Bringing Down Generational Strongholds - 2
Bringing Down Generational Strongholds • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Please turn to 2 Cor. 10 and Psalm 32. To ensure that we're all on the same page we are talking about tearing down generational strongholds. Several weeks ago we examined
keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
The point is that iniquity and unhealthy behaviors are often passed on from one generation to the next. I challenged us to look backward and forward to identity any iniquity or unhealthy behaviors that have been perpetuated upon us and/or through us. For example, my mom and dad divorced when I was 7 and later remarried others. My mom divorced my stepfather when I was 18. Later, as an adult, even though I was responsible for my own choices, their unhealthy behaviors made it easier for me to view divorce (or walking away from a relationship) as an acceptable means for dealing with conflict. I followed in their footsteps. I divorced my first wife after 2 years of an unhealthy marriage. Later, I assumed that divorce was imminent after 5 years with Susan. To me – divorce was how you deal with relationships that aren’t working. Praise God that divorce was not an option for Susan. Learned how to do marriage and conflict Biblically.
Back to the rest of us. Some of what has been passed onto us and even continued by us has become a stronghold in our lives – a fortress that seems impossible to deal with or tear down – to have victory over. This leads us to our theme verse.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
For though we walk in the flesh [human], we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh [not of human origin] but have divine [spiritual] power to destroy strongholds. Strongholds that we are talking about at this particular moment are the ones that have been built into our lives from our families or that we ourselves have built and possibly passed on. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion [stronghold of lies] raised against the knowledge [truth] of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ …. That is where we’re heading, tearing down strongholds, and we’ll talk about that in more detail next week.
But why wait? Because a lot of us, in my opinion, are not ready for it. I mentioned last week that for many who are dealing with generational iniquities or unhealthy behaviors will need to engage in spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare – fighting with spiritual weapons. And
Spiritual warfare must begin with confession and repentance.
We began that conversation last week, and if you need my notes let me know, but I believe we need to look at confession and repentance again. It’s that important. Look at Psalm 32.
Psalm 32 is a prayer of repentance.
It’s a prayer of King David written after enduring a very dark year – emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
“It recalls the affliction and misery reaped from failure to confess the psalmist’s sin” (New Beacon Bible Commentary).
King David committed adultery with a married woman and tried to keep it a secret, but
Sin has a way of escaping.
The woman, Bathsheba became pregnant, and to cover it up, David had her husband murdered. Eventually, David was confronted by the prophet Nathan, to whom God had revealed David’s sin. When it became clear that David could no longer hide his sin (which no one can), he confessed to deception, murder, conduct unbecoming of a Hebrew King, bringing shame upon himself, his people, and his God (2 Sam. 11-12). 9, 10 months later, Bathsheba gave birth and 7 days later the baby died. It was a very long dark year for David, Bathsheba, and the people around them. Then David wrote this Psalm.
David begins with praise (Paul quoted in Romans 4).
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
There is the promise of blessing (joy, happiness, freedom) for the one who confesses.
The root meaning of the word confess in Hebrew and Greek is to agree with, or literally to speak the same word.
So the heart of confession is to agree with God about whatever God says. What He calls sin; we are to confess as sin. What He calls truth; we are to confess as truth. What He says about us, about life, love, whatever – we are to agree – to speak the same word.
So, what happens when we refuse to confess that which should be confessed? In verse 3-5, David contrasts a blessed person, a free person, with a person who fails or refuses to confess.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
For when I kept silent, How many of us are guilty of ignoring or hiding sin – whether it’s the sin we’ve done or the sin that’s been done to us? We hope it will somehow go away – hoping no one will find out. For some, we learn ways to cope with it, tolerate it, cover it? Why, when God tells us to confess. We know confession is good for the soul – but difficult to do because we are heavily invested in looking good on the outside, like we have it all together – that whatever I did or whatever was done to me – I’m fine.
David tried that and he said … my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me [conviction]; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Dried up - literally “my vitality was changed.” Remember sin = death, so unconfessed sin sucks the life out of us. Our bodies, hearts, minds, souls were not designed to harbor or hide sin. The longer sin goes undealt with, the longer a lie is believed, the longer it take to confess sin the more likely it will become a stronghold that the enemy will take advantage, which often result in emotional, physical and spiritual consequences. A sinful interior life, as David explained, which God is very concerned with, will erode and rot our souls and relationships. And, as much as we try, unconfessed sin will come out one way or another.
David affirmed that there’s a heaviness, an unsettledness, an inner awareness that something is not right between me and God and others, and that heaviness permeates what we do and who we are. Unconfessed sin is a destructive secret that goes everywhere we go and it’s constant work to keep it concealed, out of sight, and that creates tension, restlessness, weight – and it always hinders and hurts relationships.
Generational iniquity, unhealthy behaviors, and strongholds cannot be torn down and we cannot be free unless we first acknowledge and confess they exist within us.
But what happens when we begin to trust and obey God? David said,
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
After almost a year of emotional and spiritual darkness, David acknowledged, confessed, came clean - no more deceit. And God’s response? Forgiveness – which means freedom, restoration, life and so much more. Listen, until there is confession and forgiveness, there is a stronghold – the enemy has access to the situation and a hold on you and your family. Unconfessed sin is like a window that’s been left open and believe me, the thief, the enemy who wants to kill, steal, and destroy will enter through any opening until that opening is closed. The only way to close that window, the only way to begin to tear down strongholds is through confession and repentance.
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
Therefore let everyone who is godly [the faithful or loyal to God] offer prayer to you [God] at a time when you may be found [Confess while there is conviction. The longer we hold on to unconfessed sin the farther we drift from God, and the farther we drift from God the more difficult it is to hear His voice and turn around and return to Him. And our hearts harden, and we wonder where God is, why doesn't He answer our prayers, and why is life falling apart and …].
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper [Heb. – not going to make progress, not going succeed, not going to be victorious, not going to thrive. Youth ministry - 1999], but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Promise from God. If the enemy is telling you God won’t forgive – that’s a lie.
Back to Psalm 32. I want you to get this. David said,
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
What is a hiding place? A place of safety. We are safe with God when we confess and repent.
Some of you might be afraid of God.]; you [God] preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
Shouts of deliverance: When we confess, God shouts, “Yes!”
It brings Him joy because through confession we are reconciled to Him, and the healing process begins. See, until we confess God’s hands are tied. So, on one side, God is shouting yes over us, but on the other side, 2) When we confess, God shouts at the enemy. He’s like, “My child has confessed, you have no authority and power here anymore. He or she is forgiven and free – get out of here!”
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
So what do we do with this? Really, what do you want to do with this?
Spirit of God, reveal to me any unconfessed iniquity or unhealthy behaviors in me or my family. Help me to confess without minimizing or justifying.
Where in my life am I experiencing the weight of conviction and unconfessed iniquity? How might this be affecting my relationship with God and others?
God, as I agree with you, help me to receive your forgiveness, love, and safety. Walk with me on this journey toward freedom and life.
