12-13. How might our inherited sinful condition cause us to doubt Jehovah’s love?

¹² Doubts about Jehovah’s love can come from another source. What would that be? Our inherited sinful condition. (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12) Sin has alienated man from his Creator. It has also damaged his mind, heart, and body.

¹³ Sin has produced an emotional upheaval in us, causing us to feel guilt, anxiety, insecurity, and shame. We can experience those feelings when we commit a sin. But they can also surface because we are constantly aware of our sinful state​—a condition that is entirely out of harmony with the way we were created. (Rom. 8:20, 21) Just as a vehicle with a flat tire cannot operate at peak efficiency, we as imperfect people cannot function at our full potential, the way we were designed to. It is not surprising, therefore, that at times we struggle with doubts about Jehovah’s love. If that happens, we should remember that Jehovah is “the great and awe-inspiring God who . . . shows loyal love to those who love him and keep his commandments.”​—Neh. 1:5.

14. How can reflecting on the ransom help us dispel the idea that Jehovah could never love us? (Romans 5:8) (See also the box “Guard Against ‘the Deceptive Power of Sin.’”)

¹⁴ True, we may occasionally feel that we are not worthy of Jehovah’s love. And strictly speaking, we are not worthy of it​—and that’s what makes it so profound. We do not earn Jehovah’s love on our own merit. Still, the ransom covers our sins, and Jehovah has made that provision because he loves us. (1 John 4:10) Remember, too, that Jesus came to save sinners, not perfect people. (Read Romans 5:8.) None of us can do things perfectly, and Jehovah does not expect us to. When we understand that our sinful condition can cause us to doubt Jehovah’s love, we can become even more determined to fight its grip on our thinking.​—Rom. 7:24, 25.