You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, those who love Me and keep My commandments.  Exodus 20:4-6 HCSB

This scripture passage is one of several in our Sunday School lesson for this week. When I read it I must admit that I thought it was very unfair for children to suffer because of their parent’s sins. But as I continued to study this passage, I realized something. Our sin has consequences and these consequences can continue on from generation to generation. Think about this for a minute. Children who grow up in a home where one or both parents smoke are more likely to smoke. Children of alcoholics are more likely to become alcoholics. Children of drug addicts are more likely to become drug addicts. Children who grow up in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to become abusive to their spouse or victims depending on their role in the family.

Sadly, bad behavior is handed down just as holiday traditions are handed down. Proverbs 22:6 tells us that if we train a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. We learn behaviors from our parents. I thank God everyday for a mother that insisted that I go to church every time the doors were opened. She saw to it that I was in church on Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. And yes, as I got older I did not attend as faithfully as I should, but I finally realized the error in my ways and have returned to that same pattern.

Now maybe you are reading this and saying, “I don’t have children, so no worries.” And to that I would say that you still have people in your life that you influence. It may be a friend or a family member or a co-worker, but you influence those around you whether you realize it or not.

Often times I look at my sister and think how much she is like our mom. There are also times when I say things and think I too am like mom in some ways. We learn behaviors, good or bad, and we pass them down through the generations. I want you to stop and take a minute to reflect what you are passing down. Are you passing down a lifestyle where you put all kind of other things ahead of God? Is your life so busy that you can only sometimes make time for church? Are you teaching your children that church is something you do when you feel like it or have nothing better to do? Are you teaching your children that work and hobbies and playtime come before Bible study, prayer and church attendance?

God commands that we put Him first. When we do this it shows. It will be evident to those around you, especially those you influence. Don’t you want to give your children a good foundation and teach them to put God first in their lives? If you want to see them blessed and protected as they go through this crazy world teach them to put Him first. Teach them to turn to Him and trust in Him. Teach them to pray constantly. Wouldn’t it be better to hand blessings down from generation to generation?

Perhaps you have grown up in a home where there was not a good role model for Biblical living. You have the opportunity to stop allowing this sin to affect the generations behind you. There is no better time than the present to turn to God and put Him first in your life. Then you can teach your children and they can teach their children to do the same.

Have a great day!