Tuesday, May 21, 2024

I feel like my family has carried a curse, or unresolved sin, for a long time, and now I realize it is generational! God created us in his image and asks us to trust him. But when Adam and Eve ate the fruit, the curse of sin was introduced into our lives.

Sin is an inability to measure up to God’s standard. It separates us from God and all his goodness. When we refuse to recognize and address it, sin seeps into everything we do — and every relationship we have. If we are not aware, we can pass it along to future generations. Have you heard the phrase “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”? This is nothing new. In biblical times, Abraham lied about his wife (Genesis 12:12-13); his son Issac lied about his wife (Genesis 26:7); and Issac’s son Jacob lied to his father to receive a blessing (Genesis 27:18-19). Instead of trusting God, Abraham and his offspring trusted in themselves.

So it’s not just in my family — it could be in yours too. You may be carrying something on in a way you’re not even aware of!

God, however, doesn’t want to leave us here. He had a plan to reconcile us from the beginning, and it’s available to us today.

Isaiah 43:18-19
¹⁸ “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

¹⁹ For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

God sent his only Son, Jesus, who took our sin to the cross so we don’t have to carry it. God offers us a power greater than ourselves. By accepting his blessing of grace, God helps us break the strongholds that have impacted a family over generations. This blessing may come in the form of therapy, groups, friendships, or Bible study.

When we bring our struggles into the light and God forgives us, it has the power to break the stronghold sin has and restore our relationships today — and in generations to come.

1 John 1:7
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Questions:
Are you carrying resentment from your family? Do you have sin that has seeped from generation to generation? Have you identified it?

Next Steps:
Identify any temperaments or tendencies that could be generational and are damaging your relationships. Ask a close friend if they see any, and be open to their insight. Have a conversation and decide what next steps you can take to move in a better direction.

Prayer:
God, help me see where curses are keeping me from being who you created me to be. Give me the courage to see it and speak it. God, make me aware. Remind me I’m not alone, because I have your blessed gift of grace over me. Help me break any generational sin, and I pray your grace into the generations to come. I thank you, love you, and praise you, all in the precious name of Jesus my Savior and Lord, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Proverbs 17:17 ESV
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Today’s post was written by Julie Estep, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.