is it true that kids will be punished for their parents sins?

Question

my grandma told me if someone treats someone wrong then God will punish their kids for treating someone wrong. it sounds like a load of crap and she hasnt shown me the passage in the bible yet

Answer 1

There is a passage in the Bible that says that the sins of the fathers will be visited upon the children. I don't think that it means that in a literal sense God will punish children for their parents' wrongdoing. Rather, I think it means that the actions of the parents will have consequences that will affect the children.

Answer 2

the true translation thats a little lost in english is that the mistakes of the parents are punishing-effecting the children. It is not a future threat, it is an observation. And if u understand it in the terms of modern psychology, a right one. Dont take the word sin as something unsacred. That is not what the original meaning of it was. It use to mean making a mistake, loosing the target.

Answer 3

When the Bible talks about children suffering for their parents sins it has to do with parents who don't raise their kids right. For instance, if your parents don't teach you how to live your life in a moral way and you follow in their immoral footsteps you will suffer as a result. Also children suffer from their parents sins when for example a father is an abusive drunkard. In the Old Testament is says:

Jeremiah 31:29 In those days they shall no longer say: "'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.' 30 But everyone shall die for his own sin. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

In the New Testament is says that everyone who comes to Jesus is adopted into God's family and all of their sins are forgiven, so people who believe in things like a generational curse should realize that even if such a thing does exist once you are in God's family you are no longer a part of your old family so such a curse wouldn't apply to you.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Answer 4

Exodus 34:7 refers to "punishment for the errors of fathers upon sons and upon grandsons" but this is regarding the entire nation of Israel. If the nation as a whole rebelled against God, the punishment of being taken into captivity by another nation would have long lasting effects to the children of the generation that had sinned.

But Ezekiel 18:20 refers to individuals when it says "A son himself will bear nothing because of the error of the father, and a father himself will bear nothing because of the error of the son. Upon his own self the very righteousness of the righteous one will come to be, and upon his own self the very wickedness of a wicked one will come to be."

So God doesn't punish children for their parents sins, but people who go against God's will usually end up with consequences that effect their children. Example: When a married person who has children commits adultery, the children suffer when the parents divorce or fight about it.

Answer 5

Hello Hello there are generational curses. Exodus 20:5 talks about this but those are to those who don't love God these curse can be broken yes i have heard were a young man shall pay for the old mans sins but when Jesus died on that Cross he died for every ones sins if you have accepted Jesus as your personal savior you are free of sin of all sin repenting means to turn away from sin and do them know more please free your mind of your question if your Love the Lord our God sin has no power over you our your children.

Answer 6

I don't think that they are punished but they can suffer from the sin of their parents. How many children suffer because of the alcohol and drug abuse of their parents? How many have AIDS because of their parents immoral behavior? How many suffer shame and embarrassment when a parent is arrested for illegal activity? How many have self esteem issues and make wrong decisions causing their own suffering because of the mistakes of their parents? I did so I know it can happen, I am not blaming them because I made my own decisions but I know that in many way they contributed to it.
It should make us think as parents a little more before we make our decisions on how we want to live our lives.

Answer 7

Why do we need the threat of punishment (or punishment of our kids) to be good people? Or the promise of reward? That's one major thing I don't like about Christianity, it assumes we'd all be thieving, raping, lieing murderers if it wasn't for the threat of hell. What's the point of being a good person if the only reason you are is to get your prize?

Answer 8

Yes that happened in the Old Testement, but in the New Testement Jesus comes and brings grace. So I would have to say when a parent sins it could effect the kids, but not passed down to them.

Answer 9

I am in full agreement with KellyL but would like to add this thought....

if you grow up in a house that is full of cursing you typically (typically but not always)....if you grow up where drinking is acceptable then you will drink...continue on and add lifestyles that people allow their children to grow up in...

With that thought in mind...the sins that are brought before the children will be revisited by the children either in their minds or unfortunately in their deeds in the acts that they themselves commit...

God doesn't have to punish them bc their own mind allows them to bring back to remembrance the things...now if they go on and perform them then yes God will have to chastise them for their actions...

Answer 10

first of all u should show some repsect to ur grandma ........... as to ur question, this is how i see it:

point a finger - three will be pointed at u
harm someone - u will be harmed more
make a curse - 3 will come upon ur head

doesn't have to be taken litteraly to think of our kids paying for our sins - it's more likely u'll get punishment even in this world ....... seen it happen many times

best of luck and behave urself for God's sake