Human nature is complex, and the Bible has a lot to say about it. Are we naturally good, or is there something flawed about humanity from a biblical perspective? Let’s see what scripture reveals about human nature and how we can understand ourselves better through its teachings.
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What Does The Bible Say About Human Nature
Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
This verse affirms that human nature is inherently valuable because we are made in the image of God. It highlights the dignity and uniqueness of every individual, emphasizing the divine imprint on our identity.
Recognizing that each person carries the image of God helps us to appreciate the intrinsic worth and potential in all human beings, fostering a sense of respect, equality, and compassion.
Psalms 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
This verse acknowledges the fallen nature of humanity. It recognizes that from birth, we are prone to sin and have a propensity towards wrongdoing. It demonstrates that we are inherently imperfect and in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.
Understanding our human nature as tainted by sin helps us to cultivate humility, seeking God’s mercy and guidance in our lives, and to extend grace and forgiveness towards others.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
This verse emphasizes the inherent deceitfulness of the human heart. It reveals our tendency to deceive ourselves and others, leading to misguided thoughts and actions.
Acknowledging the deceitfulness of our hearts reminds us of the importance of seeking truth, wisdom, and guidance from God. It prompts us to rely on His discernment rather than solely on our own understanding.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
This verse underscores the universal nature of human sinfulness. It emphasizes that all human beings, without exception, fall short of righteousness and are prone to sin.
Recognizing our own propensity to sin cultivates humility, encouraging us to rely on God’s grace and mercy rather than self-righteousness. It also fosters empathy and compassion towards others, as we understand that we are all in need of forgiveness and redemption.
Mark 10:18
Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
This verse highlights Jesus’ response to being called “good teacher.” It emphasizes the inherent goodness and perfection that is found only in God.
Understanding that true goodness is solely attributed to God helps us to recognize our own limitations and dependency on Him. It encourages us to align our lives with God’s standard of goodness and seek His transforming power.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
This verse reinforces the universal nature of human sinfulness. It indicates that every individual has sinned and falls short of the perfect standard of God’s glory.
Acknowledging our shared experience of sin prompts us to extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness towards others as Christ has shown us. It also deepens our appreciation for the redemptive work of Jesus, who offers us forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
1 Corinthians 2:14
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
This verse highlights the spiritual aspect of human nature. It recognizes that without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, individuals are unable to fully comprehend or accept the teachings and truths that come from God.
Understanding the need for the Holy Spirit’s guidance encourages us to cultivate spiritual discernment and rely on God’s wisdom rather than our own understanding. It also prompts us to pray for spiritual insight and to share the transformative power of the Spirit with others.
Galatians 5:17
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
This verse highlights the internal struggle between the desires of the flesh and the promptings of the Holy Spirit within every believer. It recognizes the inherent tension between our sinful nature and our newfound identity in Christ.
Recognizing this conflict reminds us of the need to surrender to the leading of the Spirit, allowing Him to transform our desires and align them with God’s will. It encourages us to seek the empowerment of the Spirit to overcome the temptations of the flesh.
James 1:14-15
But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
This verse highlights the process of temptation and sin. It recognizes that temptation begins with our own evil desires, which, if not resisted, can lead to sinful actions and ultimately spiritual death.
Acknowledging this process prompts us to be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds, resisting temptation, and seeking God’s strength to overcome sinful desires. It also underscores the importance of accountability and support in our journey of faith.
Romans 7:18-19
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
This verse captures the internal struggle between the desire for goodness and the reality of human sinfulness. It highlights the tension between our aspirations for righteousness and our inability to consistently live up to those standards.
Acknowledging this struggle fosters humility and reliance on God’s grace. It also encourages us to pursue righteousness, continuously relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform our actions and align them with God’s will.
Jeremiah 13:23
Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.
This verse employs the metaphor of an Ethiopian changing his skin or a leopard changing its spots to emphasize the difficulty of transforming our inherent sinful nature.
