The teaching of original sin - and why the focus should be on parents

The teaching of original sin is the most misunderstood teaching out there. Most parents see it as a religious excuse to punish and control one's child. Most Christian parents do not understand what original sin is in the context of parenting, or that it convicts them and not their child.

The Tenth Commandment in Exodus 20:17 KJV:

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

The Greek root word translated "covet" is למחוד (Latin: lachmod) and refers not merely to wanting things from children, but wanting things to the point of seeking to impose said want onto a child, leading to theft/abuse.

The Greek root word cross-referencing the Tenth Commandment, and denoting a general attitude of entitlement, is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and refers to a core level of entitlement, meaning the attitude of "I am a good person" leading to thinking you are invincible, meaning beyond blame, because "I don't do anything wrong, so it must be the fault of other people". This when the adult should be focusing on themselves and their faults, and not other people. Adults, namely parents, have a depraved sin nature deserving of divine punishment merely for existing in relation to children. It says in Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, as this is right. Honor thy father and mother, as this is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live upon the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to the chastening of the Lord and refers to the admission of one's totally depraved parent nature to God through one's child, centering oneself like an hourglass, but in a way that allows listening to and validates children's upsets and tears. This attitude punishes itself when it trespasses against the child, but rewards itself for increased self-discipline. It is remaining calm, in an active listening and reassuring way, all the while modeling self-discipline to children. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to the admonition of the Lord, meaning setting limits with a child, which was done in the biblical context like a friend would set a limit, obliging to most childhood requests or else negotiating alternatives to benign wants, only saying "no" rarely, when absolutely necessary when protecting the child, and preferably using alternatives to "no" such as "that won't work" or "that isn't possible".  This is weighed by the Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to the offenses, meaning the torts and damages under Jewish law linked to the Eighth Commandment, such as assault and battery laws, which offered legal protection from domestic battery to children as well. This legal context is repeated in the New Testament by the Greek root word κλεπτω (Latin: kleptó) and all words that describe a form of theft or damage, such as παροργίζο which refers to damages from fits of anger or fornication directed towards a child, or else any battery or assault damages imposed upon a child.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the care, support, and protection of parents, being able to share anything with parents, confiding everything with them at every level, owing nothing in return to children, but nonetheless listening to parents based on this trust. This form of surrender is conflated with the concept of pro-social rebellion, meaning children can question their parents and "talk back", as well as cry or even strike and physically act out, and parents are to listen and validate emotions like a sounding board. It is being their friend, but their mature, responsible friend, and listening and setting limits that way, but more so a friend to them that they can vent to about anything, and feel free to voice any opinion, no matter how harsh or brusque it comes out.

Ancient Hebrew culture was an attachment parenting culture, meaning obedience in the Bible refers not to a broken will, but a child being attached at the hip to a parent, with parents being their best friend. Closeness was valued in Hebrew families, especially with young children, but also with fairly older children in comparison to our modern culture. Punishment was only legal as a sentence for a crime, and only for an adult over the age of majority. Children were never charged for anything they did wrong.

The depraved and entitled parents will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn and suffer in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!