DAY 13: THE PICTURE YOU INHERITED

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 NKJV

“You may have inherited the picture, but you do not have to pass it on.” — Dr. Daniel LeBlanc

THE PICTURE YOU INHERITED

Not every picture within you began with you. Some pictures were handed to you before you were old enough to recognize what was happening.

We learn more from our families than names, traditions, recipes, and physical characteristics. We can also learn ways of thinking, speaking, responding, fearing, handling money, viewing marriage, dealing with conflict, relating to God, and seeing ourselves.

A child raised around constant fear may grow up expecting something bad to happen. A child who continually hears, “We will never have enough,” may develop a picture of lack. Someone raised around anger may begin believing anger is simply how people solve problems. Someone who repeatedly heard, “People like us never get ahead,” may carry that limitation into adulthood without ever stopping to ask whether it agrees with God.

These pictures can become so familiar that we mistake them for truth.

This is why Paul tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 NKJV. When we come to Christ, we are made new, but there are still patterns of thinking that must be brought into agreement with the Word of God.

There can also be a spiritual dimension to what repeats itself through families. Scripture shows that sin and its consequences can affect generations, and we should not ignore the possibility that unwanted spiritual influences may seek to remain active within a family from one generation to another. Spirits of fear, bondage, addiction, anger, lust, deception, or other forms of darkness can find repeated agreement through family patterns and continue influencing succeeding generations.

This does not mean every family problem is caused by an evil spirit, nor does it mean a demon is automatically inherited biologically from a parent. Some patterns are learned behaviors, wounds, beliefs, habits, choices, or the consequences of sin. But when a destructive pattern continues appearing through several generations, we should be willing to discern both the natural and spiritual dimensions and refuse agreement with anything that does not belong to the Kingdom of God.

The good news is that you do not have to continue giving darkness a place in your family. Jesus has “delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” Colossians 1:13 NKJV. Whatever operated in previous generations does not have greater authority than Jesus Christ.

You can love your family without repeating every pattern in your family.

Perhaps generations before you struggled with anger, addiction, fear, broken marriages, poverty thinking, unforgiveness, or unbelief. Their struggles may help explain some of the pictures you inherited, but they do not determine the pictures you must continue carrying.

This is where we must distinguish between inheritance and identity. Something may have been present in your family for generations without being your identity in Christ. You may have grown up around fear, but fear is not your identity. You may have witnessed addiction, but addiction is not your destiny. You may have been surrounded by broken relationships, but brokenness does not have to become the pattern of your home.

Joshua confronted Israel with a choice when he declared, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 24:15 NKJV. Then he made a declaration that changed the direction of his household: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

I love those words because Joshua was making a decision about what would govern his house. Whatever had happened around him and whatever others chose, Joshua established the spiritual direction of his household.

There comes a moment when we must do the same.

Maybe your father struggled with anger, but you can say, “As for me and my house, anger will not rule here.” Maybe your family lived under fear, but you can say, “As for me and my house, we will trust God.” Maybe bondage has appeared throughout your family for generations, but you can decide that it will not receive your agreement or be given permission to continue through you.

The Kingdom of God gives us a new pattern and a new authority under Jesus Christ. We do not have to fear what operated in previous generations because our confidence is in the finished work and authority of Jesus.

Paul said, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV. Being a new creation means your past can explain where you came from without dictating where you are going.

We should also be careful not to blame previous generations or evil spirits for everything wrong in our lives. Spiritual maturity requires us to take responsibility for what we continue to believe, agree with, speak, and practice. You may not have chosen the first picture you were given, but through Christ you can choose whether that picture continues.

This is especially important because what we continually carry can become what we unintentionally pass on. Our children and grandchildren are listening to our words, watching our reactions, observing how we handle pressure, and learning what we believe about God.

What picture are they receiving from us?

Let them inherit faith instead of fear. Let them hear words of life instead of constant negativity. Let them see forgiveness instead of bitterness, generosity instead of scarcity, purity instead of compromise, and confidence in God instead of continual anxiety about tomorrow.

You may have inherited the picture, but you can be the generation where the picture changes.

Today, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any belief, pattern, agreement, or spiritual influence that does not belong in your life or family. Do not live afraid of what may have operated in previous generations. Stand confidently in Christ, refuse agreement with darkness, renew your mind with the Word, and establish a new picture for those coming behind you.

Prayer

Father, thank You that You have delivered me from the power of darkness and brought me into the Kingdom of Your Son. Holy Spirit, reveal every inherited belief, destructive pattern, wrong agreement, or spiritual influence that does not belong in my life. I refuse agreement with fear, bondage, addiction, anger, lust, deception, and every work of darkness. My family belongs to Jesus Christ. Establish Your truth, righteousness, freedom, and presence in me so that the generations coming behind me receive a legacy of faith and devotion to You. Amen.

Today’s God Imagination

I am a new creation in Christ. What operated in previous generations does not have greater authority than Jesus Christ. I refuse every destructive pattern and every agreement with darkness. I will not pass bondage to another generation. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. The picture changes with me.