Are We Born Evil?
Our Creator says we were created flesh with a nature of flesh, and if we continue living to the flesh we must die (John 3:6; Rom. 8:12-13). What is the flesh nature in man that we were given?
The deeds of the flesh are evident (Gal. 5:19-21). They are evil. Put a “d” on evil and you have devil. That’s what man’s nature is (John 6:70). Man’s heart is more deceitful than all else and desperately sick, it is beyond understanding (Jer. 17:9).
Man’s nature is capable of doing anything wicked—absolutely anything—while God’s nature is only good. Just study these Scriptures, and be prepared for a shock: Deuteronomy 28:53; Isaiah 9:19-20; Ezekiel 5:10; 2 Kings 18:27; Isaiah 36:12; Zechariah 11:9; Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21, and 2 Timothy 3:2-5.
In our fleshly state, we are considered as beasts or dogs (Eccl. 3:18; Matt. 7:6; 15:26; Rev. 22:15; Psalm 22:16, 20). Man is evil from his youth (Gen. 8:21). Even Jesus was born of the flesh with a fleshly nature, not knowing enough to refuse His evil impulses and choose good over evil when He was a child. He had the same evil nature we have, for if He hadn’t, He could not have been our example of how to overcome (Is. 7:14-16; Heb. 5:8; 1 John 4:1, 2; 2 John 7; John 16:33; Rev. 3:21). Remember, everyone who comes in the flesh is born with a fleshly nature.
Jesus, who created us, says we are wicked from the womb and we go astray from birth (Col. 1:16; Psalm 58:3). We have all seen a child throw a temper tantrum, so we know this is true! No, you don’t have to teach a child to be evil, do you? Instead, you must teach a child to be good, because human nature is not good. In Proverbs 22:6, it says we are to train up a child in the way he should go, they must be trained in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:15-17). This is why Jesus said He was not good (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19; Rom. 7:18). Yes, Jesus knew what was in man (John 2:25; 6:70; Matt. 16:23).
We were all born with evil natures that must be overcome (Rev. 2:11, 26; 3:5). Our evil natures can be overcome, if we practice righteousness for God zealously until God gives us the desire to do good from the heart (Eph. 6:6; Matt. 5:20; 6:1).
When we are zealous in doing good, God will crush Satan in us (Rom. 16:20). That is why true disciples of Jesus Christ are told not to get weary in doing good (2 Thess. 3:13; Gal. 6:9-10; Rom. 2:7). Then, with God’s help, we can truly be set free from that evil nature (1 Peter 5:10). Thank you, Jesus!
Consider these Scriptures: John 6:44, 65; Ephesians 2:1-3; and Titus 1:16. Remember, the people who killed Jesus Christ and the apostles were very religious (Phil. 3:2; John 16:2). Many religions throughout history have grown great because they killed off their competitors. In the sixteenth century, for example, over 50 million people died. Those who killed them thought they were worshiping God, (Mark 7:7) however, they still had the rotten natures they’d always had, because they had not been told how to overcome.
Yes, we are born evil! Yes, we must overcome that evil heart and become pure and righteous, living to please the Lord each day by living His Way (Matt. 5:6, 8; Acts 10:35; Rev. 22:12-14). We must do the practicing and God does the perfecting (1 Cor. 3:7; Col. 2:19; 1 Thess. 4:9-10). God’s word says if we do not practice righteousness for God daily, we will remain children of the devil (1 John 3:7, 10).❑
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