Generational Sin

[Jamie]

A few times in these chapters we see the sins of the previous generation manifesting themselves in the younger generation (Isaac lying about Rebekah & Rachel offering her maidservant to Jacob so she could have a son). Without going into too specific of details, what are generational sins or struggles that have been passed on to you? How can you break the cycle so your children & children’s children do not have similar battles?

[gretchen211]

A lot of sins seem to wind themselves back to the root of pride. Generationally for me, I think pride would manifest itself in ways like not admitting to being wrong or not wanting to appear weak. This became more apparent to me when I would see this played out in my own children. And as I am correcting them, I would hear the voice of the Holy Spirit (loud and clear) reminding me that this is something I struggle with. That really gives motivation to want to change. I don’t want that to be a struggle for my kids or their kids.

Stopping the cycle for me is choosing to walk humbly and asking God to help me daily so that I model that for them. It is also being vigilant to correct them when I see this behavior rear its ugly head, as well as being honest with them about wrong choices I, or my family have made, and the negative effects that came of it. Our children don’t need us to be perfect.

We see that Isaac repeated the behavior, but did he know the story? I wonder if Abraham had told him and urged him not to make the same mistake….

[Jamie]

Wow! I never really thought of that – “We see that Isaac repeated the behavior, but did he know the story? I wonder if Abraham had told him and urged him not to make the same mistake….”

[Anonymous]

Anger and harsh judgment are two generational sins that have been passed down to me. I have always struggled with my anger issues, and even had it pointed out to me at a young age that my temper is just like my Dad’s – that recognition and love by another person has helped me to become more aware of my struggle, and has helped me to shed some light on it and to use that acknowledgement as a reminder for me to control my anger. I have also taken this concern to God at various times in my life, and asked for His help in controlling my anger.

I grew up being surrounded with a lot of my family members making harsh and cruel judgments about other people. I have tried to not be this way in my own life, by putting myself in others’ shoes, and by trying to think about what they must be going through, to give me a better understanding behind their choices. This is a vital role of a counselor, to not judge others, so I try to better understand them first, and see if I can decipher why they are acting in a certain way, without judging them because of it. I have taken this concern to God at various times in my life, when I feel that I am beginning to judge others again.

[Anonymous]

I think I struggle with anger and working too hard sometimes. Both of these issues I feel are generational for me. There are times when I get angry over things that I needn’t make a fuss about, though I do not think I struggle with that as much as I used to. Also, though I think hard work is good, there are times when I work too hard. I think this can be a sin when whatever it is that I am working at becomes an idol and takes all of my attention. I also think that this can be unhealthy because there are times when I do not rest enough as a result.
I think I can break this cycle by bringing the issues before God and asking for his help, asking for help and perspective from others, and taking little steps to change my habits. Sometimes these steps mean changing this or that little attitude, not just allowing myself to run on instinct, and things of that nature. Most importantly, though, I think I need to earnestly seek God and ask for his help. That seems to me to be the best route to take.

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