The Word for Today

by Bob and Debby Gass

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‘The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’ 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

When a pattern of evil passes from one generation to the next, the Bible refers to it as a ‘stronghold’. David had a problem with lust, which resulted in an affair with another man’s wife. That same spirit passed on to David’s son Amnon, who raped his sister (see 2 Samuel 13). When David heard about it he was angry, but he did nothing. What could he say? Abraham lied to a heathen king, saying his wife was his sister in order to save his own neck (see Genesis 20). Amazingly, his son Isaac did exactly the same a few chapters later (see Genesis 26).

Experts report that children of alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholic, and a high percentage of child abusers were themselves abused children. Sometimes you can actually see the pattern coming at you from both sides of the family. But there’s good news. God heals dysfunctional families—and the healing can begin with you! Just because your parents were emotionally frozen doesn’t mean your children have to grow up without affection. God can teach you how to break that stronghold in your family so you can give your kids what you yourself never received. Gideon tore down the altar his idol-worshipping father built (see Judges 6:25) and by God’s grace you can do the same in your family! Pray over your children. Declare that the past will not invade the present; that God’s blessings will flow through you to them. Go ahead, do it and see what happens.

SoulFood: Job 11–14, Lk 1:26–38, Ps 67, Ecc 7:19–22

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2024

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