Does the Bible give clarity?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I’m studying philosophy and thinking about what it means to be a natural man or woman. There’s plenty of resources but does the Bible give clarity? – N.P.
A: The Apostle Paul writes, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV).
Every person born into the world is born in sin and is by nature a child of wrath – separated from God and in ourselves utterly helpless, even though this natural person often puts up a religious front and endeavors by his or her own efforts to please God. They may be very religious, but often it is based on works.
The Bible teaches that none of us can improve our fallen nature. We cannot, by ourselves, please God. Good acts cannot make us worthy and acceptable in the sight of God. The natural person may be learned, able, cultured and, so far as natural gifts are developed, a magnificent specimen of humanity. Our worldly system tricks us into believing we’re good, when sin has made us calloused and hard. Our natural wisdom comes not from God, but is earthly and sensual.
Scripture reveals that the natural person is utterly incapable of either knowing or understanding the things of God. The only hope for the natural man or woman is to repent of their sin and turn by faith to Jesus Christ. How is this possible? Jesus came out of Heaven to this earth and put upon Himself the cloak of human nature. He did this to relate to us, yet without sinning. Jesus showed us what we might become, and what God intended us to be.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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