Sinners Because We Sin

(Video Version)

Today we reconsider a doctrine so widespread, so deeply assumed, that many Christians have never paused to ask whether Scripture truly teaches it. It’s the doctrine of original sin—the belief that every human being is born guilty of Adam’s transgression, stained with his rebellion before ever taking a breath.

But the Word of YHWH God calls us to something far more honest, far more hopeful, and far more consistent with His character: personal responsibility, personal accountability, and personal choice. And when we listen carefully to Scripture, we discover that the doctrine of original sin is not only unsupported, it’s directly contradicted by the very passages YHWH gave us to understand sin, righteousness, and judgment.

---

Each Person Bears Their Own Sin

YHWH tells us plainly, repeatedly, and consistently:

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

This is not a vague hint. It’s a declaration.

YHWH says the son does not bear the guilt of the father. Not one generation back. Not ten generations back. Not all the way back to Adam.

This truth is repeated again and again:

• Deuteronomy 24:16 Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.
• 2 Kings 14:6 But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where YHWH commanded, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.
• 2 Chronicles 25:4 But he did not put their children to death, according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where YHWH commanded, “Fathers shall not die because of their children, nor children die because of their fathers, but each one shall die for his own sin.“

If Scripture says this plainly, repeatedly, and without qualification, then any doctrine claiming that we bear Adam’s guilt must be rejected.

YHWH does not contradict Himself.

---

Earthly Consequences Are Not Eternal Guilt

Some point to passages about YHWH “visiting the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Numbers 14:18) But Scripture itself explains what this means: These are earthly consequences, not eternal condemnation.

Children may suffer the effects of their parents’ sins—broken homes, lost blessings, societal decay—but they do not bear the guilt of those sins before YHWH God.

Earthly consequences are not eternal judgment.

---

Scripture Shows Blameless People

Scripture shows blameless (righteous) people, which is impossible under original sin.

If all humans are born guilty of Adam’s sin, then no one could ever be called blameless. Yet Scripture gives us examples:

• Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
• Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
• Psalm 92:12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

These passages are not hypothetical. They describe real people whom YHWH Himself calls righteous.

If original sin were true, these verses could not exist.

---

What Paul Really Said in Romans 5

Romans 5 is often treated as the cornerstone of original sin. But when we read carefully—especially in the Greek—we see something different.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.

The Greek word translated “because” is ἐπί (ep-ee’) which is a relation of distribution, not a causality. The Strong’s dictionary defines it: as a relation of distribution:—about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as, at, beside, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with.

Therefore, the word “because” only works as a translation of ἐπί if it’s followed by “of”: because of. Then the translation would read: “and so death spread to all men because of the sin that all men commit.” However, the most accurate translation is “in as much as”, which we find in the Interlinear Bible: “Because of this, even as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death passed to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.“

Paul teaches:

• Adam introduced physical death into the world by losing access to the tree of life.
• All humans die physically because no one has access to that tree.
• The second death—the death of the soul—comes only “inasmuch as all sinned.”

Not because Adam sinned. Not because we were “in Adam’s loins.” But because each person sins by their own will.

Adam is a “type of Christ” not because his guilt is forced on us, but because both men’s actions open a path that humans must walk by choice.

Paul’s argument is not that Adam’s guilt is forced upon us. It’s that Adam’s example and Christ’s example both appoint humanity to a path—one of sin, one of righteousness—and each person must choose.

Christ’s death on the cross paid the price for the sins of all mankind forever because He is God. Adam is not God, he was just a man and therefore his actions cannot have the power to effect all mankind forever.

Adam’s disobedience appoints humanity to the path of sin. Christ’s obedience appoints humanity to the path of righteousness. But neither path is forced.

This is why Paul says:

Romans 5:17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Grace must be received. Therefore, guilt must be chosen, not inherited.

---

Why Do People Sin?

Not because of Adam, but because of deception.

Scripture gives us the true explanation for the universality of sin: spiritual warfare.

The ruler of this world deceives, blinds, tempts, and corrupts.

• 1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
• 2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
• 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

We should not put Satan’s guilt onto Adam. Adam was guilty of his sin. Satan is guilty of deceiving mankind since the Garden of Eden.

Think on this:

People sin because they are deceived, just as Adam and Eve were deceived. Not because they were born guilty. Not because they inherited corruption. But because they are engaged in a spiritual battle.

---

Learning to Love: Growth from Need to Compassion

Some people believe that the “selfishness” of children is evidence of original sin. Children do need to learn to think of other people ahead of themselves, but not because they’re selfish.

Babies are not selfish, they’re incapable of understanding their surroundings and only know what they’re experiencing. They only know what they need.

We come into this world knowing absolutely nothing. Remember, sin is an act of willful defiance against God’s Law; babies have no will, they only have needs.

Yeshua said:

• “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14) Children are innocent of sin.
• “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) Children are innocent of sin. How can an adult become like a child? By accepting the free gift of forgiveness for their sins through repentance and subsequent obedience.

As children learn and grow they become aware of what is happening around them, they become aware of the needs of others, and they LEARN to love others as themselves (the 2nd greatest commandment).

---

The Hope of Scripture: We Can Resist Sin

Original sin teaches that humans are incapable of resisting sin until God regenerates them, but Scripture says the opposite:

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.

If we can resist temptation, and rule over sin, then sin is not inevitable. If sin is not inevitable, then original sin is false doctrine.

---

The Beauty of the Gospel

The doctrine of original sin paints humanity as hopelessly corrupt, guilty before birth, unable to choose righteousness.

But Scripture paints a different picture:

• We are born innocent. (Mark 10:14; Matt. 18:3)
• We become sinners when we choose sin. (Genesis 4:7)
• We become righteous when we choose Christ. (Romans 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
• We are accountable for our own actions, not Adam’s. (Genesis 4:7; Galatians 6:1-10; Romans 14:12)
• We are tempted, but not enslaved. (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:12-15)
• The Holy Spirit will assist us as necessary. (John 14:26, 16:13; Romans 8:26)

This is not a lesser gospel. It’s the true Gospel.

It’s a Gospel that honors God’s justice, God’s mercy, and God’s love.

It’s a Gospel that calls every person to choose righteousness, to resist the devil, and to walk in the light.

It’s a Gospel that says:

You are responsible. You are capable. You are accountable. You are invited.

And it’s the Gospel proclaimed by the apostles. Do not be deceived by a “different gospel”.

---

Come Out of Her, My People

Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.

Come out of doctrines that deny YHWH’s justice. Come out of teachings that contradict His Word. Come out of beliefs that strip us of responsibility for our own actions and distort the Gospel.

Stand in the truth:

• You were not born guilty.
• You were not born corrupt.
• You were not born condemned.

You were born with the ability to choose righteousness, to resist evil, and to walk with YHWH.

And through Christ you are appointed to life, if you will receive it.

May the Lord give us clarity, courage, and conviction to embrace what Scripture truly teaches.