What does the Bible say about children and sin?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that children, like all people, are born into a fallen world and need God’s mercy, yet they are precious to Him and are called to know His grace. Psalm 58:3 and Genesis 8:21 testify to the deep reality of human sinfulness, while Romans 6:23 shows sin’s wages and Romans 10:13 offers salvation to everyone who calls on the Lord. Parents should neither excuse sin nor despair over it, but teach children repentance and faith. God is compassionate toward the young, as Jonah 4:11 suggests, and He promises forgiveness to those who confess their sins in 1 John 1:9. In Christ, sinners may become new creations through sovereign grace.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 John 1:9 10 votes
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Romans 6:23 9 votes
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Genesis 8:21 8 votes
Yahweh smelled the pleasant aroma. Yahweh said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake because the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. I will never again strike every living thing, as I have done.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 8 votes
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
- Romans 10:13 8 votes
For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- Jeremiah 1:5 7 votes
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
- Jonah 4:11 7 votes
Shouldn’t I be concerned for Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred twenty thousand persons who can’t discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also many animals?”
- Psalms 25:7-8 6 votes
Don’t remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. Remember me according to your loving kindness, for your goodness’ sake, Yahweh. Good and upright is Yahweh, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
- Psalms 58:3 6 votes
The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
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