What do you think? Are people by nature good or bad? Wait! Before you answer, consider that this is a centuries-old debate.
People with credentials may speak with authority when they give their opinion, but it's still just their opinion. Opinions don't resolve debates, they tend to polarize the debate.
An important part of the discussion, if you want to move beyond mere debate, is to define terms. What's the basis for goodness? How do you define human nature?
Scripture
Surely there is no one on earth who always does good and never sins. But wisdom can make one person stronger than ten leaders in a city. Don’t listen to everything people say. You might hear your own servant saying bad things about you. And you know that many times you too have said bad things about other people. [vss 19-22]
I used my wisdom and thought about all these things. I wanted to be wise, but I couldn’t do it. I cannot understand why things are as they are. It is too hard for anyone to understand. I studied and I tried very hard to find true wisdom. I tried to find a reason for everything. I did learn that it is foolish to be evil, and it is crazy to act like a fool. [vss 23-25]
I also found that some women are dangerous like traps. Their hearts are like nets, and their arms are like chains. It is worse than death to be caught by these women. God’s followers should run away from them. Let the sinners be caught by them. The Teacher says, “I added all this together to see what answer I could find. I am still looking for answers, but I did find this: I found one good man in a thousand. But I did not find even one good woman. “There is one other thing I have learned. God made people good, but they have found many ways to be bad.” [vss 26-29]
(Ecclesiastes 7:19-29 ERV) [Context– Ecclesiastes 7]
Key phrase—I learned that wickedness is stupid and foolishness is madness
[bctt tweet="I learned that wickedness is stupid and foolishness is madness"]
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What are we told about people in general and the value of wisdom?
What advice is given about what people say, and what is the basis for this advice?
What did King Solomon find out in his search for wisdom and reason for life?
What was Solomon still looking for, and what did he learn about God and people?
Reflection...
An opinion is a belief based on a subjective point of view. Why is it subjective? Because it's a personal point of view.
In the very beginning of humanity, when God created the universe, it was all good. Not good in the way that expression is used today. Everything created was genuinely good, pristine, and in right order.
God is the only true standard of goodness. However, the world around us is no longer in pristine condition, regardless of your opinion on climate change. And, the population of the world does not live in harmony with one another or their environment.
Our view of people and life in general is jaded. It's jaded because we have a hard time seeing beyond ourselves and our own point of view. Solomon was onto something when he said— God made people good, but they have found many ways to be bad (verse 29).
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
What is your view of human nature, God, and goodness? What do you base this on?
If you've been living for a while, how has your view of life and human nature changed?
What areas in life are you still seeking answers? What are you sure about? Why?
Where do you seek wisdom? How has the wisdom you've gained in life helped you?