Spiritual Paternity Test

THE PATERNITY TESTS ARE IN!
IS HE YOUR REAL FATHER?

DNA Tests Reveal the Truth

Are You My Real Father?

We've all seen topics like this floating across the screen on all the current talk shows. The proof of paternity seems to have become a very popular topic since the increased use of DNA testing. In times past, the mere resemblance of a child to his supposed father was proof enough to establish the fact. Nevertheless, knowledge has increased and our society has become well aware that appearance can be very deceiving. Whenever one of these talk shows hits the air, I often wonder if I bare the resemblance of my Heavenly Father in every possible aspect of my life. What does the world see when they look at me? Do I look like the family of God or do I look like them? More specifically, do I carry the "spiritual genes" to prove that I am a child of God? What if Ricki Lake hosted a show for the Church? How many of us would pass the spiritual DNA test?

In order to understand how DNA validates familial history, let's revisit our middle school biology and remember that DNA is merely an acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid. This chemical compound contains descriptive pairs of adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine, which determine the characteristic genes that become apparent in an individual. This genetic material is what causes a child to look and act like his or her parents. However, it must be noted that from time to time, a resemblance may exist between two people, though they do not share the same genetic material or have familial ties. There are also three other important facts about the presentation of DNA and genetics that we must keep in mind: (1) Genes cannot blend; (2) Some genes are dominant; (3) Genetics don't always explain behavior.

For the sake of argument, let’s assume that for a Christian, DNA stands for "Devil, No Authority!" Our spiritual DNA, or the lack of Satan's power in a particular area of our lives, permeates throughout our spirits, souls and bodies. Since we know that light and darkness cannot dwell in the same place at the same time, we can assume that God rules in those areas of our lives where spiritual DNA dwells. On the other hand, whenever we allow Satan to creep in, his "genes" begin to show forth in us. Each word, action or thought will resemble the father, or originator of that thing in our lives. Many of us have obtained victory over certain issues, and bear the resemblance of our Heavenly Father, but every once in a while, Satan sneaks in and causes our face to change.

There are also children of darkness who have learned to look like children of God, even when acting on behalf of Satan, the father of this world (John 8:44). Keep in mind that some resemblance may exist between two people, even if they do not share the same genetic material. In fact, the only way we can know who is fathering our lives, thoughts or actions, is to run a continuous paternity test each day we live. Let's consider the following DNA parameters in our day to day living:

1. Genes don't blend.

No man can serve two masters, and light and darkness do not mix (Matt 6:24; 2 Cor 6:14). Every word that comes forth from our mouths, every thought and every action has a motive. It originates from God or from the devil. We must always test our actions and reactions to see if we are speaking or acting in such a way that is pleasing to God. Though a difficult concept to swallow, it remains true that everything is of good or evil, and even our idle words will be judged (Matt 12:36). Therefore, we must always be careful to bring every thought and imagination under the subjection of the Holy Spirit, "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).

2. Some genes are dominant.

The Holy Spirit that dwells in us is much greater than the demonic forces that tempt us and sometimes lead us into turmoil. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). This explains why we are able to live righteous lives, even when sin is with us. We are able to overcome the wiles of Satan by our faith (1 John 5:4), and no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper if we live as children of God (Isa 54:17), consistently dying to our flesh and confessing our faith.

3. Genetics don't always explain behavior.

The children of God are born in iniquity and live in a world saturated with sin and deception. When we sacrifice our lives to God (Rom 12:1-2), we become new creatures (2 Cor 5:17), but we still make mistakes. Our mistakes don't divorce us from the family of God. His grace is sufficient for us (Lam 3:22-23; 2 Cor 12:9), and we are able to confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and continue to be comforted in the bosom of God (1 John 1:9). In other words, just because someone does bad things does not indicate that the individual is of the devil, just as a person who performs good deeds does not necessarily belong to the family of the living God. We are saved by grace rather than any works we have done (Eph 2:8-9).

Now we have established the genetic test categories that reveal the spiritual paternity of our lives. These spiritual genes are expressed daily in our spirits, souls and bodies, and make a testimony of our true relationship (or lack thereof) with God. I challenge each of us to take the "Devil, No Authority" test and apply it to each of our lives, every day that we live. Fortunately, our Heavenly Father has provided, in his Word, a detailed description of how we must live in order to become children of God. We then reserve the right to an ultimate choice: Whose family will we join and live with throughout eternity? Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are able to accept salvation and claim lineage as the children of God through the spirit of adoption (Rom 8:15) or we may serve the god of this world (John 8:44) and accept the devil as father.

The paternity tests are in. Is HE your real Daddy? Don't wait for the talk show to air. Just think about it…

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Joy Uvette Rollins

for THE MESSENGER, UFCC

22 May 2000. All rights reserved.