And the fact that men don't understand this is part of our fallen nature. We presume we are capable of doing righteousness when Scripture tells us without the inner work of the Holy Spirit we can do nothing BUT sin.
"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." -- Jeremiah 13:23
But there are those who will tell us "that's not me. I can change my spots and do what even Adam, with free will, was incapable of doing -- obey."
And the deception continues...
But there are those who will tell us "that's not me. I can change my spots and do what even Adam, with free will, was incapable of doing -- obey."
Amen, Dr. E.! Thank you for that. Here is the companion verse from my Bible:
2 Chron. 6:36 : "When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; ..." (emphasis added)
Of course in all fairness, it's not like a rocket scientist or anything was the speaker here. :)
To me, free will increases man and decreases God. Indeed, we have been taught that something quite different should happen. :)