What is your view of human nature? Are you primarily someone created in the image of God who, yes, still sins? Or are you primarily a bad person who occasionally does good—but is always standing on a banana peel ready to slip?

People in our society tend to believe one of two great errors about human nature. The first error is not that we think too highly of man but rather we don’t think highly enough. Man’s inherent dignity has been degraded unnecessarily.

The second error is not that we think man is so sinful but rather we don’t think of him as sinful enough. We are all much more depraved than we let on (e.g., if our wives knew our secret thoughts, we would all be in trouble).

The nature of man—#44 on my list of 70 things every man needs to know—is that we are paradoxically a product of both the creation and the fall. 

When we observe the animals, we notice that we are the highest order of creatures by a wide margin. Even our intuition tells us that human beings have dignity. Christianity teaches that mankind is God’s crowning achievement—the full expression of His creative genius—and that He has good plans for us.

In Psalm 8:4–6, King David asks the Lord, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” We all wonder that, of course. He goes on to say, “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.”

But just as the creation made us like a god, the fall made us like a devil. Don’t be fooled by the world’s low view of man; it’s so much worse than that. In the heart of every man is the ability to revile people made in the image of God while simultaneously worshiping idols. “All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 13:3).

Neither be deceived by the world’s high view of man; it’s so much greater than that. You—and every person you will see or speak to today—are God’s most excellent and beloved creation. He was at His very best when He made you.

Our dual nature is the ultimate paradox. Yet one day, all this—whatever makes you struggle or causes you to stumble—will be a distant memory. In the meantime, extend grace to yourself and to others who are caught up in the perplexities of the paradox of human nature. Give people the benefit of the doubt, and show them compassion. Hope the best for them. Love them in the same way you want to be loved.

And when they break or stumble and sin against themselves and you, which they will, hold them accountable, of course, but have mercy too. We can do this because we know that they, like us, are made in the image of God. I’m going to always give you a break. Please give me one too.

 Reflection and Discussion Questions

• Heart: When you consider that you are both glorious and fallen, how does that tension shape the way you see yourself? How about the way you see others?
• Head: How does Psalm 8 deepen your understanding of what it means to be made in God’s image?
• Hands: This week, is there someone to whom God wants you to give the benefit of the doubt? And who is someone you should love more by holding them accountable?