"Nature or Nurture?"
The entrance to life’s true beginning isn’t a locked door—it’s a gate already opened by grace.
Ray Stedman invites us to revisit the seemingly strange instructions of Leviticus 12—not as outdated regulations, but as holy reminders of a deeper truth: every child born into the world inherits a tainted nature, not because childbirth is shameful, but because of the inherited spiritual condition of humanity since Adam’s fall. The ceremonial uncleanness attached to childbirth, and the covenant act of circumcision on the eighth day, served as vivid illustrations to God’s people that something was awry from birth—that life inherited from Adam needed not to be polished, but exchanged.
The world often clings to the idea that human beings are born pure and become corrupted only by society. But Scripture speaks differently. God gave Israel a visible cue to recall the invisible reality of the fall—that no amount of nurture can reverse the nature we’re born with. Circumcision symbolized the need to remove what does not belong—ultimately pointing forward to the work of Christ, who didn’t just clean up human nature but crucified it and replaced it with His own.
Stedman reminds us that what we believe about the nature of humanity—especially of children—shapes how we train, guide, and love. Recognizing the truth of our fallen nature doesn’t result in despair. It opens the door to grace. We no longer strive to perfect the old but receive the new. Christ came not to improve Adam’s race but to inaugurate a new one—born of the Spirit.
A Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture:
You were born into Adam, but you are no longer in him. You were crucified with Christ, and now the life you live is not your own. My Son took upon Himself the full weight of humanity’s brokenness, not to renovate it, but to bury it with Him and raise you anew in Me.
The flesh profits nothing. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but you were born again—not of perishable seed, but imperishable, through My living and abiding Word. I have circumcised your heart, not with human hands, but with My Spirit, cutting away the life that once was and clothing you in Christ.
You are My workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. You walk by the Spirit, not to suppress your nature, but because your nature has been changed. You were made holy not by striving, but by receiving. You no longer live under the curse of Adam, but under the blessing of My indwelling presence.
Do not be surprised when you see the world cling to a false narrative of innocence apart from Me. Without acknowledging the problem, they will miss the promise. But you know the truth—and the truth has set you free. From this place of freedom, guide others—especially the little ones—with love, patience, and the confidence that I will complete what I have begun.
Verses referenced: Galatians 2:20, John 6:63, John 3:6, 1 Peter 1:23, Colossians 2:11, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 5:8, Romans 8:4, Romans 6:6, Philippians 1:6
My Prayer of Trust:
Father, thank You for showing me that the issue is not about reforming what was broken but receiving what is new. I no longer have to labor under the illusion that I can improve the crucified old man. You've made me a new creation. I rest in this reality today—not just for myself, but in how I view the next generation. May I never project false innocence onto what You lovingly exposed as fallen, but also never forget the freedom You now offer in Christ. I trust You, Holy Spirit, to express the life of Jesus in me today, and in how I interact with every child and adult around me. You are the Life they truly need.
Devotional Credit: Based on "Nature or Nurture?" from Immeasurably More: A Daily Devotional for April 14 by Ray Stedman
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com