Page 14 - Biblical Counseling II

Nature: "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" (1 Corinthians 2)
Nurture: "have this mindset among yourselves which is
yours in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2)

Nature: "the heart is deceitfully wicked above all
things" (Jeremiah 17)
Nurture: "and I will give you a new heart" (Ezra 36)

(Blythe, 2015)

We could talk about many more verses that show
nature and nurture. In Biblical Counseling I, you
learned why a change is needed in believers and
unbelievers:
1. The human heart is desperately wicked. Is this nature or nurture?
2. We are all conformed to the world in one way or another. Is this nature or nurture?
3. Even regenerate believers, our flesh is still embattled with the Spirit. Nature or nurture?
4. We will continue to practice idolatry. Nature or nurture? (BCI, p. 15).

If “our purpose is found in understanding what it means to be created in the image of God,” do we find that
out through nature or nurture? Being created in the image of God is nature. Change is part of nurture. Is this
concept easy or difficult to understand? These are questions we will continue to think through as we
progress through this course. Let’s look at some other questions that psychologists discuss. This will give you
even more to think about!

Let’s Practice…

Today’s psychologists explore the issue of nature-nurture by asking the following questions. There are no
wrong answers, so reflect on what you think about each question and write your thoughts below (Myers, p.
6, 2009).

1. How are we (individual humans) alike and different? (Think about people close to you as well as people
from different cultures and places in the world).

2. Are gender (male and female) differences predisposed or socially constructed? (For example, do girls like
to play house or dolls, and boys like to play guns or cars, because of traits we were born with or society’s
influence?)

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