In substance abuse circles, there is the much-debated topic of genetic versus environmental causes of addiction. This debate rages because of the obvious reality that the curse of addiction is somehow passed down generationally.
When we interview His Way applicants or investigate their background, we find a lot of absent fathers, incarcerated fathers, or even prematurely deceased fathers, all as a result of the father’s addiction.
Scripture warns us and even tragically reveals to us generational curses. As fundamental as the Ten Commandments, the second commandment regarding not making and worshipping idols says,
“You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for 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.” (Exodus 20:5)
There are also a multitude of examples such as Abraham who twice denies that Sarah is his wife to protect himself from Pharoah in Egypt and Abimelech, king of Gerar. Then later Isaac, his only son, does the same thing with his wife Rebekah before Abimelech. Like father, like son.
As you read through the history of Israel’s and Judah’s kings the consistent retort of judgment is, “He did what was evil before the Lord like his father had done before him.”
Most of our brothers at His Way will come to recognize the generational curse that they inherited, and they will swear to have no intention of passing the curse on to their children. Yet they are sitting in a recovery facility removed from their children, and in many cases, they have spent several months before being separated by incarceration. When probed, they will admit that when they were free, they were out running the streets with friends instead of at home with their children. Without decisive intentionality, they tragically will pass it on.
So, what are the keys to breaking these generational curses?
Admit
We must recognize the family and our own personal patterns that have contributed to many bad life choices. We tend to cover up these deficiencies in ourselves or others to protect our reputation or loyally defend the honor of others. While not blaming others or excusing ourselves, we need to admit what has and is happening to address it.
The scriptures urge us. In Nehemiah’s prayer of confession, he states,
“I now pray before You day and night for the people of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the people of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against You. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.” (Nehemiah 1:6)
Notice he admits not only his father’s sins but his own also.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
Admission or confession is only the beginning of breaking the curse. The Proverb writer, Solomon, also points to the next key step, Forsake.
Forsake
Scripture calls this repentance. Repentance means making a radical change of direction in heart, mind and action. Like making a total U turn!
Our professional counselor at His Way, Don Phillips, often shares this with our men. If three frogs are sitting on a log and one decides to jump off, how many are on the log? Answer: Three. Because deciding does change anything until one acts upon that decision.
Admission and confession are essential first steps, but they simply cannot be the only step to freedom.
Scripture is replete with the urging of God for us to repent. John the Baptist clearly states the reality when he says in his call to repentance,
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)
Repentance leaves us in the same place merely looking the other direction. Now we need to start taking intentional, conscious choices and actions to move in this new direction.
This leads to the next key step in breaking generational curses.
Create
One needs to start taking actions to build a new lifestyle not only for themselves but for one’s families and for the generations that will succeed them. Through the influence of Godly teaching and fellowship, we need to begin to build a new lifestyle. AA calls it new playgrounds, playmates, and playthings; the intentional creation of healthier habits and passions and hobbies. We must develop new desires and delights.
Psalms kicks us off with,
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:1,2)
We all meditate on our delights whether drugs or alcohol, sex or money, fishing or golf, gospel songs or scripture. Meditation is not a burden or discipline as much as it is an expression of one’s passions and delights.
Create New Loves!
Bless
Take intentional action to instill your change in others. Invite them into your new delights. One of our newer residents came to Christ recently, and he immediately began bringing his family into his new passion. Now they are all most excited about Sunday fellowship with believers.
The Leadership Journal shared research that says that if children are reached first in a family, then there is a 3.5% chance of reaching the entire family. If mothers are reached first, there is a 17% chance of reaching the entire family. But if the fathers are reached first, then there is a 93% chance that the entire family will be reached for Christ.
The second commandment does not end on the curse to the third and fourth generations, but continues in Exodus 20:6,
“but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
While the curse is limited to three and four generations, the promised blessing is endlessly promised to thousands. Let us be the beginning of that blessing.
Breaking the bonds of generational sin fulfills the purpose of Jesus. Jesus announces His ministry in His hometown, Nazareth, with Isaiah 61. He states that, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” and so forth in Luke 4:18,19. He declares that Isaiah’s Messianic prophesy is being fulfilled in Him. That prophesy goes on to say,
“They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:4)
Let us bless our successive generations by breaking the curse and bringing the blessing.
Our purpose at His Way is to reclaim, rebuild and restore. If you’d like to be a part of this mission, contact us today to learn how you can get involved.