What does it mean that God visits the iniquity or the sins of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation? Are those children doomed spiritually? Are they bound to repeat their parents’ sins? Will they bear the guilt or the punishment for their parents’ wrongdoings?
Find out in today’s post. Also, why is it so important to read Scripture in light of other Scripture? And is it wise to co-sign someone else’s loan?
Can the sins of parents determine the spiritual future of their children?
Some Christians talk about “generational sin” as though children can somehow inherit the spiritual guilt of previous generations.
Others go almost to the opposite extreme and believe that if parents follow the right biblical formula, their children are virtually guaranteed to become faithful Christians.
But what does Scripture actually say?
Ezekiel 18 gives us a striking picture of a wicked father with a righteous son—and a righteous father with a wicked son.
Why?
And what does that tell us about responsibility before God?
It also raises important questions for parents.
How much influence do we have?
What are we responsible to do?
And at what point must we entrust the outcome to God?
Today we’ll look at personal accountability, parental influence, so-called generational sin, and the hope Scripture gives both to parents and to those who came from difficult or ungodly homes.
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