“We want to do what’s right, but we are prepared to do what’s wrong. . . . The Reformers called this predisposition total depravity because it affects every part of ous. . . . We can’t fix this condition on our own. We have fallen and we can’t get up.”- John Ortberg
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you so angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”- Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV)
As John Ortberg moves on in Chapter 4 of Everybody’s Normal . . ., he counsels that the decision to sin always includes this thought. We buy into the idea that we cannot really trust God to watch out for our well-being. So, like Eve, when we make God a little severe, that makes it a little easier to justify disobeying Him.
Most significantly, Pastor Ortberg cautions, the Evil One strikes at our vulnerabilities. Furthermore, when we play with temptation and do it in isolation — fail to let others know what tempts us — we increase our vulnerability. Hence, we need God or another person to challenge our thinking. Because, with Adam, the casual act of a bite of fruit spelled the end of paradise.
However, John notes, people in our current culture speak of believing in the basic good of humankind. But in the Fall, something called depravity happened to human nature. Therefore, the author explains:
“Depravity is a spiritual condition — our readiness to harm others or let harm come to them if it will help reach our goals of security, ego gratification, or the satisfaction of desire.”
In conclusion, when God forbid Adam and Ever to eat from one tree, John stresses, God did something of fundamental importance for community. God gave Adam and Eve a choice. Because true community is never forced on anyone.
Today’s question: In what situations do you find yourself prepared to do what’s wrong? Please share.
Coming Monday: the November Short Meditation, “His light goes before us”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Imposter’s phenomenon”