By Evang. OLADIPO OLUWATOSIN
It is heartbreaking that many Christians today still live in the shadows of family traditions and ungodly customs, even after professing faith in Christ. These practices, though ancient and deeply rooted in culture, often contradict the Word of God and continue to destroy lives, marriages, and destinies.
Mark 7:8-9 (KJV): “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men... And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
Colossians 2:8 (KJV): “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men... and not after Christ.”
Many youths, Christians are walking into a fruitless marriage because they did not ask the custodian of marriage (God) for direction. Many of our ladies and men have become a tool of sacrifice according to family tradition known to the other party but for continuity he/she must fulfil their part for relevancy.
I was at a gathering of pastors when someone argued that, no religion or faith can take away the customs or tradition of their family. Thank you Jesus for the liberation. A clarion call for Christians and ministers who still engage in this evil act for a change.
I pray for somebody today, you and your household shall not become a thing of sacrifice for relevance in Jesus name, Amen.
I. The Deception of Cultural Rites in Ministerial Lives
Many ministers, despite their calling and anointing, are unknowingly trapped by family customs that contradict the gospel they preach. These include:
Polygamy as a Cultural Rite
Some ministers are compelled to marry a second wife in the village as part of a family ritual, especially after being recognized as the family’s heir or elder.
They justify it as “custom,” but it becomes a spiritual entrapment.
No wonder, all in the name of traditions many ministers now married different assignment wives. They have ministerial wife and village wife. That is the reason some pastors, prophet or Christian will never allow you to follow them to their village.
Example: A vibrant pastor returns home to bury a parent and is pressured to marry a cousin or second wife as "tradition." This marriage, though culturally approved, pollutes the altar he ministers from.
Levirate Marriage (Marrying Brother’s Wife)
While common in ancient traditions, this custom becomes a snare for ministers who are told they must marry their late brother’s or father’s wife. Yoruba called it 'isulopo'
Though such practices existed in the Old Testament (Deut. 25:5-10), they were never compulsory in the New Covenant and were fulfilled in Christ.
Example: A young minister marries his deceased brother’s wife under pressure, inviting spiritual complications and barrenness into his home.
Ministerial Inheritance of Bondage
Ministers who submit to these customs unknowingly inherit:
- Altars they never built
- Spirits they never invited
- Battles they never initiated
They carry this baggage into their ministries—explaining why:
- Their sermons are powerless,
- Their homes are full of chaos,
- Their callings are stagnant.
II. Biblical Warnings Against Such Traditions
Galatians 1:14 – Paul said he advanced in Judaism beyond many, but he later counted it all loss for Christ.
Mark 7:13 – “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered...”
1 Kings 13 – The young prophet disobeyed divine instruction to follow a misleading prophet and died. Many ministers today are dying spiritually by following old family ways instead of God’s Word.
III. Biblical Examples of Tradition Breaking & Lineage Preservation
1. Abraham: God called him to “leave thy country, kindred, and thy father’s house...” (Gen. 12:1).
If Abraham had remained tied to Terah’s idolatry, Isaac would never have been born into covenant.
2. Ruth: A Moabite by birth, she forsook her nation’s gods and aligned with Naomi’s God (Ruth 1:16). She entered the lineage of Christ by abandoning tradition.
3. King Asa: 2 Chronicles 15:16 – Asa even removed his own grandmother Maacah from being queen because of her idolatry.
A powerful example of spiritual leadership rejecting family loyalty when it conflicts with God's standards.
IV. How Tradition Destroys Marriages and Ministries
- Many homes remain unfruitful because of hidden rites performed in the name of tradition.
- Some children are born under inherited covenants and begin to suffer from:
- Rebellion, Untimely death, Marital delay.
Ministries face stagnation, splits, and scandals because the foundation is polluted.
V. What Must Be Done? (Solutions)
1. Ministers Must Be Bold to Break the Cycle
Jeremiah 1:10: “See, I have this day set thee... to root out, pull down, and destroy...”
You cannot deliver others while still tied to demonic rituals.
2. Conduct Deliverance for Yourself and Household
It starts with awareness, then confession, renunciation, and replacement with kingdom practices.
3. Replace Family Altars with Christ’s Altar
Raise prayer and Word-based altars in place of cultural shrines.
Judges 6:25-27 – Gideon had to tear down his father’s altar before being used by God.
4. Seek Counsel and Be Accountable
Ministers must submit to spiritual authorities not bound by the same traditions.
5. Teach the Congregation
Educate believers on the difference between cultural heritage and demonic covenants.
VI. A Call to Repentance
Let every minister and believer cry out like Joshua:
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Let Christ be the final authority—not the ancestors. Let the cross be the last altar—not the village shrine.
Final Prayer Points:
1. Lord, open my eyes to every tradition that opposes Your truth.
2. I break every inherited covenant and bondage over my life and ministry.
3. Father, restore my altar and use me to break generational strongholds.
4. Let every polluted marriage and family line receive healing by the blood of Jesus.
5. I will not inherit shame, I inherit the blessing of Abraham.
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