The question touches on a profound aspect of human nature and Christian belief. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides insight into this struggle: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). This passage reflects the internal conflict between the sinful nature and the desire to follow God’s will, a struggle that every believer faces.
From the Christian perspective, this condition stems from the fall of man, as detailed in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve disobeyed God. This act of rebellion introduced sin into the world, affecting all of humanity. As a result, every person is born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5), predisposed to act against God’s commands.
However, the Bible also speaks of hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. In Romans 7:24-25, Paul exclaims, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” This points to the Christian belief that through faith in Christ, believers are forgiven and receive a new nature empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome sin (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Christians are called to live a life of holiness, striving to avoid sin and grow in godliness. Yet, the presence of the old sinful nature means that Christians will still falter at times. The process of sanctification—being made holy—is a lifelong journey marked by moments of failure and growth. The First Epistle of John provides comfort in this struggle: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The existence of evil actions by Christians, therefore, can be understood as part of the broader human experience of wrestling with sin, coupled with the hope and transformative power of the Gospel, which works to renew and change believers from the inside out.
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