Genesis 2:17 …but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat… (AMP)

Adam and Eve ate from the tree and our children are born bearing the fruit. Children are born with an innate knowledge/recognition that right and wrong/good and evil exist. That is not the problem. The problem is they are born not knowing how to tell the difference between the two. To make matters worse because of original Sin, they’re born out of a relationship with God. In right relationship with God he teaches us right from wrong.

Without proper teaching a child will determine right from wrong based on his own internal standards. If it makes them feel good, or brings them what they want it is right. If it is hard it can’t be right. If it hurts, or if it requires sacrifice then it must wrong. Sadly many adults today have never been taught the correct standards of right and wrong. They are still living by the standard “If it feels good do it”, if it’s hard or require sacrifice they avoided it at all cost.

Children must be taught that doing right involves doing what is best for others. They must be taught that doing wrong results in bad consequences. Sometimes children learn that doing bad only hurts when they’re caught, so they learn to be sneaky.

The Old Testament tells the story of God teaching his children how to live righteous. In the New Testament Jesus tells us He is sending the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be our counselor, our guide and our teacher. No matter how old we are or how long we’ve been a Christian we still have much to learn about righteous living. When we listen, the Holy Spirit will teach us.