Human Nature: What Is It?
A commentary by Larry J. Walker
United Church of God pastor, Bend, Medford and Roseburg, Oregon
Posted July 23, 2009
 Syndicated
columnist David Brooks introduced a recent column titled "Today's
Human Nature" with the rhetorical question, "Has there
ever been a time when there were so many different views of human nature
floating around all at once?"
I would add: Isn't human nature much more than a philosophical
question? What could be more important than understanding what makes
us tick?
Evolutionary psychology views the development of human nature as a
process of natural selection, thinking it is formed by mankind adapting
to changing conditions and presents it as merely a product of the survival
of the fittest.
Variations of political and religious views
Political and religious organizations differ widely on the subject.
Some say that human nature is inherently good while others insist it
is intrinsically evil.
In the political arena conservatives often take a negative view of
human nature and advocate meeting its evils with force such as war and
capital punishment. Liberals who eschew war and violence advocate education
and negotiation as the solution to man's problems, appealing to
an optimistic view of human nature.
These opposing views form the basis of a wide variety of issues that
have a direct bearing on your life and mine.
Mutually exclusive worldviews
One blogger correctly noted, "These are two opposing and mutually
exclusive worldviews,
that affect not only how one views the person, but how one views everything,
including how to order society. These two views exist side-by-side
in our world today, and are creating heated, constant, and wearying
cultural battles that are being carried on even as I type these words."
A similar dichotomy exists within the ranks of Christianity on the
most basic of all topics—what is man? And what is our destiny?
Some believe that man is a pure immortal soul trapped within an evil
body, destined to be freed from this earthly prison to enjoy uninterrupted
immortality in heaven.
"Some Christians have also taught the doctrine of 'original
sin,' in which all humans are born not only with a predisposition to
sinful behavior, but with an inherently sinful nature. The [supposed]
result is that every person is born deserving eternal damnation, whether
or not they have actually committed a sin yet."
Sorting it out!
How can we know the truth about human nature? Where can we go to find
the answers to this vital question? We could "Google" the
subject for hours and likely end up confused and overwhelmed by the
sheer volume of conflicting information.
The Bible reveals that Satan the devil set the original example for
the evils we associate with "human nature"—particularly
the misuse of free choice.
God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:26-27) with the capacity
for free choice. Adam and Eve made a seriously wrong choice to disobey
God in response to Satan's clever deception (Genesis 3:1-6), setting
a precedent that mankind has followed ever since—with tragic consequences
that continue to exacerbate our lives to this day.
Basic causes for the evils attributed to human nature begin with human
selfishness, confusion over God's purpose for human life and mankind's
hostile attitude toward practicing all of God's instructions
as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
Romans 8:7-8 tells us: "... the outlook of disordered human nature
is opposed to God, since it does not submit to God's law, and
indeed it cannot, and those who live by their natural inclinations can
never be pleasing to God" (New Jerusalem Bible).
Looking ahead!
Do you understand human nature and the effect that it has in your life?
Do you see in yourself resistance to portions of God's teachings?
Is there anything you can do to change the course of your life?
According to Ephesians 2:1-3, we all have "lived according to
this world's present path, according to ... the ruler of the spirit
that is now energizing the sons of disobedience, among whom all
of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our
flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by
nature children of wrath even as the rest …" (New English
Translation).
Notice two important points: (1) All of us have lived our lives based
on self-centered human nature, according to the path established by
the god of this world who is still actively promoting and proliferating
evil in the lives of vulnerable human beings. (2) The word "formerly" shows
that it is still possible, with God's help, to change the course
of our lives.
  To
learn more on this vital topic and insure that you take the right path,
please request or download our free booklets, Transforming
Your Life: The Process of Conversion and Is There Really a
Devil?
Related Resources
What's Wrong With Our Human Nature?
These and other fleshly weaknesses are what we call human nature: Our
selfish, fleshly desires often get us into trouble. Our natural deviousness,
including self-deception, is a major weakness of the fleshly mind. We
have a natural tendency to resent having our fleshly desires limited
by rules, even God's rules.
God's Commitment to Change Our Nature
Only God can give us the power to rightly manage our thoughts and attitudes
and resist the temptations that surround us.
What's My Purpose Here?
There must be some meaning to humanity's mixture of awesome abilities
and awful atrocities. What is the ultimate purpose and meaning of your
life?
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