When you think of the word “inherit”, many initially think of an “inheritance.” An inheritance is often a sum of money, gifts or property given to you when someone you know has passed away. This person was either a good friend or a beloved relative and they bequeath some of their fortunes to you upon their passing. You did not pay for them. You did not work for them. You were just very friendly, loving and kind, and that was enough for the person to bequeath some of their fortunes to you.
The word, “cultivate,” on the other hand is something that you have worked for. When you think of cultivate, the first thing that may come to your mind is often a garden. You cultivate the soil by preparing it for planting of flowers, vegetables or trees. Once you have cultivated the soil, and planted the seeds, your fruit will depend on how well you cultivated the soil. If you do not cultivate your garden well, the plants and flowers will not flourish.
The two words have widely different meanings. Although both result in a reward, one means a reward given that you did not work for, and the other a reward you worked hard to obtain.
The words can also be used to describe one’s character. To inherit means to receive genetic character traits by transmission of hereditary factors. It is something you have no control over. You did not ask for them. You did not pay for them. You did not work for them, but yet they are yours. You had no choice in the matter. At birth, a child inherits specific character traits from their parents, some good and some negative.
The truth is that all people are born with a fallen human nature, with some natural tendencies to evil—negative inherited character traits. Some have more than others. We all have a genetic inheritance that was handed down through the centuries beginning from Adam and Eve. Today, there is quite a variety of genetically inherited character traits, from Christian parents to drug addicted parents. And so, people crave things they have inherited from their parents such as, unhealthy foods, alcohol, drugs, and so on.
Inherited negative character traits also include things like, pride, revenge, anger, covetousness, greed, and animosity towards God. A child born to an angry person may have a predisposition to anger and find it more challenging to control their anger than someone born to a happy person. “O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto Thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.” Jeremiah 16:19
The inherited traits are very much a part of your DNA that you were born with. Can you change your DNA? “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23. No, you cannot change your DNA.
Satan has become very successful in causing persons to excuse their negative behaviours by leading them to think that it is not their fault. The person blames their parents who bequeathed these negative character traits to them. They feel helpless to change. They use this as an excuse for sin, believing it is hopeless to even try to
change.
Today, you can find a Christian church to suit any lifestyle that a person is comfortable with–that suits their particular character and DNA. Some churches are strict on health, others say you can eat what you want, God will not judge you for the foods you eat. Some churches say you should restrict your entertainments and not watch worldly movies and other shows that waste time. While other churches say, going to church on Sunday for a few hours is all God asks, and be a good person. Live your life any way you choose. In God’s church there may also be some unconverted souls who try to lower the standard to suit their particular inherited weak points.
“Too often we grieve the heart of Jesus by our unbelief. Our faith is shortsighted, and we allow trials to bring out our inherited and cultivated tendencies to wrong. When brought into strait circumstances, we dishonor God by murmuring and complaining.” –Reflecting Christ, p. 354
So, now that we have been born with some negative character tendencies that we inherited from our parents, what are we to do about it?
This is where the “cultivate” part comes in. Although, most of the time we are responsible for our cultivated tendencies to sin, a child can cultivate negatives tendencies also if raised in an environment that is not ideal for good healthy Christian growth. They learn from, and often copy, their parents’ sins. But, we all have hope. All is not lost because of the faulty DNA we were born with, nor for the years spent cultivating bad habits. We have hope in Christ. “Even if the character, habits, and practices. . . . have been cast in an inferior mold, if the lessons given them in childhood and youth have led to an unhappy development of character, they need not despair. The converting power of God can transform inherited and cultivated tendencies; for the religion of Jesus is uplifting. ‘Born again’ means a transformation, a new birth in Christ Jesus.” –The Adventist Home, p. 206
“The change that must come to the natural, inherited, and cultivated tendencies of the human heart is that change of which Jesus spoke when He said to Nicodemus, ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’. . . He virtually said to Nicodemus, It is not controversy that will help your case. Arguments will not bring light to your soul. You must have a new heart, or you cannot discern the kingdom of heaven. It is not greater evidence that will bring you into a right position, but new purposes, new springs of action. You must be born again. Until this change takes place, until all things are made new, the strongest evidence that could be presented would be useless.” –Christ Triumphant, p. 233
For many it is a daily uphill struggle with inherited and cultivated sins. Yet, they do not have to struggle alone. The promise of Jesus is, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26–27
In studying science, we can see that God has made a wonderful mechanism in which the human frame can overcome negative inherited character traits. It is called., epigenetics. Let us define epigenetics: Epigenetics is the study of biological mechanisms that will switch genes on and off. There are different factors that can affect the DNA to make a gene active or inactive. The word literally means, “on the genes.” Small molecules bind to DNA thereby activating and deactivating them. For example, “methyl donors” like betaine, choline, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
“Your genes play an important role in your health, but so do your behaviors and environment, such as what you eat and how physically active you are. Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence.
