Inherited sin is the sinful nature passed down from Adam. Though we are born with this sin nature, we are responsible for our sinful actions and choices. Through faith in Jesus, believers are made new, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live righteously.
Inherited sin refers to the sinful nature passed down from Adam to all humanity, resulting from his and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). As a consequence, all people are born with a natural inclination to sin, which is reflected in our actions and choices (Romans 5:12). While this sinful nature explains why we sin, it does not justify our actions, and the just consequence of sin is death and separation from God since all sin is against God (Romans 6:23). However, in God's mercy, Jesus Christ came to save sinners by taking the punishment for sin on the cross, offering forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Timothy 1:15). All who trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins are saved and become new creations, replacing the old sinful nature with a new one. This transformation is described in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live according to God's will, no longer enslaved to sin but free to live a life that honors Him (Romans 8:1-2). This new nature is characterized by righteousness and the desire to follow God’s commands, which is made possible through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:24, Galatians 5:16). As a result, while the temptation to sin remains, those who are in Christ have the power to resist and are no longer defined by their old nature (Romans 6:6-7).
In contrast to the idea that people are born neutral and without the stain of sin, Scripture indicates we are born with a sin nature that is inherited from our parents and their parents before them. Because of Adam and Eve's disobedience, sin has been an "inheritance" for all of their descendants.
Very few would deny that people make mistakes, yet many do not wish to accept the biblical view that people are born as sinners. But the best explanation for the universal practice of sin in our world is that it is part of our human nature. This does not excuse us from sin, but it does explain why we sin.
Because of inherited sin, we are sinful in nature and in practice. This inherited nature does not remove our responsibility—we are still accountable for the choices we make (Ezekiel 18:20). Every time we sin, we are choosing to rebel against God's holy standard. While our sin nature explains why we sin, it does not justify it. The just consequence of sin is death—both physical and spiritual (Romans 6:23). But in His mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take our punishment upon Himself. Jesus lived a sinless life and died in our place so that we could be forgiven (2 Corinthians 5:21). When we put our faith in Him, He removes the guilt of our sin and gives us His righteousness, offering eternal life as a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:15 that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." Though we may feel we are the worst sinner in the world, Jesus came to save us, which includes forgiving us from our sins. Paul wrote, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are saved and made into new creations, with their old sinful nature replaced by a new one empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation enables us to live according to God's will, able to resist sin and pursue righteousness (Romans 8:1-2, Galatians 5:16).