In religious circles today  there is a catch phrase that has grown out of a false doctrine that we should be aware. The term is "sin nature." Not long ago we knew the doctrine as "inherited depravity." As it is with false teaching it will take on many forms in order to deceive.

The essence of the doctrine is defined  in the Westminster Confession of Faith as "the guilt of this (Adam's) sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity, descending from them by ordinary generation. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions." (Chapter VI)

The gospel outreach.net states the doctrine more simply; "We sin because we have a sin nature. Every human being possesses a sin nature -- a corrupt nature inherited from Adam. Our sin nature separates us from God."

When this doctrine is examined closely it arrives at some tragic conclusions that  empower  a society bent on living in sin. The logic conclusion of the doctrine leads men to say, "...Adam's original sin is extended to all mankind; which is a corruption of the whole nature and a hereditary disease, wherewith even infants in their mother's womb are infected, and which produces in man all sorts of sin,... (Five Points of Calvinism, Palmer)

There are several doctrines that have grown out of this false doctrine. One of those is the baptism of babies. The idea that they must be baptized to be forgiven of the sin they inherited in their conception. There is absolutely not Biblical foundation for such a belief. In fact, on two occasions Jesus spoke of children by saying, "of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4; 19:14) These two passages flatly deny that children are born having sin accounted (imputed) against them.

At the heart of the doctrine of "sin nature" is we inherit sin from Adam. We do not inherit the guilt of sin from anyone other than ourselves. Ezekiel 18:14, 19-20 plainly states that a son can observe the deviant behavior of his father and  "not do likewise." We do not have to follow the sins of those who have gone before us. The condemnation that comes to us is the result of our sin, not our inheritance.

Much of the doctrine of a sin nature grows out of misunderstanding of Ephesians 2:2-10. One phrase from that passage reads, we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. The emphasis of "by nature children of wrath" is not an inherited state, but a chosen path when we walk according to the course of this world. The apostle's speaking of sinful habits that are developed while living in this world.

This is easily understood when we consider that we are born into this world with free will. We possess a body of flesh that is susceptible to temptation. All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1 John 2:15,16) Thus the world provides an environment for us to sin, and sin can seem quit natural, but this does not support the idea we are inherently sinful. What we learn is that the flesh is the avenue through which temptations come.

There is a chasm far and wide between a doctrine that teaches one possess a "sin nature" and sinning can seem natural.

Many today point to their deviant behavior and state, "that is just the way I am," or "God made me that way." The implication is that their sinful behavior is inherent. In this the effort is made to eliminate the element of personal accountability. 

James chapter 1:12-16 reveals one important characteristics about our nature. We can "endure temptation!"  If we can endure temptation we are not inherently depraved, we are simply faced with a choice. When approached by the world we must choose whether we will allow that thing  to be conceived and acted upon, or will we humble ourselves and  submit to God's will.

The reality we must face is we succumb to temptation and sin.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Man needs salvation from his sin, not his birth. For this reason Jesus points to little children, stating they are of the kingdom. They are innocent. Accountable individuals who have sinned are not. For this reason the grace of God is extended to us. Not only bringing salvation, but teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, and righteously. (ref. Titus 2:11,12)

By Nature Children of Right?

Interestingly the Bible refers to individuals engaging in activity that seems to be inherently right. Romans 2:14 speaks of the Gentiles by nature doing things contained in the law. 1 Corinthians 11:14 asks, "does not nature itself teach you..." So we can understand we are not inherently depraved. However, we do see depraved behavior. Romans 1:26 refers to those who exchanged the natural use of their bodies for that which is against nature!

These passages are inescapable, we are created with free will. It is not sinful to be tempted, it is sinful when we succumb to temptation and transgress the will of God.

What Did Adam Pass On To Us?

When Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden all of mankind moved with him. Physical death was now a part of our existence. And, the result of sin is we are now born "in the world." Exposed to the elements and allurements of temptation we succumb to sin. And, subsequently, "all sin." (Romans 5:12)

Our 'capacity' to choose is the same as Adam and Eve before the fall. The definitive knowledge of good and evil is something we teach our children. I suppose in that sense this awareness was the result of Adam's partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Otherwise we would have remained in the garden, in the presence of the Lord, and death would not be a part of our existence.

The condemnation for sinning began with Adam, and is passed on to us when we sin. "For by one man's offense judgment is come to all men, resulting in condemnation." (Romans 5:17) In this sense, "by one man's disobedience many were made sinners." (Romans 5:19) Not that we inherited Adam's sin or a "sin nature," but that through his disobedience we entered into a world that is filled with the the lust of flesh and the eyes, and the pride of life.

When 1 John 2:15-17 emphasizes, "These are not of the Father, but of the world," we can conclude this exposure is what we inherited from Adam's sin. All the posterity of Adam has been born into this world of sin and death. Christ delivers us from that world, and through His sacrifice - "grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life." (Romans 5:21) He releases us from the world that we are born into, and the condemnation of personal guilt of sin. (Romans 6)

The context of Romans five and six point us to the reality, as I will point out in next Sunday's lesson, being born into this world is something we did inherit from Adam, but the guilt of sin is the result of our personal disobedience - not his.

We have a choice... grace reigns through righteousness - that is what Jesus brought to us that we could not do for ourselves. (Ephesians 2:2-10)