What is fallen nature, and how is it removed?

Question

Sun Myung Moon · Accepted Answer

Humanity grapples with an inherent struggle between good and evil, a reality often lamented by prophets and philosophers alike. This internal conflict points to a condition within us that deviates from our original, divine design. Understanding this condition, often referred to as fallen nature, is crucial to grasping the path toward genuine spiritual restoration and fulfilling God's original purpose for creation. What is this fallen nature, and how can we be freed from its pervasive influence? The Genesis of Fallen Nature Our journey begins in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve, the progenitors of humankind, were given a singular commandment: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). This commandment was intended to protect them during their spiritual growth period. However, they fell through an illicit act, influenced by a spiritual being, which imparted to them a fallen nature. This event was not merely about eating a literal piece of fruit; it represented a profound spiritual and physical transgression that disconnected humanity from God. The result was not only physical death but also spiritual death, severing their direct relationship with their Creator. This original sin and its resulting fallen nature have been passed down through generations, affecting all humanity (Romans 5:12). Characteristics of Fallen Nature Fallen nature manifests as a series of selfish inclinations that stand in stark contrast to God's loving and selfless nature. At its core, it embodies selfishness and lust, greed and anger. These are not merely individual flaws but systemic distortions that emerged from the Fall. The first inclination arose from a spiritual being's envy, jealousy, and hatred when it could not understand God's greater love for Adam. This led to viewing others from a self-centered perspective, rather than from God's heart. Secondly, a lack of respect for position and pride developed, as the spiritual being sought to usurp Adam's role as mediator to God. This inclination causes us to disregard the order of creation and proper authority. Thirdly, instead of guiding and nurturing, there emerged an inclination to dominate others for one's own benefit, leading to exploitation and control. Lastly, the original plan for God's good words to multiply goodness was corrupted, resulting in the multiplication of evil words and negative influence (Genesis 3:12-13). These are the four fallen natures that must be named plainly if they are to be removed: failing to take God's standpoint toward others, leaving one's own proper position, reversing dominion by controlling those we should serve, and multiplying evil instead of goodness. Together, they describe the ingrained tendencies humanity inherited, so that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), and every one of them can be traced back to the archangel's heart at the Fall. The Path to Removal: Indemnity and Restoration Removing fallen nature is not a passive process but requires active participation from humanity—a journey of restoration through indemnity. Indemnity means making restitution or setting conditions to reverse the consequences of past mistakes. This path is a re-creation process, mirroring the time-bound nature of God's original creation. It involves establishing a Foundation of Faith and a Foundation of Substance. The Foundation of Faith requires making conditions that demonstrate a clear separation from evil, allowing God to once again take ownership of our offerings and lives. This is a path of putting our lives on the line, just as biblical figures like Jacob, Moses, and Jesus did (Genesis 32:24-28, Exodus 4:24-26, Matthew 4:1-11). Reversing the Four-Fold Fallen Nature To truly remove fallen nature, we must actively reverse each of its four core inclinations: 1. Overcoming Self-Centered Views: Instead of jealousy and envy, we must cultivate a heart to love others from God's point of view, appreciating their unique relationship with God. This means becoming like the Archangel who truly loves the central person, even if they receive more love from God. 2. Restoring Proper Respect: We must learn to respect those in positions closer to God, receiving God's love and guidance through them, rather than seeking to usurp their place. This involves humility and recognizing the divine order. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). 3. Serving for the Benefit of All: We must overcome the inclination to dominate and exploit. Instead, we must build strong, positive relationships with others, seeking to serve and benefit them (Mark 10:45). This transforms the heart from selfish gain to selfless contribution. 4. Multiplying Goodness: We must consciously receive and multiply good words, focusing on positive influence and constructive communicatio

What is fallen nature, and how is it removed?

The Genesis of Fallen Nature

Characteristics of Fallen Nature

The Path to Removal: Indemnity and Restoration

Reversing the Four-Fold Fallen Nature

Living the Principle

Sources and further reading