This is the twelfth article in a series entitled Wonderful Counseling. You can click on the link to find the entire listing of articles.
One of the least understood and most controversial areas of bondage is related to the sins that are repeated generationally in families. When these sins are not acknowledged and forgiven by God, they invite his judgment, resulting in generational devastation. We have all witnessed the repetition of certain sins in certain families, be they abuse, alcoholism, divorce, etc. There can be numerous reasons for these sins to continue generationally, one of which is the modeling of destructive behavior, setting up an expectation for repetition. Another might be a genetic propensity toward something such as an addiction to alcohol. We cannot rule out a spiritual component to sins continuing down through the generations either.
Most Bible students are aware of God’s Old Covenant warning that he will visit the sins of the fathers on the third and fourth generation of those who hate him.
...I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6 (ESV)
The concept of generational curses or judgments being able to continue running through the families of born again believers as a result of the sins of their ancestors is highly controversial in light of what Christ accomplished through his death and resurrection. Our Lord Jesus broke the power of sin, guilt, condemnation, death, disease, and everything else that seeks to hold us in bondage; yet, I also have seen generational sins repeat even in families that love the Lord. What gives? Is there a way to prevent this from happening? Can we tap into Christ’s finished work in a way that will stop these family sins from afflicting the next generation? I believe the answer is an authoritative “Yes!”
How we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ’s finished work to overcome the effects of generational sin is what I plan to lay out in the next several articles under the sub-heading of “Overcoming Generational Devastation.”
I will examine what exactly is a curse in the biblical sense and how that relates to the principle of sowing and reaping. I will also take a look at the nature of corporate guilt, repentance, and judgment, and how blessings, sin, and sinful patterns are passed down through families and even nations. I will also cover what Christ did to liberate us, and what is our responsibility in the matter. I will also examine the nature vs. nurture argument and show how both are true.
My purpose in writing is to help people like us experience the fullness of what Jesus died and rose to win for us. Isaiah prophesied that in the coming days, God’s followers would rebuild what was previously destroyed and ruined, which he identified as being generational desolation or devastation.
Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. Isaiah 61:4 (NASB)
Followers of Christ who have been set free from the power of sin, have been given the enormous privilege and responsibility to help others find freedom in Christ. Rebuilding what sin has devastated over generations can be hard work and requires tremendous courage and perseverance. Our Lord has already done the “heavy lifting” through his death and resurrection, but we have a part to play, just as those who witnessed Lazarus’ resurrection were told to “unbind him and let him go.” (John 11:44)
I hope you will stay with me as I cover these various aspects of generational sin, the devastation it causes, and the the way out through Christ. I believe it will be well worth the effort.
