Read Ezekiel 18

Stop Blaming Adam

We love to shift the blame of our shortcomings to other people, don’t we? In our own minds, we can do no wrong…it’s always someone else’s fault! We see examples of this going all the way back to Eden. God asked Adam why he ate the forbidden fruit, and Adam said, “It’s the woman’s fault!” God turned His attention to Eve, and she said, “It’s the serpent’s fault!” It’s never our own fault; it’s always someone else’s fault.

This way of thinking has even crept into religion with the false doctrine of “Total Hereditary Depravity.” This doctrine, popular among those who adhere to the teachings of John Calvin, purports that all men have inherited the guilt of Adam’s sin. In other words, “It’s not my fault!” But is this what is revealed by God in His Word?

The prophet Ezekiel relayed this message from God: “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20).

You are only guilty of your own sin, and your sin is a result of your own decision. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, ti gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). Do not try to shift the blame to someone else, whether friend or foe, and certainly don’t try to blame Adam and Eve who sinned because of their poor decision thousands of years ago.

The main points of Calvinism are false doctrine. In addition to “Total Hereditary Depravity,” other aspects of John Calvin’s teaching are “Unconditional Election,” “Limited Atonement,” “Irresistible Grace,” and “Perseverance of the Saints.” If you currently worship with a group of people that teach these things, please study the doctrines in light of the Scriptures and learn the truth that God reveals.