Is man inherently evil? Are we born evil or do we become evil as a result of our environment?
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
(Rom. 7:18-20)
Man is born with a sin problem because of the fall of Adam, and evil is present on the inside of him. Each person releases and displays different levels of evil, according to the issues and the constraints of one’s environment and upbringing.
“Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul” (Prov. 22:24-25).
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits'” (1 Cor. 15:33).
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15).
Jesus solved this problem by giving the Christian power over this inherent evil – commonly referred to as “the flesh.”
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
(Gal. 5:16-17)
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally on WFMJ, the NBC affiliate, reaching thousands weekly.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.