Do You Know Your Enemy - Week 3

Do You Know Your Enemy

Week 3: “Generational Sin and Curses”

Ephesians 6:10-12

“10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Are generational curses and generational sin real?

We were made to generate generations. 

Psalm 145:4-7 (NIV)

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

What one generation speaks, tells, and celebrates becomes a legacy (positively or negatively) to the next generation.

1) God is a generational God. 

Exodus 3:6

6 “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.”

2) God thinks and works generationally. 

Instead of transferring a legacy of life and a Godward legacy, Satan desires a transfer of sin and a Godless legacy. 

What is his scheme against God's legacy plan?

1) Make them believe they are the victims of the generation before them.

Ezekiel 18:2-4

 2 “Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’? 3 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you will not quote this proverb anymore in Israel. 4 For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.”

2) Run to the opposite of your family's downside, but don't run to God. 

Your parents' sinful heritage predates them.

We are all condemned by the law but not changed by it. 

Only when we run to God can we be delivered from sin and have a Godly legacy begin. 

Galatians 3:13-14 

13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

Galatians 5:16-18 

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.