Dysfunctional families create one generation after another of “generational sin”. This is the natural consequence of rejecting God and His ways for our lives. We tend to miss something when we quote Deuteronomy 5:9 and ignore verse 10. (9) “You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (10) but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (ESV). The pattern of generational sin is broken when we turn to loving God and practicing His ways of living in our lives. Generational dysfunction is not inevitable; it can be broken. The secret is turning from rejecting God (v. 9) to loving God (v.10).
From “Growing Toward Maturity”, by H. Lamar Smith
