Is it in our nature to know what is right and wrong?

We often do not know clearly what is right and wrong because we are sinners (disobedient to God). In our sinfulness we are cut off from God who is perfect truth, righteousness, love, purity and holiness. Our knowledge is limited and prejudicial. Our judgments are clouded by selfishness and defensiveness. The Teacher of Ecclesiastes described us, “Surely there is no one on earth who always does good and never sins.“ (7:20, ERV). About 600 B. C., the prophet Jeremiah said, “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). He further said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked. Who can know it?” (17:9, NKJV). The Apostle Paul quoted from Psalms written by David a thousand years before that declared,

Yet, we still have enough of the image of God and his general morality in us that we know innately that some things are right and some things are wrong. Mankind universally approves truth telling, honesty, love, kindness, protection of children and the innocent, and the alleviation of pain. Mankind universally condemns lying, betrayal, unfaithfulness, abuse of the innocent, murder, rape, hatred, adultery, theft, and torturing babies. This is why even those who do not believe in God have a sense of right and wrong.