Familial Spirits

inspirations14

Jan 2

(Genesis 37) (ESV) Familial Spirits and families…These tend to run in families, and, of course, be passed down from one generation to the next.

(Genesis 37:3-4) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors *(or with long sleeves). But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. That old spirit of envy is making trouble again, isn't it? Cain had the same problem with Abel, didn't he? This is the reason it is crucial not to show favoritism between our children. Each one is loved exactly as much as the others. Favoritism is actually sometimes used by parents to manipulate their children. That's a no-no too. That's actually putting a stumbling block in front of your children. We don't incite envy or competition in our children. We instill encouragement, or lifting up of others, and cooperation between the siblings. Families are teams, and every member is important.

(Genesis 37:12-36) Joseph's brothers actually plotted to kill him. Reuben, however, being the oldest son, rescued him from their plot. So instead, they sold Joseph to a caravan that was on its way to Egypt. Joseph, then, was sold to Potiphar in Egypt.

Meanwhile, those other sons of Jacob's slaughtered a goat, dipped Joseph's coat of many colors in it, and deceived Jacob by telling him that they'd found it out near Shechem, where they were with the flocks. Jacob naturally thought Joseph was dead. We can see how favoritism sets us up for envy, which then sets us up for all manner of evil. Murder and deception were the two other familial spirits in this story. (James 3:16)

That kind of competitiveness is actually also a familial spirit. We see children striving all the time to get that pat on the back from Mom or Dad. Sometimes we actually can strain their relationships by instilling and/or supporting that competitive spirit between them. It's alright to strive to do your very best; but, we don't always have to win to be important to someone. When we instill a team spirit, one of an encourager and helper, in our children, we're actually making them stronger people. They won't be as easily swayed by "opinion," or become addicted people pleasers.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

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