Everyone is a born sinner. It might seem arguable. What is unarguable though, is the fact that by the age of accountability, sin is a regular feature in the life of most.

For lots of people, “I’m a born sinner”, “no one is born a saint”, “he who is without sin should cast the first stone“, “no one is perfect” has been their crutch to wallowing in imperfection, Immortality, and costly vices.

We’ve all got struggles. Giving in or giving up without trying to conquer your challenges is not the same as being a born sinner. It is like refusing to hone your skill. Or leaving a raw gold unrefined.

Your character flaws are preventing you from getting to the next level in life and you are claiming “I was born like this“. You are losing out on opportunities because of a knowledge gap and you keep insisting “no one knows everything”.

Sit there glorying in your imperfection while the world hurries past you.
True, you are not in competition with anyone. But then, there is a time and season for everything in life. There are already enough stumbling blocks on your path towards success, don’t make yourself another one.
You were born a sinner. You weren’t born perfect. Yet, perfection is achievable.

As a Christian, I do acknowledge the captive power of sin. But I also know the redemptive power of Christ. And I know no one is beyond redemption. Sin, no matter how bad, even when beyond human capability is still conquerable.

As for the secular aspect of life, you don’t have to be perfect in every area of life. Your spoons and forks might not be in order. Your clothes might not be sorted by colours. But character-wise, you can fix yourself.

You can learn to manage your time better, speak properly, be courteous, manage your finance and invest too.
There will always be things beyond your control, but bringing everything else under your control is sure to set you on, in your journey towards perfection.

How you were born counts for little. How you die is the most important. How you live your life in between those two periods will make a big difference in how you will be remembered for years to come.

J. Cole‘s born sinner, the last track on an album with the same title is one that gets me thinking every time I listen to it.
I don’t think I have ever listened to it only once, then move on to another song. It always has to be repeated until I complete my introspection.

Cole remains for me one of the greatest rappers ever. His discography is top-notch. Filled with songs that are thought-provoking and capable of changing one’s perspective on life.

On this track, the production value for me is high. The instrumental compliments his voice to perfection and the cadence ensures the message is successfully passed.
The choir chorus at the end is like a cherry on top of the cake for me. I love a choir chorus successfully executed.

Remember, being born a sinner is never an issue. It is what you choose to do with your life afterwards that counts.

Born Sinner Lyrics

[Verse 1 – J. Cole:]
Spinning in circles, live my life without rehearsal
If I die today my nigga was it business? Was it personal?
Should this be my last breath, I’m blessed cause it was purposeful
Never got to church to worship Lord, but please be merciful
You made me versatile, well-rounded like cursive
Now you chose me for a purpose, I put my soul in these verses
Born sinner, was never born to be perfect
Sucker for women licking their lips and holding these purses
Back when we ran the streets who would think we grow to be murderers
Teachers treated niggas as if they totally worthless
And violent, and hopeless
I saw but never noticed that the college point is right to
“Be All That You Can Be” posters
Rest in peace to Tiffany, I don’t know if this is the realest shit I wrote
But know the realest nigga wrote this
And signed it, and sealed it in an envelope and knew one day you’d find it
And knew one day you’d come back and rewind this, singing…

[Hook – James Fauntleroy:]
I’m a born sinner, but I’ll die better than that; swear.
You were always where I needed you to be whether you were there or not there (I was there)
I was born sinning but I live better than that (better than that, better than that)
And if you ain’t fucking with that, I don’t care.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

[Verse 2 – J. Cole:]
Yeah, this music shit is a gift
But God help us make it cause this music business is a cliff
I got a life in my grip, she holding tight to my wrist
She screaming: “Don’t let me slip”
She see the tears in my eyes, I see the fear on her lips
True when I told you, you the only reason why I don’t flip and go insane
My roof in the pouring rain
You knew me before the fame, don’t lose me the more I change, no
Just grow with me, go broke you go broke with me
I smoke you gon’ smoke with me
Woman’s curse since birth, man lead her to the hearse
I go Bobby you go Whitney, damn
Listen here, I’ll tell you my biggest fears
You the only one who knows them
Don’t you ever go expose them
This life is harder than you’ll probably ever know
Emotions I hardly ever show
More for you than for me
Don’t you worry yourself
I gotta do this for me
They tell me life is a test but where’s a tutor for me
Pops came late I’m already stuck in my ways
Ducking calls from my mother for days
Sometimes she hate the way she raised me but she love what she raised
Can’t wait to hand her these house keys with nothing to say
Except

[Hook – James Fauntleroy:]
I’m a born sinner, but I’ll die better than that; swear.
You were always where I needed you to be whether you were there or not there (I was there)
I was born sinning but I live better than that (better than that, better than that)
And if you ain’t fucking with that, I don’t care.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

[Hook – Choir:]
I’m a born sinner, but I’ll die better than that; swear.
You were always where I needed you to be whether you were there or not there (I was there)
I was born sinning but I live better than that (better than that, better than that)
And if you ain’t fucking with that, I don’t care.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)