Are we capable of choosing good things?

By Desi Najera, Jr.

​What Does the Bible Say About the Condition of Our Hearts, Wills, Desires, Choices, Understanding? Is there anything redeemable or of eternal value in our hearts before being born again?

Ps 53:1-3 1fool has said in his heart, "There is no God," They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. 2God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. 3Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.…

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Eph 2:5 made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

Col 2:13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,

Gen 6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Gen 8:21 And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Matt 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Prov 20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

1John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Is 53:2-3 2God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God.3They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Rom 3:12 All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.

What Does the Bible Say About Our Ability To Choose Godly Choices?

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Rom 3:11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

1Cor 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and He will be in you.

Joshua 24:19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.

Jer 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.

Isaiah 1:5 Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint.

Jer 4:22 For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know."

Ecc 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.

Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Do any bible stories illustrate these verses?

Noah’s Ark – Noah was unable to survive without God’s warning, ability in gathering, imparted wisdom, favor, leading and instructions
Jonah – Swallowed by a fish to accomplish God’s will, because he was unwilling
Fall of Jericho – God gave them instructions on exactly what to do, they did not have the strength or wisdom or ability within themselves
Passover – God sets them free by plagues and protection
Parting of the Red Sea – God secures Israel’s release by miraculous works
Jesus work on the cross – We were unable to help ourselves or even realize that we needed help

Can you think of others?