Day 298, Year 1

Cutting Off Hereditary Evil With Hatred

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26 NKJV)

In my opinion, today’s verse is the best way to explain how to address the generational wickedness of the disciples. No one’s sins haunt you like the sins of your parents or grandparents. Some people, in their understanding of themselves, will naturally adopt their parents’ choices without any prompts. Similarly, people will naturally walk into the sins committed by their parents. Hence, we need to hate the sins of our parents so that those sins will be eliminated in us by our hatred. Hating sins keeps you away from them. Yet, sometimes, if you do not hate someone, it is hard to break away from the sins they impose on you.

Some people believe that some generational evil can involve certain familial evil spirits, which cling to family members and are passed down through generations. This not only refers to certain obvious sins within the family, but may also include problems such as a lukewarm attitude toward Jesus and faith, or a love of the world while believing in Jesus, etc. As of the time of writing, research indicates that genetic factors contribute to the increased risk of criminal behaviors.

Looking back at today’s verse, I think the first thing Jesus wants believers to deal with is our attitude toward our parents. But some may argue: Does the Bible not teach believers to honor our parents? How can one hate them? In my opinion, hating the sins of our parents, etc., is actually the best way to honor them. This is because by refusing to be part of their sins, we can invite them to turn away from their sins and receive the greater blessings from the Lord. Conversely, to sin together with our family not only disrespects them but also dishonors God. Hating the sins of our family, including greed for petty gain, laziness, gluttony, hypocrisy, etc., can help us draw closer to Jesus in faith as well as the good nature that the Lord created in us. So, Jesus’ words are a call for believers to cut off all negative influences from our families and remove all the things that hinder us from being His disciples. To be Jesus’ disciple is to learn from Him deeply to be like Him. Often, thorough radical repentance will allow us, believers, to cast out all the evil spirits in our lives. But sometimes, prayers for binding and casting out evil spirits are also necessary. In this way, we will be able to achieve what the Apostle Paul wrote—hiding our lives in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:3).

Reflection questions:

1) Do you feel the need to cut off all the generational curses by hating the evil of your family? If so, what specific sins would you confess to the Lord Jesus and ask Him for His help in turning away from them with no return?

2) Do you truly want to hide everything in your life in Christ Jesus so that you can learn from Him deeply, be like Him, and become His disciple in every aspect? Why?