Why Sinful Nature Matters for Christian Living

What is sinful nature?

The concept of sinful nature in Scripture describes an inborn human inclination toward disobedience to God, originating in Adam’s fall and persisting across generations.

Romans 3:23 underscores this reality, declaring, *'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,'* while Romans 7:18 acknowledges the internal struggle: *'For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.These passages affirm that sin is a pervasive condition of the heart, not an external behavior. This condition contrasts sharply with God’s unyielding holiness.

This inherent corruption manifests in selfishness, moral failure, and resistance to divine truth, as seen in humanity’s consistent need for redemption. Though the Fall in Genesis 3 is its ultimate source, the New Testament emphasizes its ongoing impact on even God’s redeemed people. Understanding this framework prepares us to explore how Scripture addresses the hope of transformation beyond this broken condition.

Sinful nature in Romans 7:18

In Romans 7:18, Paul starkly articulates the tension between human intention and the power of the sinful nature, declaring, *'For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the will is willing, but the deed is not'* (Romans 7:18, ESV).

This verse, embedded in Romans 7:14-25, shows Paul clearly understood an internal conflict: though the mind desires obedience to God, the flesh - symbolizing the sinful nature - undermines this resolve. The passage underscores that sin is a pervasive, innate force that distorts human will. It is not external behavior. Paul’s admission of his own complicity ('I can will what is right, but I cannot do it,' Romans 7:18) illustrates the universal human condition of being 'enslaved to sin' (Romans 7:23), a theme central to his letter. This section of Romans juxtaposes law’s demands with the futility of human effort. It frames the sinful nature as a systemic obstacle to righteousness, not an occasional one.

The struggle Paul describes reflects a core biblical truth: human will alone cannot overcome sin’s grip. His rhetorical question in Romans 7:24 ('Who will deliver me from this body of death?') crystallizes the desperation of this conflict, acknowledging both the depth of the problem and the need for divine intervention.

Paul resolves this tension in Romans 7:25 by attributing deliverance to 'Jesus Christ our Lord,' pointing forward to the redemptive work of the cross. This transition from despair to hope sets the stage for Romans 8’s exposition of the Holy Spirit’s role in transforming the believer’s nature, illustrating that the solution to the sinful nature lies not in human striving but in God’s grace. The next section will explore how this grace operates in the life of the redeemed.

Sinful nature and the law

The law's role in addressing the sinful nature is paradoxical, as it both exposes sin and proves inadequate to overcome it, as seen in Romans 3:20 and 7:7-13.

Romans 3:20 declares, 'For by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin,' highlighting the law's primary function as a revealer of sin rather than a remedy. In Romans 7:7-13, Paul illustrates this tension by acknowledging the law's spiritual goodness while confessing that the sinful nature, being 'fleshly,' resists and perverts its purposes. This paradox underscores the law's power to diagnose sin but its inability to heal the condition it identifies.

Because the law operates at the level of external behavior while the sinful nature is an internal, corrupting force, it cannot deliver true righteousness. This limitation necessitates the redemptive work of Christ, which the next section will explore in greater depth.

Why sinful nature matters today

Understanding the sinful nature is vital for modern believers seeking to live faithfully in a world where sin's influence remains potent.

Recognizing sin's power helps believers identify destructive patterns like pride, greed, and lust, which subtly erode spiritual growth. Galatians 5:16-17 warns that the flesh and Spirit are in constant conflict, urging reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than human effort to resist temptation. Ignoring this dynamic risks self-deception, as unacknowledged sin fosters complacency and hardens the heart over time.

Combating the sinful nature requires humility to admit its grip and dependence on the Spirit’s transformative work. This guards against self-righteousness, as Scripture reminds us that no one is free from sin’s influence - only Christ’s redemption can overcome it entirely.

Going deeper

To deepen your understanding of the sinful nature’s ongoing struggle, consider how Scripture contrasts fleshly desires with the Spirit’s transformative power.

Comparing Romans 7’s inner conflict with Galatians 5:16-25 - 'So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh' - highlights the need for divine enablement. Augustine’s 'two wills' theory and commentaries by N.T. Wright or John Stott offer deeper insights into this dynamic.