Understanding Human Depravity: Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Man's Natural State

The Human Condition Apart from Divine Grace

In his compelling sermon "But God," Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confronts his listeners with an uncomfortable but essential truth: the natural state of humanity is far worse than most people imagine. Drawing from Ephesians 2:1-3, the Doctor paints a sobering picture of human nature that challenges both modern optimism and religious moralism.

Dr Lloyd-Jones begins with a startling declaration about the human condition: "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. That's what you were like. Now, this is the truth always, about the non-Christian. This is the truth about everybody in this congregation who isn't a Christian. It is the truth of every non-Christian in the entire universe at this moment."

The Reality of Spiritual Death

For Dr Lloyd-Jones, this spiritual death isn't merely a poetic metaphor but a devastating reality. He argues that just as a physically dead person cannot respond to physical stimuli, a spiritually dead person cannot respond to spiritual truth. This condition affects every aspect of human existence, from our thoughts and desires to our choices and actions.

The Doctor goes further, explaining how this spiritual death manifests itself in daily life. "The natural, unregenerate, non-Christian man is always governed by his impulses and his desires and his instincts. Lust, inordinate affection, these drives that the psychologists talk about, these are the things that govern men, whether they're able men or ignorant men doesn't matter."

What makes Dr Lloyd-Jones' analysis particularly penetrating is his understanding of how this condition affects even the most cultured and educated members of society. He points out that spiritual death operates just as effectively in the university professor as in the street criminal - it simply manifests differently. The professor's ambition, pride, and intellectual arrogance are just as much manifestations of spiritual death as more obvious sins.

Modern Solutions and Their Inadequacy

Dr Lloyd-Jones is particularly concerned with exposing the inadequacy of modern solutions to human problems. Education, psychology, social reform - all these, while potentially beneficial in their proper sphere, cannot address humanity's fundamental problem. The Doctor insists that no amount of external improvement can remedy internal spiritual death.

This understanding leads Dr Lloyd-Jones to a surprising conclusion about world events. He sees the troubles of his time (and ours) as manifestations of divine judgment: "I believe that we've had what we've had in this century because God has withdrawn his restraining grace... He has handed us over to a reprobate mind."

Hope Through Understanding

For modern readers, Dr Lloyd-Jones' message might seem harsh or pessimistic. However, he would argue that only by understanding the depth of our problem can we appreciate the magnificence of God's solution. His analysis of human depravity isn't meant to lead to despair but to point us toward the only genuine hope - divine intervention.

The implications of Dr Lloyd-Jones' teaching reach far beyond theoretical theology. They touch every aspect of Christian life and ministry. If humans are truly spiritually dead, then conversion cannot be achieved through clever arguments or emotional manipulation. If our natural state is one of complete spiritual inability, then salvation must be entirely God's work.

This understanding transforms how we view evangelism, pastoral care, and personal spiritual growth. It eliminates both the pressure of thinking we must somehow convince people to become Christians and the pride of thinking we had something to do with our own salvation.

Dr Lloyd-Jones' teaching on human depravity provides a crucial foundation for understanding both human nature and divine grace. It explains why mere moral reform or educational improvement, while potentially beneficial, can never solve humanity's fundamental problem. Only divine intervention - the "But God" of Ephesians 2:4 - can transform spiritually dead sinners into living saints.

Contemporary Relevance

For contemporary Christians, this message remains vitally relevant. In an age of therapeutic solutions and self-help strategies, Dr Lloyd-Jones reminds us that our fundamental problem lies deeper than any human solution can reach. Only when we grasp this truth can we properly understand and proclaim the gospel of grace.

Q and A

What is the meaning of Christian depravity?

According to Dr Lloyd-Jones, depravity is a state of spiritual death where humans are "dead in trespasses and sins." He emphasizes that this isn't just moral corruption, but a complete spiritual inability to respond to God. As he states, "The unbeliever, the nonchristian is spiritually dead. He has no contact with the life of God... he's merely existing. He has no life."

What does the Bible say about depravity?

Dr Lloyd-Jones, drawing from Ephesians 2, emphasizes that the Bible describes depravity as:

• Spiritual death ("dead in trespasses and sins")
• Slavery to "the course of this world"
• Bondage to "the prince of the power of the air" (Satan)
• Living according to "the lusts of our flesh" and "desires of the mind"
• Being "by nature the children of wrath"

What is the sin of depravity?

Dr Lloyd-Jones describes depravity not as a single sin but as a condition that manifests in two ways:

• "Desires of the flesh" - physical lusts, sensual appetites
• "Desires of the mind" - which he describes as including "ambition, jealousy, envy, spite, hatred" - things people often don't recognize as equally depraved

What is considered depravity?

Dr Lloyd-Jones gives a comprehensive view of depravity that includes:

• The inability to respond to spiritual truth
• Being "governed by impulses and desires and instincts"
• Following "the course of this world" blindly like "sheep"
• Being enslaved to both physical lusts and mental sins
• Living in complete opposition to God while being unable to recognize this condition

He emphasizes that depravity affects all classes of society and manifests in both "obvious" sins and more "respectable" ones. As he states, "spiritual death operates just as effectively in the university professor as in the street criminal - it simply manifests differently."