If you were looking for more scientific data to support the belief that humans are sinful by nature, today is your day. The Telegraph of London announces the (surprising?) result that “babies are not as innocent as they pretend.” They report:

“Behavioural experts have found that infants begin to lie from as young as six months. Simple fibs help to train them for more complex deceptions in later life.”

More snippets:

“Infants quickly learned that using tactics such as fake crying and pretend laughing could win them attention. By eight months, more difficult deceptions became apparent, such as concealing forbidden activities or trying to distract parents’ attention. By the age of two, toddlers could use far more devious techniques, such as bluffing when threatened with a punishment.”

Read the whole thing.
Time to polish off that rod of discipline.
(HT: Current Christian via Abraham Piper)