How do we know that the doctrine of total depravity is true?

Total depravity posits that sin has affected all parts of humanity, rendering individuals incapable of saving themselves or seeking God without the Holy Spirit's intervention. This is evident in Romans 3:10-12, where it states that no one is righteous and no one seeks after God. Believers understand that their ability to desire God comes only through His grace, and this doctrine emphasizes the necessity of God's sovereignty in salvation. The acknowledgment of our utter depravity leads to a greater appreciation for the grace of God, as seen in Ephesians 2:1-5, where it is emphasized that we were dead in our trespasses but made alive in Christ.