A new movie reminds us of the depravity of the human heart
Last night, Kathy and I drove out to Chilliwack to watch the movie #Nuremberg (it wasn’t playing here in town). It was an extremely well-done historical film, but not for the squeamish or faint of heart; there are some very disturbing scenes. It was very thought-provoking and sobering.
Without giving away too many spoilers, the movie surrounds Army Psychiatrist Douglas Kelly as he works with Nazi War Criminals, in particular Hermann Wilhelm Göring (the #2 man in the Nazi party). Kelly struggles to find the cause of evil and realizes something profound.
The evil that was the Nazi party is in all of us.
Yes, those on trial were war criminals responsible for heinous acts. Yet they are not alone; such things have existed since early in human history, not long after the fall. They may happen on a large or small scale, but they still occur. The depravity of the human heart runs deep
As we talked about the movie on the way home, Kathy and I agreed that, as the old saying goes, “there but for the grace of God go I.”
In the words of Jeremiah the prophet, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9
In our broken human nature, we are all capable of great evil. Only God’s restraint, even on non-believers, keeps us all from descending further into the abyss of darkness.
If God were to withdraw His restraints, we cannot even imagine the depravity and evil ordinary people are capable of. One only needs to look at the world today to see that truth.
Our hearts deceive us. We deny and excuse our sin. We even lie to ourselves about how good we are. Most of us think more highly of ourselves than we ought. It’s why Paul says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3
The bible makes a startling revelation. “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18
We’re not good people. Our only hope is our Redeemer. He reconciles us to God, and His Spirit indwells the Christian. Even at that, the battle between our flesh and spirit rages in us. The only cure for the depravity of the human heart is the gospel.
We have the promise that all will be made well. We might battle our own nature, but the Spirit fights beside us.
As believers, we have the duty to take the hope of the gospel into the world. It is the only true hope that can set dark, depraved and hurting people free.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.