The Bible has a lot to say about the sinful nature of mankind. From the very beginning, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the human heart and has stayed there ever since (Genesis 3). The Bible teaches that all people, by nature, are sinful and in need of a Savior.
All People Are Born With a Sinful Nature
According to the Bible, every human being inherits a sinful nature from the very first humans, Adam and Eve. When they sinned, human nature was corrupted and passed down to all their descendants. King David wrote, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). Paul also teaches that sin entered the world through Adam and then death through sin (Romans 5:12). Even from birth, before people can do anything good or bad, they have a sinful nature.
Evidence of a Sinful Nature
There are many verses in Scripture that demonstrate people are born with a tendency toward sin:
- No one has to teach children to do wrong – it comes naturally (Proverbs 22:15)
- Everyone has turned away from God; all have turned bad (Romans 3:12)
- The human heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)
- All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23)
- Not even one person is righteous (Romans 3:10)
The evidence is clear – sin is part of human nature from birth. Even small children display selfishness, jealousy, anger, and other sins without being taught.
The Effects of a Sinful Nature
Man’s sinful nature has wide ranging effects on all aspects of human life and society. A few major effects include:
It Damages Relationships
Sin naturally pulls people away from God and from one another. It causes hostility and divisions between people (Galatians 5:19-21). Pride, envy, bitterness and other sins damage marriages, friendships, families, churches, and communities.
It Distorts Perspectives
The sinful mind cannot understand spiritual truths of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). Sin distorts every person’s perspectives on life, causing them to see things from a self-centered view rather than seeing clearly.
It Enslaves People
Sin is addictive and leads to more sin. People are lured and enticed by their own evil desires (James 1:14). Sin ends up controlling and enslaving people, even though they think they are free (John 8:34).
It Causes Death and Pain
Sin brings about both spiritual and physical death. It separates people from God (Isaiah 59:2) and leads to more pain and suffering in the world. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). If left unchecked, sin causes complete destruction.
No One is Immune from Sin
No one can escape the effects of sin completely. From the richest to the poorest, the most noble to the most wicked – all are infected and suffer from the same disease of sin.
Good Deeds Cannot Cancel Out Sin
The Bible is clear that no amount of good works can cancel out or remove man’s sinful nature. People’s hearts remain sinful even when they do good things (Jeremiah 17:9). Outwardly people may look righteous but inwardly are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:28).
Following Laws and Regulations Cannot Fix Sin
The Law given to Moses and Israel did not solve the problem of sin; rather, it revealed the utter sinfulness of man. The more laws people tried to follow, the more aware they became of their own failures and tendencies to sin (Romans 7:7-12). The Law condemned people but could not remove the sinful nature.
Social Reforms Cannot Cure Sin
While social reforms may lead to some improvements in society, they cannot rid the human heart of sin. Seeing the terrible effects of sin in the world should motivate people to make positive changes. However, only the Gospel has the power to inwardly transform and renew human nature.
Overcoming Man’s Sinful Nature
Is there any hope for overcoming the sin problem? Yes, God has provided the solution through Jesus Christ. What man could not do for himself, God did by sending His Son.
Jesus Lived a Sinless Life
Jesus was born into this world as a man but did not inherit a sinful nature as all other humans. He lived a totally righteous life even though He was tempted (Hebrews 4:15). Only Jesus has ever lived without sin.
Jesus Died to Pay for Sins
The sacrificial death of Christ on the cross fully paid for the sins of mankind. God’s justice and mercy meet together at the cross. His death purchased forgiveness and opened the way to eternal life with God (Ephesians 1:7).
Jesus Rose Again in Power
Christ rose from the dead on the third day, conquering the power of sin and death. His resurrection demonstrates His power over all the effects of sin and gives hope to all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
Faith in Christ Transforms Lives
When a person repents and believes the Gospel, they are forgiven, justified, and spiritually reborn. Believers receive a new nature that begins to reverse the effects of sin in their life and relationships. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist sin and grow in righteousness (Galatians 5:16-23).
Conclusion
The Bible clearly teaches that all people are born with a nature bent toward sin and are helpless to fix themselves. Even the most noble efforts cannot root out sin or undo its devastating effects in the world. But Jesus Christ came to rescue sinners and offers spiritual life to all who trust in Him. God Himself has provided the solution to man’s sin problem through His Son.