Where the Good News of Jesus Christ… Intersects with the Soul of Man!

What Is the Nature of Man?

When we are around other people, we tend to put our very best foot forward. We want to be seen in the eyes of others in the most favorable light possible. It comes quite naturally for us to desire this. However, an honest assessment of the very thoughts, actions and intents of our heart, in light of Scripture, reveals a very different and startling portrait. The Bible teaches that men and women, by nature, are sinners.

The Bible says that; “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23…and that “There is none righteous, no not one.” Romans 3:10 It says that we are “…by nature children of wrath,…” Ephesians 2:3b, and that “even our righteousness is like filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6b

Even the very best things that we do are still ruined with sin because that is our nature…we are sinners. It is who we are at the very core. The sinful acts that we do are symptoms pointing to the desperate condition of our inward being. Those symptoms reveal the true condition of our heart.

This sin-nature is traced all the way back to the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and their transgression against God’s commands in the Garden of Eden. Because Adam sinned all mankind is born with this sin-nature; “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,… all sinned.” Romans 5:12

This can be a very difficult pill to swallow. Most people, when asked, would say; “I am a good person.” And by human standards they may very well be. But consider this; The Bible says that God gave us “…His law as a tutor…” Galatians 3:24b “for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20b

Consider some of God’s laws as they are laid out in the Ten Commandments. God said;

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16
Have you ever told a lie?

“You shall not steal” Exodus 20:15
Have you ever stolen anything? Even as a child, did you ever take a pencil or someone else’s toy or anything that wasn’t yours?

“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13
You may never have physically taken someone’s life but have you ever felt hatred toward someone in your heart? Jesus said; “You have heard that it was said to those of old. ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment;…” Matthew 5:21&22a

Jesus is saying that if you have ever felt hatred toward someone than you have committed murder in your heart. This sheds remarkable light on how pure God’s standard of righteousness really is.

“You shall not commit adultery” Exodus 20:14
Have you ever looked at someone else with lustful thoughts in your heart? Jesus said; “You have heard that it was said. ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27&28An honest reflection on even just these few laws of God reveals how desperately wicked we are and how far short we fall of God’s perfect standard of righteousness. Do you see how God’s law is a tutor, revealing to us the reality and severity of our sin?

Ultimately our sin points to the truth that we are in rebellion against God, having broken the first commandment that “you shall have no other God’s before Me.” Exodus 20:3

Romans 1:18-25 explains:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!

As ones who have sinned against a holy God and who have not honored him as God, we are deserving of His wrath…punishment.