Original Sin — Are we cursed or created with original sin?

Bible Question:

Are we cursed with “original sin”/spiritual death or are created with it?

Bible Answer:

The subject of original sin is of utmost importance. For an incorrect understanding of the meaning of original sin will result in a wrong understanding of the Bible and why every person is on the road to eternal punishment. Mormon theology teaches that each person is not born with a sin nature. They are only tainted by the effects of Adam’s sin. For example, Mormons, who now call themselves Christians, state,

Latter-day Saints believe that infants inherit certain effects of the Fall, but not the responsibility for any sin as a result of Adam’s or Eve’s transgression.¹

This reveals that Mormons do not believe that anyone is born with a sin nature, we are only affected by Adam’s sin. They claim that sin is simply wrong judgment or the making of a mistake. But the biblical view of sin and original sin is very different.  So, what is original sin in the Bible?

What Was Satan’s Sin?

The first sin committed in God’s invisible and visible creation was not committed by Adam but by Satan. Ezekiel 28:12 speaks of cherub (single form of cherubim), an angel, who empowered the king of Tyre. This cherub or angel once covered God Himself (Ezekiel 28:14). Ezekiel 28:13 states that the cherub was once in the Garden of Eden and he was a created being. He was created without sin. But Ezekiel 28:15 says that eventually unrighteousness (sin) was found in him.  As a result, Ezekiel 28:17 says he was cast out of heaven. Isaiah 14:12 refers to the same angel, only it calls him Lucifer (King James Version) or the “star of the morning.” That reveals Satan is an angel, a cherub. Verse 14 says he wanted to be like God. That is, his sin was pride. Satan’s sin was the first sin committed in God’s invisible and visible creation. This was the fall of Satan.

What Is the Original Sin?

Historically, theologians called the sin committed by Adam in Genesis 3 the original sin. When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. But to refer to Adam’s first sin as the original sin that was committed in the Garden of Eden fails to communicate the full impact of Adam’s sin upon all humanity. His first sin caused every human to be born as a sinner (Psalm 51:5). Romans 5:12 states,

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

Then in verse 19 we are told,

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners. Romans 5:19 (NASB)

That is, at birth each person is born as a sinner before the person commits any act – good or bad.

These two passages reveal that four things happened when Adam sinned. First, sin entered the world. Second, sin spread to all men. Third, when we sin, we prove we are sinners. Then finally, when we do sin, we demonstrate that we are spiritually dead. We must notice that Genesis 2:16-17 reports that God told Adam that if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die.

When Adam disobeyed, he died three ways. First, his body began the dying process. Second, he was sentenced to eternal punishment unless he believed in the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. Third, he experienced spiritual separation from God because he and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-24). They lost their direct communication with God in the Garden of Eden. When each person is born into this world, he or she is already dead in all three ways. At the moment we are born our bodies are already dying. We are sentenced to eternal punishment unless we believe in Jesus Christ, and we spiritually separated from God. We cannot see Him and live. We cannot directly speak to Him as Adam and Eve did. For God has imputed Adam’s sin to everyone. This is why 1 Corinthians 15:22 says,

For as in Adam all die . . . 1 Corinthians 15:22 (NASB)

Therefore, after we are born into this world, we prove we are born as sinners when we disobey God (James 1:13-15). This is called personal sin.

Conclusion:

Adam committed the “first sin” among humans. But the term original sin includes much more than the event. The term original sin includes our sinful state, our guilt, and our condition from birth before God. For Adam’s guilt is imputed to us at conception. We are just as guilty as Adam (Romans 5:12-19). What is the meaning of the original sin? We are created with the guilt of the original sin.

Suggested Links:

What is sin and its consequences?
Are some sins worse than other sins? – Are all sins equal?