Despising Our Birthright
“Knowing our birthrights releases us from a spirit of slavery or fear.”
Beth Moore
Yesterday I had the privilege of holding our friends’ precious newborn daughter. I couldn’t help but think about the birthright she instantly inherited by being their daughter. Birthright is a gift given at the time of birth; it’s not something we work hard to earn. All that her parents’ possess will someday be hers and because she is their daughter, she has certain rights and privileges that others could never experience. She has the right to their affection, attention, affirmation, and care.
Likewise, when I was born again into the family of God, I inherited certain rights and privileges. All that Jesus possessed, I now possess. His wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and acceptance became mine at my second birth. Because I’m His daughter, I can climb upon my heavenly Daddy’s lap to receive His love, comfort, and protection.
In Genesis 25, Esau, the firstborn son, had specific privileges that his younger brother Jacob did not possess. In a moment of desperation, Esau sold those birthrights to Jacob for a meal. “So Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34b). Despise means “to look down on and to regard as worthless.” I become like Esau and despise my birthright when I don’t live like who I am, a daughter of the King of Kings. I despise my birthright when:
I believe the enemy’s lies and accusations over God’s truth and affirmation.
I don’t walk in my God-given authority.
I cower to fear of man instead of fearing God.
I choose to not exercise the spiritual gifts He’s given to me.
I live like an orphan with a victim/scarcity mindset, instead of living like His princess, having the mindset of a victor.
I choose not to please and obey my Father and I selfishly choose to please myself.
I don’t embrace an intimate relationship with the Lover of my soul.
My desire for you and for me is to fully embrace our birthright as precious daughters and sons of the Most High God.
“When you get to a place where you understand that love and belonging, your worthiness, is a birthright and not something you have to earn, anything is possible.”
Brene Brown
Relevant Reflections:
Make a list of your birthrights as a child of God.
How have you despised your birthright?