Who is man?
Some said he was developed from an ape, others said he is a little god, and the Holy Scriptures say he was created by the Almighty God.
Well, one thing is sure, regardless of which you believe, God made all things, even the apes.
Man, 'today', sees himself differently. He feels on top of the world, like he's some kind of higher god. That's why when he's wealthy, it gets into his head, and he thinks he has need of no God.
He adores himself so much that he sees himself as a 'master' in need of no Lord; an 'architect' of his own life; or a 'necromancer'.
In my opinion, I would say, as much as man is full of mysteries and he is God's favorite creature on earth, he is as well a mist, or a mould (or mold), he is an animal, and he is nothing and naughty in his own ways, no offense.
*M- Mist/Mold.
Let's see what the Scripture says about this, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: ... And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. " Genesis 1:26; 2:7.
Now, that was how it happened. Dust, dirt, and debris. God wanted to show man, in every angle, how ordinary, and way too small he is compared to Himself.
No surprise the Psalmist said, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" He is a nobody actually, were it not for grace.
*A- Animal.
Science says he is a higher animal (homo sapiens). It says "Homo sapiens is the species of all the highly developed primates on earth, a category that living humans belong to." So, technically, man is an animal. He's got skin, blood, bones, sense organs, etc, but then he's got a soul, which other animals don't. However, the soul doesn't belong to him, which is why he still remains an animal - dies when his lifespan is due.
*N- Nothingness and Naughtiness
It is clear that man, on his own, he is nothing. In addition, he is worthless, and reckless. He fights against his fellow man; he covets other people's belongings; he kills, steals, condemns and destroys as if he owns any life, even his.
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5.
Furthermore, man is a free moral agent. He very much understands his right from wrong, and as such can be held accountable for his actions.
That's one special thing about God. He gives man the free will to make decisions, to choose between right and wrong, and to do whatever pleases him without being stopped. That's likely the reason I am even talking about this subject. I have been given the freedom to air my opinion. Anyone could as well disagree with me or say something different from my opinion, and God would still remain calm, watching. Neither is He going to stop you from seeing any subject or situation from your own angle, nor is He going to stop another from opposing your opinion.
*Albert Camus said:
"Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is." What does this tell you? If he refuses to be what he is, then he could as well accept what he is. But what is he? Hmm... alright, I know, I already mentioned what man is: mist, animal, nothing. Did you also take note of my statement, "...in his own ways"? If I say, 'my ways', it means that is what I choose, right? Actually, man was from the beginning created to be 'meaningful', 'adorable', and 'noble and 'notable'. However, what or who man is, is dependent on what he actually thinks of himself. If man thinks of himself as a failure, for example, then failure he becomes.
Albert Camus was trying to say, man (majority) would always choose something else which is not good for him despite the numerous opportunities he has to be someone better.
*Mark Twain also said:
"Man is the Reasoning Animal. Such is the claim. I think it is open to dispute. Indeed, my experiments have proven to me that he is the Unreasoning Animal... In truth, man is incurably foolish. Simple things which other animals easily learn, he is incapable of learning. Among my experiments was this. In an hour I taught a cat and a dog to be friends. I put them in a cage. In another hour I taught them to be friends with a rabbit. In the course of two days I was able to add a fox, a goose, a squirrel and some doves. Finally a monkey. They lived together in peace; even affectionately..."
What are some synonyms for 'reasonable'? Sensible, Fair-minded, Appropriate, Advisable, decent, etc.
Now, Mark Twain experiment was simple, putting different animals in a cage, and in no time they blended despite their differences. But, on the other hand, some people (man) would choose rather to remain enemies till they get to the grave. There's no amount of pleading or preaching that would in any way change what or how they feel about their rivals. That's why, as far as this world is concerned, war, waywardness and wickedness would never cease till the end comes. Have you heard people say, "Over my dead body would I forgive him or her"? Strange, right?
The human heart is like an elastic or a clay, it expansion or contraction depends on how you choose to push or pull it, and it breaks or becomes strong depending on your attitude. So, you have the control over your heart, okay? It is not the heart that controls you. It is only full of thoughts and suggestions. What you end up doing or accepting of it thereafter, would be as a result of your choice. Yes, your choice.
Man never chooses the life he has, but what make the life he lives are the choices he makes, and it would be his own mistakes if he fails to choose right over wrong.