Sexual norms are no longer normal. We have reached the point in society where we can’t even define man or woman. Whatever new world awaits when it comes to relationships one thing that will not change is human nature. Many political leaders and educational leaders seem to have zero grasp of the laws of human nature and I blame the schools. Human nature should be taught in schools early on because it would save so many lives from pain.

And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!” Genesis 16:5 ESV

When Human Nature Goes Wrong

Abraham is 86 years old and has no children. He left home for an unknown land with his wife when he was 75 years old. Who will be heir to all that has been accumulated? Will he train up one of his employees to take on the family business? This desperation leads to his wife offering up a suggestion on how to bring family into the family business. Abraham’s wife offers her personal servant to Abraham so he could have children.

This goes predictably wrong because of human nature. God understand human nature better that humans and he has left us with wisdom books of the bible that educate us on how people operate and react to situations.

Three Keys to Human Nature

Below are three things everyone should know about human nature straight from the Bible.

#1 God made us to work. Don’t give Handouts

Human nature says that people will not be responsible if not held responsible. If someone is giving stuff away then there will be those who will take it. It is good for the soul when people are diligent and hard working. At the same time God also demands we support the family. It is a paradox in the way western society is organized currently.

4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. Proverbs 10:4-5 ESV

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

Government as directed by society gives out food and housing to the poor. This by the law of human nature creates poorer people because the needs are taken care of by government without needing to work for them. Human nature however can be supported by demanding that men and women work together in marriage and providing incentives and support for that arrangement.

#2 God’s Wisdom cannot be Forsaken

Human nature is arrogant and self-seeking. What we see in society today is a fast-changing moral code that no one can keep up with. Think about how fast we went from marriage for same sex (Obama was against this at the start of his presidency to for it by the end of his presidency) to trans topics where the word woman can no longer be defined.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 ESV

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:21-22 ESV

God made these laws of human nature and he will teach us these rules and give us instruction on how to use them for the benefit of society. The only problem here is that one must acknowledge that God is the source of truth. When we deny God then the Bible tells us we become “fools” and this is being played out right now in a very foolish society.

#3 Don’t follow your Heart and Don’t live your own Truth

People are not basically good. If you think you are good or you think that society is basically good then you failed at understanding human nature. People are mostly selfish, violent, and liars.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 ESV

18 [Jesus speaking] But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Matthew 15:18-19 ESV

When society teach people to “follow their heart” they are in effect saying to follow your evil desires. Your heart tells you to be famous so go and be self-absorbed. When someone tells me they are living “their truth” they are telling me they don’t care what is real they will live a self-absorbed life contrary to the rules of human nature.

Apply these Rules of Human Nature

When Sara told Abraham to take her servant a wife neither Abraham or Sara thought through the effects of human nature on the situation. Sara broke all three of these rules of human nature.

#1 This new person she introduced to the relationship was given. Sara in effect gave her own place in the family away to someone who should not have held that elevated spot.

#2 God had promised Abraham children so this solution from Sara ignores God’s promise and God’s plan. Was God consulted? No because if he had been she would have been given the wisdom and instruction needed for this situation.

#3 Sara becomes victim to her own evil heart. When this servant becomes pregnant the envy and anger unexpectedly overflow. Sara treats this woman badly and evil compounds evil. Sara can’t live her own truth or follow her heart because they have failed her.

Best Way Forward

You can apply these three keys of Human Nature to your own life and spare yourself endless pain and evil.

#1 Get busy and work. I am not talking about a single day but decades. If you apply yourself to something for 10 years you will be an expert. You will be paid well and you will be able to actually help others who want to work.

#2 Read your Bible daily, learn in a local church, and pray for God to give you wisdom and instruction. If you ignore him you will fail in this life and the one to come.

#3 Do not follow you heart and do not make your own reality. Give up the life your evil heart wants and take up the life that God wants for you.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV

Thanks for reading. I pray this was helpful to your personal devotion or small group bible study.