In this daily Bible reading God tells Ezekiel that God was going to punish the people of Jerusalem for their sins against God. God also said to Ezekiel that even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in their midst these men’s righteous behavior could only save themselves and not the sinful people.
We are accountable for our own sins. God will punish us for our sins only. God will not punish us for the sins of other people, even family members. However, the Bible also says that the sins of the father will be visited on his descendants to the fourth generation. A father’s sins may certainly impact the lives of his family members.
Sin is a really bad thing. It affects those around us in mostly negative ways. We don’t live in isolation and can be affected mentally, physically, and spiritually. For example, a father who raises his children in a bad religion will have a negative effect on his children. This negative effect will likely continue in his descendants.
It is very difficult to break free from one’s childhood brainwashing. Even though later they may be exposed to the Truth, they will likely reject it. So, a father who poorly influences his children can cause them to make choices that will lead them to Hell.
The Bible says that only belief in Jesus will set people free from bondage to their sins. Only Jesus, who is ‘the Living Word of God,’ can open peoples’ eyes to the Truths found in the Bible.
