Friday Fight 88 - Generational Sin

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF88.

Have you ever looked back on an action or a behavior and wondered what the heck you were doing? Perhaps your reflection had you shaking your head, confused as to why this particular pattern ever unfolded. The behavior may have felt familiar or reminded you of a sibling, parent, or other family members. What if our negative patterns were placed within us years ago, even generations? What does this mean and how do we fight this?

Generational Sins:

Think about a gift or talent you may have that is similar to one of your parents. For example, You may be musically gifted, artistic, or even wonderfully organized. I have a daughter, and people often say we are similar in how we speak. You may share a beautiful skill or ability with one or even both of your parents to some degree. Unfortunately, gifts and talents are not the only things we receive from our parents; we also carry some sins which are passed to us at birth. Generational sin is when the same sin impacts multiple generations of the same family. Some sins are more straightforward in their recognition, but it doesn't mean they are any easier when trying to break a cycle. 

Suppose we struggle with a sin that we recognize in one of our parents; it's likely generational, and we should pray to God about that sin stopping with us. For example, if we have issues with alcohol or gambling and the only person who understands our desires is a parent, they are likely part of the lineage of generational sins passed onto us. It could be any sin, rage, pride, or sexual deviance, to name a few.

If you want to know if something is generational, look at those before and after you; if you see similar struggles or sins, it is generational. So, what can we do? As we celebrate this season, remember that Jesus was born to save all of us. Let's prioritize our thankfulness for that gift. Focus on God for sacrificing His Son, enabling us to have a new life in Him. The creator of the universe sacrificed His Son for our sins, our parents' sins, our grandparents' sins, etc. We have a responsibility not to pass things, not of God, that we did not even realize were passed to us.

What else can we do? First, ask God to break generational sins; we must be aware of its existence and the destruction of its patterns. Second, pray and ask God to reveal to your heart those sins that He wants to stop with you. Lastly, pray against all sins by referencing Scripture. The enemy of our souls wants nothing more than for sinful habits and patterns against God to become so ingrained in our family line that they become second nature and acceptable.

Let's take some time this season to look at those things we struggle against or wish to stop in our family lines, then pray. Because of original sin, we all have sins passed to us from our mother and father at conception. Rather than being pulled apart by generational sins or repeating toxic patterns, let's lift these patterns to Christ and repent on behalf of future generations. Let's make sure any generational sins stop with us. Pray for forgiveness for moms' and dad's sins, then pray against added sins. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for awareness and correction of new sins. Let's not give darkness any more authority in our lives or the lives of our families.

Pastor Shannon

New Life Calvert