Scripture tells us that iniquity can get passed down from generation to generation, but what does that really mean? Does God really punish us for the sins of our ancestors? Linda Godsey says that generational iniquity is not a punishment from God. Rather, it is the natural consequence of our sinful nature. Sin begets more sin.
Fortunately, God wants to reveal to us our generational sin patterns, not to shame us, but to help us find freedom.
“The reason that the Lord wants us to understand these things is so he can show us a way out. His ways are always ways of blessing. Curses are not from God, those are the result of the enemy. God’s way is one of freedom. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”
We can break the curse of generational iniquity, but how? Linda says it’s all about replacing the bad with good.
“What we’re really doing is exchanging the negative things for the God things, and we call it a divine exchange when we do.”
God wants to replace the chaos and confusion of generational iniquity with his peace and blessing. However, it’s not going to happen overnight. Steady application is necessary.
“Finding freedom from sin passed down through the generations is not a one-time prayer. It’s a process that we go through and God leads us step by step through that process.”
Linda says the first step is actually acknowledging sin patterns.
“It’s identifying that area that we know is in opposition to God’s word and it’s causing trouble in our lives.”
It’s important to ask the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us to the sin patterns that are wrecking havoc in our lives, because we can’t always see them ourselves.
“We invite the Holy Spirit to come and share with us these things because most of these things are so deeply embedded we’re not going to just figure it out even though we like to try.”
Once we know the sin patterns we struggle with the most, we can then replace them with truth from Scripture.
Linda Godsey is a Freedom Pastor, speaker, author and consultant to churches and organizations. She spent over 30 years in freedom ministry building freedom teams, speaking at freedom conferences/events for churches and consulting.
Key Scripture: Psalm 118:5
Featured Songs: Legacy – Nicole Nordeman; Hello, My Name Is – Matthew West; He Knows My Name – Francesca Battestelli
Breaking free from generational iniquity
