“Oh, well, that’s just the way I am.”

I think we’ve all heard people excuse themselves with some variation on that phrase, as they let others know they are comfortable with their own particular failings and don’t plan to try to change.  Everything from selfish, inconsiderate actions to sexual immorality has been explained away with either, “That’s the way God made me,” or “I was born this way.”

There is some small validity in this stance, but only as much as is explained by original sin. One has only to observe infants and toddlers to recognize the innate selfishness and greed of all humans.  We are familiar with the slogan, a child must be taught to hate, and the opposite is just as true; children must be taught to be loving, generous and responsible. It does not come naturally.

While we are all born wanting to fulfill our own desires, those desires are certainly influenced by our post-natal experiences.  We each have different cravings for things which are not good for us. Choosing to indulge them is a matter of character and upbringing. I have been born with a craving for bread and sweets, but since I have diabetes, I need to choose to deny myself in order to remain healthy.

We all face these same choices every day. We may have been born that way, but, hopefully, we have learned as we’ve matured to make wise, generous, considerate, and healthy choices when confronted with harmful temptations.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.