Are People Basically Good?

It’s a comforting belief: that people are basically good. We want to think that, deep down, everyone means well—that with the right environment, education, or opportunity, human beings will naturally choose what’s right.

But is this idea true?

An uplifting thought, we want to believe that people are good by nature. But history, human behavior, and Scripture reveal that we humans are sinful. In fact, understanding the truth about human nature is essential to understanding why we need a Savior.

History Tells a Different Story

If people are basically good, why is the history of the world filled with war, oppression, and injustice? Why do we see corruption in every culture, every government, and every generation?

The 20th century alone—supposedly the most enlightened era—saw more deaths from war and genocide than any other. The problem isn’t just “out there.” G.K. Chesterton cleverly acknowledged the sin in the human race as he replied to a newspaper’s question of “What is wrong with the world?” with the short response “Dear Sirs, I am.”

The Bible Is Clear About Human Nature

Scripture doesn’t sugarcoat the human condition. Romans 3:10 says, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Jeremiah 17:9 declares, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.”

This doesn’t mean people are incapable of doing good things. It means that, apart from God, our nature is bent toward self-centeredness, pride, and rebellion. We don’t just make mistakes—we sin. And sin separates us from a holy God.

Our Conscience Testifies to Our Guilt

We all have a moral compass—a sense of right and wrong. But we also have something else: guilt. We know we fall short of our own standards, let alone God’s. That’s why we make excuses, hide our failures, or try to justify our actions.

Our conscience isn’t proof of our goodness—it’s evidence that we know we’re not as good as we should be.

The Gospel Is Good News Because We’re Not Good Enough

If people were basically good, we wouldn’t need a Savior. But the message of Christianity is not that we’re good people who need a little help—it’s that we’re sinners who need to be rescued.

Jesus didn’t come to improve our behavior. He came to give us a new heart. Through His death and resurrection, we’re not just forgiven—we’re transformed.

A Final Thought

Believing that people are basically good may feel hopeful, but it ultimately leaves us powerless to explain or overcome the brokenness in our world—and in ourselves.

The truth is, we’re not good enough. But the good news is, Jesus is. And through Him, we can be made new.

(Editor's Note: This article was posted first on Dr. McFarland's website HERE.)

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