There is an age-old question that never goes away, never stops being a topic of discussion, and never seems to be absolutely answered—at least for those who are not Christians. The question is, Is man basically good or evil? 

The answer is that because of the taint of sin, man has been infected and tainted from the moment of conception. Romans 5:12 (TLB) says, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. His sin spread death throughout all the world, so everything began to grow old and die, for all sinned.” Sinful humanity has resulted in infected and tainted human bodies, which can result in why some children are born with infirmities and deformities. A child is born with pure, good, and innocent spirit, but even that is soon infected and defiled by the sin in this world that has defiled every aspect of this world. (If you’ve ever seen two toddlers fighting over a toy, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Innocence is short-lived!) And no one except Jesus has ever been excluded from being infected by sin. Let me explain further…

God’s intent in the creation of man was to create us in His image. Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) says, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image…” Psalms 139:13-14 says, “For you have formed my inward parts: you have covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.”

Everything God created was created for good. God’s Word tells us that it is He who gives witty ideas and inventions. Satan tries to pervert everything from God for the use of evil. That’s true for media, computers, the internet, relationships, sex, anything.  Anything God created Satan desires to ruin and pervert. The second something good from God is created, Satan tries to pervert its use!

Likewise, Satan works to pervert the character qualities God gave us for good. Godly character qualities are to be developed within our personalities. For example, being steadfast in our faith and faithful, determined, and purposeful in living it out is a good and godly quality. Being stubborn, bullheaded, and unreasonable is the perversion of steadfastness. God wants us to be steadfast but not to be stubborn. Being stubborn hinders God from helping us. In Psalm 81:12 TLB, God says, “So I am letting them go their blind and stubborn way, living according to their own desires.”

Being steadfast can help us greatly in defeating troubled times in our lives. When we become steadfast against every attack of the devil upon our lives, we will begin to see the attacks slow down or stop. When we steadfastly say, “No devil, I won’t fall for your trap to go to that perverse internet site. No devil, I won’t accept this cold – By Jesus stripes, I am healed.  No devil, I won’t stay in unforgiveness. I rebuke you! I don’t care what that person has done to me; I will love them with the love of Jesus. Be gone in Jesus’ name!”  That is steadfastness that will transform you in the most wonderful ways! When we don’t let the devil pervert our character qualities and instead cooperate with God as He develops godly character, we will win many more battles than we will lose. When it comes to resisting the devil, God wants us to be steadfast against him. God wants us to take on the heart and attitude spoken by Isaiah in Isaiah 50:7 “For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”

Satan would like to pervert your thoughts, actions, and life using the defiled influence of the sinful world around you! And he can destroy a life unchecked quickly! The development of godly character takes a lifetime but it is beautiful to see a Christian who hungers for God and is steadfast to let the Holy Spirit change them from the inside out. It is His will and purpose as we read in Philippians 1:6 (NIV) “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Though you were tainted by this world from your birth, you were redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and created to let God rule and reign in your heart. We were created in His image to live life His way. Jesus died for your sins so you could be free to live for God in His image. So, rise up in His strength and character, resist the devil trying to ruin your life, and let God develop His character within you!