Since the heart is only known by God, how can we be SURE?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Subdued

I see your point, too, PO. I guess I'm referring more to learned behavior than personality traits.

I agree, too, that some people are unable to get past it as you wrote above. But that does not remove the fact that it is their responsibility as an adult to continue to TRY to change their negative and/or sinful behavior, manner, talk, thoughts, whatever. Once they're adults, can they really continue to blame their parents? If so, who can their parents blame? The grandparents? What about them? The great-grandparents? On and on it goes.

I think each adult ultimately becomes responsible for their OWN actions. My step-dad often told me, "Well, that's how my dad raised me," or "That's what my dad always said (or did) to me." I guess I could take the same route - I could criticize and ridicule and rule over my children and blame it on my step-dad, since that's what he did to me. I don't, though; because I know it's wrong.

Does that make sense??

Sure, it makes sense. Fortunately you found a better way.

My point would be dealing with those who, as yet, have not found a better way. The guy in Rico's story was unable to grasp a better way and therefore Rico walked away from him.

So, Rico recognized the guy had learned behavior and knew he wasn't going to change him, so he walked away.