“The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.”
Psalm 58:3
In our culture it is very easy to dismiss what the Bible says concerning human nature. Generally, our world proposes that human beings are naturally good people who sometimes do bad things. They advocate that any intensely wayward behavior or disorder can be chalked up to a malnourished childhood, societal oppression, or simply an unmet need. When human nature is given such a benevolent stroke of sincerity, almost any action can therefore be justifiable. For instance, the world may say: “Are you unhappy in your marriage? If so, it is not because of you, oh poor friend, it’s because of that other person who just isn’t right for you! Just leave and do what makes you happy.”
Do what makes you happy. That is the whisper of the world today. But oh, how foolish we are to believe the lie. We imagine and paint scenarios in our minds of the “good life”; we fantasize what life on “the other side” may look like. We play god by living off our desires. No, we let our desires become our god.
Oh please do not miss the psalmist’s words today: the wicked are estranged from the womb. This is the natural state of any human being. From the womb we know evil, as we grow we do evil, and as we are old we seek evil. It is not to say we are as terrible and despicable as we could be; rather, it is to say that our desires are naturally bent towards throwing off the chains of God’s authority. It is not necessarily pure-evil-all-the-time behavior, but it is a daily waywardness which takes the form of living for the god “ME.” It is not even doing the most heinous of crimes, but it is daily participating in the first crime: pride before God. You see, being wicked from the womb is our natural state. We naturally rebel against the Lord and His anointed, Jesus Christ. We are naturally at odds with our Creator.
Oh reader, how I implore you to understand the state of your condition apart from God’s rescue of your life. Without Him, how can you do any eternal good? All you know is to live for yourself and your kingdom. Yes you may truly “care” for others, but what is that worth when all is said and done? The best way to live your life is to bring others to God; but how can you do so if you refuse His complete authority and rule in your life?
Reader, this is why you need a Savior. You may try your ‘best’ — and some people say that God accepts your ‘best’ — but I’m sorry to tell you that even your ‘best’ effort is still a dirty rag to a holy God (Isa 64:6). You are still under His judgment for your rebellion.
But praise be to God for sending His very Son, God in the flesh, to bear your sin upon a cross. Forgiveness is offered to you if you will accept it. Do you see your need? Will you accept God’s grace?