The generational ripples of sin
Have you ever given much thought to how your life impacts others? I remember the last funeral we had in town for a young life that ended far to early due to self-medication. Seeing the sorrow and hurt left behind after this death crushed my heart.
When relating to folks deeply entrenched in their sin there is a phrase that is all too common: “I am only hurting myself.” This is a lie straight from the father of lies. Have we truly stopped to ponder the effect our sin has on those around us? Have we ever considered the ramifications our supposedly small or inconsequential act of disobedience toward the Father might have for future generations?
Disobedience spawned a giant
1 Samuel 17 tells the story of two armies gathered near the Valley of Elah in Judah. A young boy was sent by his father to carry some food to his brothers who were preparing for battle and to bring home news of to his father. This young boy witnessed the champion for the opposing army taunting and the army of God’s people. You probably remember the rest of the story – young David steps in and defeats this enemy named Goliath.
Goliath was from the city of Gath, an ancient city where the Anakites dwelt. In Joshua 11, God sent Joshua into the Promised Land to capture these cities and destroy the Anakites. We learn in Josh. 11:22 that “no Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.”
Did you get that? The very city and descendants Goliath came from existed because Joshua and the Israelites did not fully cleanse the land as God had instructed. Disobedience to God is sin. David had a giant to fight because a previous generation had sinned.
Our sin affects future generations
How often do we see the sins of one generation handed down to the subsequent generations? How many of the same “giants” do we face today because our parents did not correct their behavior? We see people who grow up in an abusive environment become abusers. Alcohol, drugs, adultery: the sins of the flesh that we grew up around seem to have a way of sticking to us like barnacles on a ship.
We cannot go back in history and remove the sin of our ancestors, but we can take care of something in our own lives today that will have a positive impact to future generations. We can become overcomers through the power and blood of Jesus Christ. By doing so we are leaving a blueprint for life and are telling future generations they are worth it.
My prayer for this year is this: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12)
Russ Rathier serves as the Vermont regional coordinator for the Baptist Convention of New England.