Parental Influence

Scripture: Yet he did not put the sons of the assassins to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses where the Lord commanded: “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins.”
2 Kings 14:6 NIV

Observation: “In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.” “After the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, he executed the officials who had murdered his father the king.” 2 Kings 14:1,5 NIV

Application: King Amaziah cleaned house when he became king of the people who had assassinated his father. However, because of Mosaic law he did not execute their children. The scripture actually reads, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins.” 2 Kings 14:6b NIV I believe that while our children may not be punished unto death for our sins, we cause them in most cases to suffer consequences that have life-long effects. I believe that our children suffer in their ability to make correct choices and often times have self-esteem issues which affect relationships. I don’t write this because us turning from our sin is an exercise in futility, it is Jesus taught and God ordained. I just believe that sin is so damaging that as much as we don’t want our actions to affect others I believe that between parents and children it is inevitable and we have to constantly pray for and encourage our kids to right behavior.

Prayer: Father, I know how I have failed you in my life and ultimately failed my children too. I ask for your forgiveness and I ask that you protect them from wrong decisions. I know that their bad choices, if they make any, are most likely a result of my sinful behavior and the influence that it has had on them as they developed their ability to decide right from wrong; I am sorry. I ask in Jesus’ name for you to protect them. Amen

Doug