This question might not seem like a big one, but how you answer will greatly affect your worldview: Are we born good or bad?
When approaching the question, it’s important to define the terms we’re discussing; like what we mean by “good” and “bad.”
Do we mean good as “absence of any wrong”? Or good in regard to a kind of moral standard–one that we define? As in, “She’s a good person.”
Likewise, when we say “born good or bad,” do we mean that literally–at the moment one enters the world? Or do we mean something broader, like one’s upbringing, or pre-adulthood?
There are many opinions on these, but if the terms are not defined, you’ll have a much harder time coming to an understanding.
On the question of what is “good,” I think when most of us use that word, we gravitate toward assuming some kind of subjective moral standard. Again, one that we define.
It’s a lot more comfortable. We can feel a lot better about ourselves if we judge ourselves to have passed our own test.
Yet, when you ask anyone if they have ever done anything wrong, they will admit that of course, they have. No one is perfect.
So, when we logically consider that we’ve all done wrong things in our lives, we could naturally admit that we are not good. (Not that we wouldn’t consider ourself a “good person,” but that we’ve done things that are not good.)
Then the question becomes: Did we learn those behaviors from somewhere? Would we not have done them otherwise?
Or were we born with a propensity to do those things we acknowledge are not good? Would we have done them inevitably, regardless of outside influences?
This is the heart of the matter. And I think it’s an easy one to answer. Especially for parents of young children.
You do not have to teach a two-year-old how to lie.
“Did you take the cookie I told you not to?”
“No!”
“Then why are there cookie crumbs on the carpet in your room?”
“I don’t know!”
The propensity to be selfish, to lie, to steal, comes naturally to us. We are born with it. We must be taught to share. We are blessed if we have loving parents who will discipline us and teach us right from wrong.
The Bible affirms that we are all born with this propensity to do wrong. It calls it “sin.”
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned –Romans 5:12
The apostle Paul reminds us that sin entered the world through one man: Adam. It was his and Eve’s disobedience to God that caused sin to enter the human race. And the desire that is against our Creator is present in all of us from the moment we become a living being.
The Consequences
Here’s where this is important. And it’s uncomfortable for us to wrestle with. Because of our sin, we all stand guilty before God, no matter how much of a good person we think we are.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God –Romans 3:23
What does this ultimately mean? Paul goes on to tell us in Romans 6:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans 6:23
Though we rightly deserve eternal punishment, God offers us mercy. Though we can do nothing to remove our guilt before a perfect and holy God, He offers us grace as a free gift.
This, quite simply, is the good news! It is the gospel.
We don’t need to chafe at the thought that we are not born “good.” Rather, we can acknowledge it, turn from our sin, and thank the Lord that He is merciful and loving.
Where does thinking we are born good lead?
But let’s look at the opposite side for a moment. If we hold to the idea that we are born good, we won’t look at the need for a Savior in the same way.
If we consider ourselves to be a “good person,” at least better than a “bad” person, won’t we be okay in the end?
Think with me for a moment. If we define the moral standard that makes a person good, what are the chances we will consider ourselves to have passed that test? Pretty high, I’d say.
And if we have passed that test, then what need is there to be totally dependent on a Savior to be made right with God?
And yet, that is what Scripture unequivocally says is our situation with God.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. –1 John 1:8-10
The bad news is that we are not born good. We all have sin, from birth. The great news is that we can be forgiven.
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. –Romans 10:9
