Bible Question: What is the age of accoutability? And why do you believe this? |
Bible Answer: Hi, essentially a person is accountable for what he understands. For example, an especially insightful child of say, four, who knows Christ and has accepted Christ to be his Savior then becomes accountable to Christ, but only for what he understands. Lying is a sin, disobedience is a sin, but does the child understand the nuances of pride or envy? Or how about the thirty-year-old who has the mind of the average toddler? Is he to be held at the same standards as a teenager? I haven't found any passage where a person is held accountable for something he doesn't understand. God treats ignorance with mercy (1 Tim 1:13 and Heb 5:2). The issue then becomes, is the person willing to persevere until he gains understanding and a greater accountability? Is he willing to mature in his walk with the Lord? :-) Estelle Sidebar: to gain understanding and wisdom, ask the Holy Spirit to increase your wisdom and discernment. He will answer. |