What is a sin nature like?
Paul calls it a sin nature: a fallen personality bent to sinning after Adam sinned. The whole person—mind, will, and emotion—lost perfect agreement with God. Fellowship with God became dormant, not annihilated; the spark remains but is dead, like a car battery drained overnight.
Les teaches that the sin nature describes Adam’s fallen condition after his disobedience. Originally Adam was created with body, soul, and spirit; his soul—mind, will, and emotion—was in perfect agreement with the Creator, and his spirit enjoyed fellowship with God. When Adam sinned, that entire personality became a sin nature, simply bent to sinning. Communication with God became dormant, not annihilated; the spark is still there but dead. Les illustrates this with a car battery left with lights on overnight: the next morning it is dead. He also notes that many good people never see their need of salvation because they do not believe God has said they are sinners, and that recognition must be the first step.