Let it begin with you…
I am reminded of my high school days when we called people very interesting names. The origin of the names was a result of their flaws. Omo! I was such a mean high school student. *covers face in shame*
There were names like Ojukwu(this person had big eyeballs), angular hips and many other demeaning names😩. To us then, we were having fun and we never for once considered how these people felt as we called them by those names. I won't be surprised if by our actions those people dealt with insecurity.
I remember asking a junior who was constantly bullied why he endured the bully and never reported his seniors. He said to me, "I will also do the same to my juniors" I was surprised at such a thought. I went further to ask the seniors who bullied this boy and I found out that they were once juniors who were bullied and the cycle goes on. I won't be surprised if the first set of people I spoke about also projected this bad behaviour on other people.
"Will this cycle ever end? It wasn't their fault", someone is probably thinking towards this direction and I understand.
Imagine if no one decides to make a difference, the cycle will continue for generations. It will become a plague that torments generations. This is how patterns are set in motion.
Do not be deceived! Your actions are important. They can either make or mar a person. There's been a debate in the body of Christ about whether there's anything called a generational curse/pattern/accountability.
Dear Believer, I know that Christ has redeemed us from every curse and we are now seated with him in heavenly places. I know that you've been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ that is greater than any curse. This is indeed our reality!
BUT
The actions of those whose lineage you come from can affect you IF you keep the same practices that give these patterns an enabling power to torment you.
For example, a family that has been plagued with the spirit of promiscuity. There's a pattern of their men being a womaniser and all. As a believer, If you keep the practices that stir up promiscuity, you'll find yourself continuing that pattern even if you're saved.
Jesus' sacrifice has brought about Grace and it is the enabling power for righteous living. That is what will give us the strength to overcome any form of carnality! The power of God is in you.
My Pastor always says, "Christ is the Power and Wisdom of God".
Wisdom- Following God's instructions and submitting to his authority in order not to keep practices that can stir up a pattern.
Power- Enforcing the authority you have in Christ Jesus.
They are mutually inclusive. We dwell so much on the power dimension that we forget wisdom and I'll be dwelling on this in the coming days. We shall no longer be ignorant!
To be continued...
Song recommendation: Haske by Kaestrings
The example of bullying is really relatable, in high school, as a Junior I was bullied and oh, how it affected me, especially mentally.
I made up my mind that once I become a senior that I would never bully anyone, because I knew what it did to me, and God helped me with this, along with the family I grew up in, I was able to live very peaceful with my juniors.