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Are Sins Passed Down to Our Children?

Are Sins Passed Down to Our Children?

I have always believed that hereditary tendencies are what I received from my parents, whereas cultivated tendencies are what I learned as a child and as an adult. If so, then do tendencies (right or wrong) to sin pass down?

Meaning are the sins my parents did passed down as hereditary tendencies to me?


What a great question with powerful implications. In order to answer it we first need to understand a little bit about how God designed us. We were designed by God for adaptation. This means we are designed to change based on experience. This change is not mere change in beliefs, but actual physical change, including change in neural wiring and genetic expression.

We all recognize that if you decide to start working out at the gym that over time you will build muscle, improve oxygen utilization, burn fat, change the metabolic rate of your body, improve blood flow, build new capillaries throughout your brain and body, etc. All of this remodeling happening in the body requires a change in gene expression. Genes will be turned on and others turned off to accommodate these changes, which are occurring based on choices you are making.

This type of gene expression change occurs throughout life. Identical twins at age 5 have 95% of their genes expressed the same, but by the age of 70 less than 5% of their genes are expressed the same. Life experience alters our gene expression and we do pass along not just our genes, but the instructions on how our genes are to be expressed to our children.

Further, the foods we eat change how our genes are expressed and such expression can be passed down to our children. Genetically identical mice randomized into two groups and given the exact same diet were then to have pups that were genetically identical. But during gestation one group of these genetically identical animals were given the addition of B12 and folate in their diet. The pups born to the mothers with the nutritional supplements had different color fur than the genetically identical pups born to the mothers without the nutrients. What this means is that the diet of the mother changed the expression of genes in their pups. And this fur color change (gene expression change) was passed down 3-4 generations even though the pups’ diet contained no further B12 or folate. (New Scientist August, 2003, Novemeber 13, 2006).

Thus when we read in the Commandment that God punishes the iniquity of the father’s to the third and fourth generation of those that hate Him, we realize God is informing us of His design and how He created us for adaptation, with the ability to change ourselves and pass such changes along to our children. If we live lives of healthy living and gain victories over temptation, then we pass along those advantages to our children, but if we live indulgent lives, then we pass along genetic expression disadvantages.

However, recognize this, that our inherited genetics do not determine destiny. We are all free moral agents and we all have the ability to make choices, which will change us for either good or ill. This means regardless of our starting point it is our life experience, our choices, our beliefs, our experience with God or rejection of Him which ultimately determines the final outcome of our lives. As we pursue God and grow in His love we will experience change, change of mind, rewiring of brain, and genetic expression change such that every cultivated and inherited tendency to evil will be overcome. What an incredible God we serve!

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I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

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My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

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I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

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Testimony 40

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Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

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I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

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We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

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Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

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Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

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Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

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Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

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I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia