Some believe and teach that sin is inherited from our ancestors and that the sin of Adam passes down from generation to generation so that when a child is brought into this world, he or she is born in sin – totally depraved.
While physical death came into the world as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, we are responsible only for the sins which we have committed. Long ago, the prophet, Ezekiel, provided insight into the justice of God, saying, “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20). A child may suffer consequences as a result of his father’s sins, but he will not be held accountable for them. If a father is imprisoned for criminal activity, his children will suffer loss in many ways. But, they do not inherit his guilt. They are responsible only for their own actions. Remember, sin is a transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4). Therefore, an individual must first transgress the law before he or she can be guilty of sin. What law has the unborn child broken so as to be born in sin?
Sin is the result of our own personal wrong choices. James describes the process whereby sin comes into our lives when he says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:13-15). We cannot blame our parents for our sins. Nor can we blame God, for He can neither be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone. Even the devil is not to be blamed; for, although he may bring temptation our direction, we are the ones who yield to it and do things contrary to God’s will. Sin is not inherited; it is committed.
Jesus held up children as examples for those in the kingdom of God (Mt. 18:3). Surely, He would not hold up children as examples if they, in fact, are totally depraved! Quite to the contrary, children possess the innocence and humility needed by all of God’s people. We have enough trouble dealing with the sins for which we are responsible without needlessly taking upon ourselves the guilt of sins committed by our forefathers.
— Glen Elliott —