Recognizing the inability to change our own nature prompts us to rely on the transforming power of God. It also fosters compassion towards others, understanding the innate struggle they may face in their own journey of growth and sanctification.
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
This verse highlights the link between the condition of the heart and the outward expression of sinful behavior. It indicates that the root of sin lies within the heart, manifesting in various forms of wrongdoing.
Acknowledging the connection between the heart and sinful actions prompts us to guard our hearts diligently, seeking purity and transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. It also encourages us to extend grace to those struggling with sinful behavior, recognizing the underlying heart issues.
Proverbs 28:26
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
This verse warns against the folly of placing trust solely in oneself. It emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and guidance from God, recognizing our limited understanding and propensity for error.
Embracing humility and acknowledging our need for divine wisdom enables us to make sound decisions and navigate life’s challenges with discernment. It also fosters a greater dependence on God’s providence and protection.
Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
This verse acknowledges the inclination to follow worldly desires and thoughts, which leads to a state of deserving God’s wrath. It highlights our former condition before experiencing God’s transforming grace.
Recognizing the need for God’s redemption and restoration prompts us to seek His righteousness and turn away from the patterns of the world. It also fosters gratitude for the mercy and salvation we have received through Christ.
Romans 8:7
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
This verse emphasizes the enmity between a mind governed by the flesh and God. It recognizes that our natural inclinations and worldly mindset are in opposition to the ways of God.
Acknowledging this spiritual conflict prompts us to renew our minds through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It encourages us to submit to God’s law and seek His wisdom, allowing Him to align our thoughts with His truth.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.
This verse warns against the deceptive nature of human wisdom and discernment. It cautions that seemingly right paths can ultimately lead to destruction.
Acknowledging the limitations of our own understanding prompts us to seek God’s guidance and align our choices with His will. It also fosters a humble posture of learning and seeking truth, recognizing the need for divine wisdom in navigating life’s complexities.
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
This verse emphasizes the principle of reaping what is sown. It highlights the consequences of our choices and actions, whether they align with the desires of the flesh or the promptings of the Spirit.
Acknowledging the principle of sowing and reaping encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle that pleases God, sowing seeds of righteousness and reaping the rewards of eternal life. It also prompts us to exercise discernment and caution, avoiding the destructive outcomes of following worldly desires.
Proverbs 21:2
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
This verse highlights the importance of examining our motives and intentions before God. It recognizes that although we may justify our actions, it is ultimately God who scrutinizes the true intentions of our hearts.
Acknowledging the divine evaluation of our motives prompts us to seek purity and authenticity in our relationship with God. It encourages us to align our hearts with His will, allowing His transformative power to purify our motives and intentions.
Mark 7:21-23
For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.
This verse highlights the source of evil thoughts and actions by emphasizing that they originate from within the human heart.
Recognizing the inherent fallenness of our hearts prompts us to surrender our lives to Christ, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. It also reminds us of our ongoing need for repentance and dependence on God’s grace to overcome the power of sin.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
This verse encourages selflessness and humility in our relationships with others. It emphasizes the importance of considering the needs and interests of others before our own.
Embracing this mindset fosters healthy relationships and promotes unity within the body of Christ. It also reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus and witnesses to the transformative power of His gospel.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
This verse encourages believers to prioritize heavenly perspectives and eternal values over temporal concerns. It emphasizes the need to align our thoughts and desires with the will of God.
Embracing this mindset prompts us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, allowing His priorities to shape our attitudes and actions. It also helps us to navigate worldly temptations and distractions, focusing on what truly matters in light of eternity.
1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
This verse speaks to the inherent conflict between sinful desires and the well-being of our souls. It urges believers to resist worldly temptations and live in accordance with their identity as children of God.
Recognizing the spiritual battle we face prompts us to actively guard our hearts and minds, seeking God’s strength to overcome sinful desires. It also encourages us to find solace and support in the fellowship of other believers who share the same spiritual journey.