Some teach that our environment—especially that which our parents provided—is to blame for our troubles. The Bible does recognize that we may have come from dysfunctional homes. However, notice what it says in Ezekiel 18:20-22, 26-28, 30:

"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. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live."

"When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. . . . Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God."

The message of these verses is unequivocal; God holds us and not our parents accountable for our actions. But He has promised that if we will take ownership of who we are and admit that what we are is not what He wants us to be, and if we are willing to let Him change us, He will give us a new heart.  Lord, Save my Family, pp. 26-27.