--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If man is a totally depraved being, can…" description: "\"“If man is a totally depraved being, can he possibly take the first step in the matter of his return to God?”\" — Arthur W. Pink" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d51/arthur-w-pink-4530_depraved_if-man-is-a-totally-depraved-being-can-h_2525568.png" --- # If man is a totally depraved being, can he possibly take… ![“If man is a totally depraved being, can he possibly take the first step in the matter of his return to God?” quote by Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d51/arthur-w-pink-4530_depraved_if-man-is-a-totally-depraved-being-can-h_2525568.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d51/arthur-w-pink-4530_depraved_if-man-is-a-totally-depraved-being-can-h_2525568.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d51/arthur-w-pink-4530_depraved_if-man-is-a-totally-depraved-being-can-h_2525568.png) > ““If man is a totally depraved being, can he possibly take the first step in the matter of his return to God?”” [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human depravity makes the first step toward God difficult, yet possible through divine grace. **In simple terms:** Sin hinders but doesn’t block returning to God. Key Takeaway Seek divine help to begin repentance. Themes theology spirituality human nature redemption Mood reflective hopeful Type spiritual theological When to use this quote - personal prayer - church counseling - spiritual retreats - missionary work Key Concepts soteriology grace free will Questions to Reflect On - What role does grace play in moral transformation? - Can humans act without divine influence? A Different Perspective Some argue free will can initiate repentance without divine aid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) ## Related quotes > [I want to do everything I can possibly do to step outside the box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilly-singh/i-want-to-do-everything-i-can-possibly-do-to-step-outside-the-box/) [Lilly Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilly-singh/) > [“Like had been replaced by love. And love was the plummet dropped down into the deeps of him where like had never gone. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/like-had-been-replaced-by-love-and-love-was-the-plummet-dropped-down/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [Revival is when God's people return to God and God returns to them, and everyone sees the difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/revival-is-when-god-s-people-return-to-god-and-god-returns-to-them/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [“Who does not tremble when he considers how to deal with his wife For not only is he bound to love her but so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-henry-viii/who-does-not-tremble-when-he-considers-how-to-deal-with-his-wife-for/) King Henry VIII > [“The settled happiness and security which we all desire, God withholds from us by the very nature of the world: but joy, pleasure, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/the-settled-happiness-and-security-which-we-all-desire-god-withholds/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [If men do not return to God, evil will destroy us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-lee-peterson/if-men-do-not-return-to-god-evil-will-destroy-us/) [Jesse Lee Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-lee-peterson/) > [Never forget that you can always turn to God before you return to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-forget-that-you-can-always-turn-to-god-before-you-return-to-god/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To repent is to return to God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/to-repent-is-to-return-to-god/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [WHAT WE NEED IN AMERICA TODAY IS A VIGOROUS RETURN TO THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS AND A MOST VIGOROUS DEFENSE AGAINST THE MINION…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-edgar-hoover/what-we-need-in-america-today-is-a-vigorous-return-to-the-god-of-our/) [J. Edgar Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-edgar-hoover/) > [“Any man who by repentance and a sincere return to God will break himself out of the mold in which he has been held,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/any-man-who-by-repentance-and-a-sincere-return-to-god-will-break/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [We are here because we are made by God, we will return to God. So people who think that they are something, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-are-here-because-we-are-made-by-god-we-will-return-to-god-so/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [If we are to continue to have the freedoms that came of the inspiration of the Almighty to our Founding Fathers, we must return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/if-we-are-to-continue-to-have-the-freedoms-that-came-of-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/then-the-dust-will-return-to-the-earth-as-it-was-and-the-spirit-will/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [“Return to God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/return-to-god/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“To be set free, turn away from your sins. And return to God of great mercy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/to-be-set-free-turn-away-from-your-sins-and-return-to-god-of-great/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) ## More by Arthur W. Pink > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [God has often given His people favor in the sight of heathen masters (as Joseph and Daniel), and has magnified the sufficiency of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/god-has-often-given-his-people-favor-in-the-sight-of-heathen-masters/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [An ineffably holy God, who has the utmost abhorrence of sin, was never invented by any of Adam's descendents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/an-ineffably-holy-god-who-has-the-utmost-abhorrence-of-sin-was-never/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Were God to show grace to all of Adam's descendants, men would at once conclude that He was righteously compelled to take them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/were-god-to-show-grace-to-all-of-adam-s-descendants-men-would-at-once/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Real prayer is communion with God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/real-prayer-is-communion-with-god/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Growing in grace is a deepening realization of our nothingness; it is a heartfelt recognition that we are not worthy of the least of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/growing-in-grace-is-a-deepening-realization-of-our-nothingness-it-is/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Christ is the Divine answer to the Devil's overthrow of our first parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/christ-is-the-divine-answer-to-the-devil-s-overthrow-of-our-first/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Instead of a river, God often gives us a brook, which may be running today and dried up tomorrow. Why? To teach us not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/instead-of-a-river-god-often-gives-us-a-brook-which-may-be-running/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/the-gospel-of-satan-is-not-a-system-of-revolutionary-principles-nor/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“Again, there are multitudes who are quite ready for Christ to justify them, but not to sanctify. Some kind, some degree, of sanctification they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/again-there-are-multitudes-who-are-quite-ready-for-christ-to-justify/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Those circumstances, which to the dim eye of Jacob's faith wore a hue so somber, were at that very moment developing and perfecting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/those-circumstances-which-to-the-dim-eye-of-jacob-s-faith-wore-a-hue/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Chastisement is designed for our good, to promote our highest interests. Look beyond the rod to the All-wise hand that wields it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/chastisement-is-designed-for-our-good-to-promote-our-highest/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Prayer is the way and means God has appointed for the communication of the blessings of His goodness to His people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/prayer-is-the-way-and-means-god-has-appointed-for-the-communication/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [In the person of Christ God beholds a holiness which abides His closest scrutiny, yea, which rejoices and satisfies His heart; and whatever Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/in-the-person-of-christ-god-beholds-a-holiness-which-abides-his/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“Is there not in these words of our Lord a latent reference to the history of man’s fall, and a designed contrast from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/is-there-not-in-these-words-of-our-lord-a-latent-reference-to-the/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) [Explore all 109 Arthur W. Pink quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) ## More Depraved quotes > [Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/total-depravity-means-the-entire-absence-of-holiness-not-the-highest/) [William Greenough Thayer Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/) > [Man, while he loves, is never quite depraved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/man-while-he-loves-is-never-quite-depraved/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [Christianity teaches that the human race is depraved, fallen, and sinful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-james-kennedy/christianity-teaches-that-the-human-race-is-depraved-fallen-and-sinful/) [D. James Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-james-kennedy/) > [I have no intention of uttering my last words on the stage. Room service and a couple of depraved young women will do me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-o-toole/i-have-no-intention-of-uttering-my-last-words-on-the-stage-room/) [Peter O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-o-toole/) > [Now although man is created for the possession of happiness, yet, having deviated from his true end, his nature has become deformed and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-of-genoa/now-although-man-is-created-for-the-possession-of-happiness-yet/) [Catherine of Genoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-of-genoa/) > [“Satan and that man is still man even after 1000 years of the righteous, benevolent rule of Christ on earth. Even under the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hitchcock/satan-and-that-man-is-still-man-even-after-1000-years-of-the/) [Mark Hitchcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hitchcock/) > [As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme situations; I really wanted a normal little childhood. Unfortunately, that's just not what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/as-a-child-i-was-never-drawn-toward-depraved-or-extreme-situations-i/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Essentially, if our secrets are secrets because we are told to be ashamed, then we must share them. There is no shame in being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warsan-shire/essentially-if-our-secrets-are-secrets-because-we-are-told-to-be/) [Warsan Shire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warsan-shire/) > [The ministers are in duty bound to denounce all intellectual pride, and show that we are never quite so dear to God as when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/the-ministers-are-in-duty-bound-to-denounce-all-intellectual-pride/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Money by Martin Amis. I read it when I was 15, I read it hundreds of times since then and it always makes me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pattinson/money-by-martin-amis-i-read-it-when-i-was-15-i-read-it-hundreds-of/) [Robert Pattinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pattinson/) > [There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge. It makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-more-helpless-and-irresponsible-and/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [We should have a bond of sympathy for all sentient beings, knowing that only the depraved and base take pleasure in the sight of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/we-should-have-a-bond-of-sympathy-for-all-sentient-beings-knowing/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [“Ladies, I have bad news for you. Men are pigs. No really. I know you think you know what I'm talking about but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/ladies-i-have-bad-news-for-you-men-are-pigs-no-really-i-know-you/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [Tolerance is the last virtue of a depraved society. When an immoral society has blatantly and proudly violated all the commandments, it insists upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hutton-gibson/tolerance-is-the-last-virtue-of-a-depraved-society-when-an-immoral/) [Hutton Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hutton-gibson/) > [In the application of the method of non-violence, one must believe in the possibility of every person, however depraved, being reformed under humane and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/in-the-application-of-the-method-of-non-violence-one-must-believe-in/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) Browse all 112 Depraved quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If man is a totally depraved being, can he possibly take the first step in the matter of his return to God?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arthur W. 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