Some take this verse to mean that babies are born sinful; "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" from the NIV transliteration of Psalm 51:5. Yes, from this verse, it seems we are definitely born sinful. However, the KJV is a translation which is a MUCH more accurate version and reads, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." This version does not say that babies are sinful but born into sin.
Yes, babies are born into a sinful and fallen world but what was passed onto us from Adam? Was it his sin that was passed on or death? "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" {Romans 5:12}. From this verse, we see that it wasn't sin that was passed down to us but death because all MEN have sinned.
Romans 1 explains the progression of sin in a person's life since God's attributes are clearly seen throughout creation. Who is God's wrath poured upon? Is His wrath poured upon babies? "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" {Romans 1:18}. God's wrath is poured upon those who HOLD the truth in unrighteousness; those who know God's Truth yet continue to disobey it. Babies don't know God's Truth. I believe a newborn baby has no sin, just as Adam and Eve had no sin before deciding to sin.
We are held accountable for our own sin. However, what about children and the age of accountability? We are all born with a conscience. We are supposed to have mothers and fathers who train our consciences in God's ways. Our consciences are molded by what we feed them with. The more time we spend in His Word, the more they are sharpened to know good from evil. As we grow up, we continue to make choices to obey it or disobey it. The more we disobey it, the more we will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. If we continue disobeying it, our conscience can no longer tell right from wrong and God gives us over to a "reprobate mind." {Romans 1:28}
We are held accountable for our own sin. However, what about children and the age of accountability? We are all born with a conscience. We are supposed to have mothers and fathers who train our consciences in God's ways. Our consciences are molded by what we feed them with. The more time we spend in His Word, the more they are sharpened to know good from evil. As we grow up, we continue to make choices to obey it or disobey it. The more we disobey it, the more we will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. If we continue disobeying it, our conscience can no longer tell right from wrong and God gives us over to a "reprobate mind." {Romans 1:28}
Most children who grow up in Christians homes, either decide to continue walking with Jesus or walk away which usually happens around the ages between 18 to 22 years old. Since the brain isn't even fully developed until the early 20s, it makes sense to me that these years begin the age of accountability. Therefore, make sure your children's consciences are shaped by God's Word and NOT the world. As Dennis Prager recently stated on his radio program, "It makes no sense why conservative, Christian parents will spend $40,000 a year to send away their kids to Universities to be indoctrinated with ideas opposed to their ideas and wonder why their children turn out to be left-wing liberals."
Of course, I'm not God, I didn't write the Bible and all of this, whether or not we are "born" sinful and the age of accountability, is only my opinion! Thankfully, God is a righteous and merciful judge and has this all figured out.
But Jesus said, "Let the children alone,
and do not hinder them from coming to Me;
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14
