INGRAINED EVILNESS
OF MAN
INTRODUCTION
Ingrained evilness of man is a person identified as evil through a persistent conscious intent to cause harm, having lack of empathy or remorse, with a desire for power or pleasure despite the suffering of others.
Humans inherit a sinful nature from the first disobedience which originated in the Garden of Eden in partaking of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6) with violence later coming on scene through Cain’s slaying of his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8). Evilness of man came to a boiling point in the pre-Flood days of Noah when God looked upon the earth that it had become corrupt; He revealed to Noah (a righteous man) that the end of all flesh is come before me for the earth is filled with violence through them (Genesis 6:12-13).
Ingrained Evilness of Man
Hardened Towards Sin
The engrained evilness of man was identified by Solomon: This is the evil among all things that are done under the sun; that here is one event to all; the heart of sons of all men is full of evil, and madness is in the hearts while they live, and after that they go that they go to the dead (Ecclesiastes 9:3).
It was noted that a very great evil, a very sore one, the worse of evils, is to harden oneself in sin, and to despise godliness as an unprofitable thing. We are witnessing those words being played out as ungodliness is allowed to flourish. I thank God for those who are attempting to make a difference but the ingrained evilness of man is making it difficult to make headway; identifying a need for a great spiritual revival to navigate such a change.
Contend for the Old Path
In regards toward an offsetting of the ingrained evils of mankind; the Prophet Jeremiah said: Thus saith the Lord, stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths (way of righteousness), and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls, but they said, we will not walk therein.
I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet but they said, we will not hearken (Jeremiah 6:-16-17). It was noted that the people’s stubborn refusal to walk in the ways of true righteousness was often mentioned by Jeremiah. Moving in their own paths (sinfulness) and following their own way (evilness of man) could lead only to destruction.
No Reverence for God
Where there is no fear of God, no reverence for God, every evil can and will abound. It was noted that the idea that we humans will be good without God is a deceptive fallacy. When people are devoid of the knowledge and wisdom that come from believing God and having reverence for Him, they become morally corrupt, exceedingly evil, violent and destructive. As the ingrained evilness of man is expounded upon; those words come to fruition through allowing evilness to reign rather than the righteous of God.
Enhancement of evilness of is multiplied many times over through the Internet, Mainstream and Social Media, television and movies; along with the persons of influence promoting its acceptability. In some instances even the church has entered into the arena of acceptance. The ingrained evilness of man is difficult to be rooted out; in that oftentimes it is profitable for its continuation.
Appeal to the Wicked
The ingrained evilness of man (failure to repent) has often necessitated God’s eventual judgment. The Prophet Ezekiel, in speaking the word of the Lord revealed: As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn you, turn you from your evil ways (Ezekiel 33:12).
Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” contain and appeal to the wicked: Consider the fearful danger that you are in: You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder.
You have no interest in any mediator, and nothing to hold on to save yourself, nothing to keep the flames of wrath away, nothing of your own, nothing that you have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment. Those words still ring loud and clear today towards endangered souls who are about to descend into eternity without the benefit of a Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ), unless repentance comes prior to Judgment Day.
Judgment Day
The ingrained evilness of man; if not dealt with on earth, it will be when life on earth is finalized. Scripture reveals: It is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). This revelation stresses the certainty of man’s future judgment. It was noted that there is no reincarnation; every person gets a chance to prepare while here on earth.
Apostle John spoke of such a judgment, in writing: I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. The books were opened, and the other book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things, which were written in the books, according to their works (life) (Revelation 20:12). Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (a literal burning Hell) (Revelation 20:15).
Apostle Paul spoke of the alternative: Being set free from sin (through Christ), we become the servants (dedicated) to God, having our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin (the ingrained evilness of man) is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ as our Lord (Romans 6:22-23). Salvation of the soul lies with the choice being made, and lived, prior to Judgment Day.
Proper Preparation
Apostle Paul wrote: At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10:11). If we make this confession now, we are saved by Christ. If we make this confession later, compelled to do so by God’s judgment, our own words will condemn us for refusing to trust in Christ.
Let us make a clean break from ungodly and sinful surroundings, that would attempt to hold us in its grip (such as sinful attributes) rather than firmly entrenched in the Word of God. Scripture reveals: Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking to Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Let us not become so attached to anything (including sin) which would preclude a heavenly reward through Christ Jesus.
Subjected to Immoral Ways
The Prophet Jeremiah cried out: O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved, How long shall your vain (wicked) thoughts lodge with you (Jeremiah 4:14)? It was noted that such thinking can arise from many sources: Absorbing immoral movies and television; carelessly surfing the Internet; listening to malicious talk; ignoring the Word of God; giving into a materialistic worldview.
A question was asked: Will we allow the sanctifying Scriptures and the purifying blood of Christ to cleanse our heart and mind or will we persist in sin-filled thinking and experience God's judgment? Is the ingrained evilness of man, so prevalent in one’s life, that it would hinder a positive response to such a question? The enemy of our soul (Satan) will continue to flaunt sin-filled desires before us; if allowed.
Love of God
Scripture reveals: God so loved the world (you and I), that he gave his only begotten Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) that whosoever believes on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. The only assurance of eternal life, through Christ, is confession of one's sins, with the ingrained evilness of man being lifted.
Scripture reveals God’s desire for mankind: God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him (the Lord Jesus Christ) might be saved (John 3:17). Apostle Paul wrote: If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature (creation); old things are passed away (pre-conversion life); behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
It was noted that there is a decisive break with the old life at the moment of salvation. All things become new are the abiding results of a Christian’s union with Christ; at that moment a person enters the world of light, truth, and love. When we experience deliverance from guilt, and the joy of salvation, we discover something that cannot be duplicated by the world. The love of Christ that redeems us is that of an abiding presence.
Rejection of God's Love
Scripture reveals: He that believes on him (the Lord Jesus Christ) is not condemned; but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God. This the condemnation, that light (the Lord Jesus Christ) is come into the world, and men loved darkness (ingrained evilness of man) rather than light, lest his deeds should be reproved (exposed).
He that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God (John 3:18-21). Apostle John wrote: He that believes on the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) has everlasting life (eternal life in a heavenly abode); and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides (remains) on him (eternal punishment in Hell) (John 3:36). The decision is up to each individual as to they will abide after life on this earth is finished.
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