Are parents always to blame?
Introduction. There is the prevalent belief that parents are always to blame for their children's conduct, whether the children be ten years of age or fifty years of age and regardless of the godly training the parents have provided.
Parents are often to blame. Parenting is one of the most serious responsibilities we have enjoined on us. The God who created us has told us how to bring up our children (Eph. 6: 4). Parents who fail to set a good example and exercise their God assigned responsibilities have failed and will have to answer to God. "The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame," the wise man wrote (Prov. 29: 15). Parents whose children are still at home have tremendous responsibility to attempt to be aware of their children's goings and comings, their friends, music, video games, etc.
Parents are not always to blame. The Bible does not teach inherited or transferred sin, either regarding Adam and his prosperity, the father to the son, or the son to the father, contrary to much prevailing theology! Ezekiel discussed a righteous father having an unrighteous son and an unrighteous father having a righteous son (Ezek. 18: 5-18). Yes, such is possible, according to the Bible. Ezekiel then concludes, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" (vs. 20).
As parents, we need to look to God and his word for guidance and direction. We must provide our children with a good spiritual foundation and set of values. However, we must remember, each choose their own way and each are responsible to God for their choices (Isa. 7: 16, Prov. 4: 1-13).
Parents are often to blame. Parenting is one of the most serious responsibilities we have enjoined on us. The God who created us has told us how to bring up our children (Eph. 6: 4). Parents who fail to set a good example and exercise their God assigned responsibilities have failed and will have to answer to God. "The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame," the wise man wrote (Prov. 29: 15). Parents whose children are still at home have tremendous responsibility to attempt to be aware of their children's goings and comings, their friends, music, video games, etc.
Parents are not always to blame. The Bible does not teach inherited or transferred sin, either regarding Adam and his prosperity, the father to the son, or the son to the father, contrary to much prevailing theology! Ezekiel discussed a righteous father having an unrighteous son and an unrighteous father having a righteous son (Ezek. 18: 5-18). Yes, such is possible, according to the Bible. Ezekiel then concludes, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" (vs. 20).
As parents, we need to look to God and his word for guidance and direction. We must provide our children with a good spiritual foundation and set of values. However, we must remember, each choose their own way and each are responsible to God for their choices (Isa. 7: 16, Prov. 4: 1-13).