Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil. He was made captive by Satan, and would have remained so forever had not God specially interposed. It was the tempter's purpose to thwart the divine plan in man's creation, and fill the earth with woe and desolation. And he would point to all this evil as the result of God's work in creating man.

Go on to How sin changed our relationship with God...

White, Ellen Gould: Steps to Christ. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1892; SC 17.1

Questions answered:

• How was man originally created?
• What effect did sin have on man?
• What weakens man?
• Who makes men captive?
• What was Satan's purpose in tempting man?
• To whom does Satan shift the blame for sin's results?