“For Example: Smoking can result in epigenetic changes. . . . at certain parts of the AHRR gene, smokers tend to have less DNA methylation than non-smokers. The difference is greater for heavy smokers and long-term smokers. After quitting smoking, former smokers can begin to have increased DNA methylation at this gene. Eventually, they can reach levels similar to those of non-smokers. In some cases, this can happen in under a year, but the length of time depends on how long and how much someone smoked before quitting.” https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm
When you are born again, you have a new birth. According to epigenetics, by cultivating good habits, the genes responsible for negative inherited traits, can be inactivated (turned “off”) and positive ones can be activated (turned “on”).
You do have a choice, though. You can choose to cultivate good habits or bad habits. “God will accept only those who are determined to aim high. He places every human agent under obligation to do his best. Moral perfection is required of all. Never should we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong-doing. We need to understand that imperfection of character is sin. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 330
“The Lord compels obedience from no one. He gives the human agent all the help that he requires to be an overcomer, but leaves him free to place himself, with his inherited and cultivated tendencies, under the control and guidance of the Holy Spirit, or to follow his own imaginations which are only evil, and that continually. He leaves him free to choose his associates from the pure and the righteous, or from among others. He compels no one to obey Him.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 4, p. 198
Christ promises freedom. “Those who put their trust in Christ are not to be enslaved by any hereditary or cultivated habit or tendency. Instead of being held in bondage to the lower nature, they are to rule every appetite and passion. God has not left us to battle with evil in our own finite strength. Whatever may be our inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong, we can overcome through the power that He is ready to impart.” –Counsels on Health, p. 440. What did she say here? We can overcome. That speaks of it as certainty. We can overcome all inherited and cultivated tendencies to sin. We can turn “off” those genes that contain negative inherited character traits. There is no excuse for sin.
It is sometimes very difficult to leave off with inherited and cultivated tendencies to sin. It has to be like dying. Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ.” Galatians 2:20. It is not easy to crucify self. It can be a very painful and difficult process, but it is the only way. “When the grace of God takes possession of the heart, it is seen that the inherited and cultivated tendencies to wrong must be crucified. A new life, under new control, must begin in the soul.” –Messages to Young People, p. 68. “We must leave behind us all our inherited and cultivated tendencies to wrong. We must talk and walk and work with Jesus, taking Him with us everywhere we go.” –General Conference Bulletin, April 22, 1901. “The followers of Christ are to war against every evil tendency which they have inherited or cultivated; for evil practices defile the soul.” –The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1895. So here she mentions that we are to crucify, leave behind, and make war with those inherited and cultivated tendencies to evil. This is not passive, but rather aggressive. The fight against sin can be quite aggressive when fallen human nature is battling to survive. “Germs can change your epigenetics to weaken your immune system. This helps the germ survive.” (https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm). In like manner, one sin begins to weaken your spiritual immune system, thus giving sin a stronger hold in your life. You do not want spiritual germs to turn “on” negative genes (inherited character traits) so you must wage a war against the negative inherited and cultivated habits.
Jesus made a great sacrifice for us and, “should we deem any sacrifice too great to keep our passions, our inherited and cultivated tendencies to wrong, under control?” –The Youth’s Instructor, May 10, 1900
“A genuine conversion changes hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. The religion of God is a firm fabric, composed of innumerable threads and woven together with tact and skill. Only the wisdom which comes from God can make this fabric complete.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1101. “‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.’ . . . . Well may mortal man be afraid of weaving into his character the miserable threads of his own inherited and cultivated tendencies.” –Bible Training School, August 1, 1903
Controlling your thoughts is a key factor. If you think you cannot overcome evil, you will not overcome evil. “Right thinking lies at the foundation of right doing. It is not safe to follow inclination or to allow a peculiar temperament, inherited or cultivated, to control the mind.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, p. 53. “Those who through an intelligent understanding of the Scriptures view the cross aright, those who truly believe in Jesus, have a sure foundation for their faith. They have that faith which works by love and purifies the soul from all
its hereditary and cultivated imperfections.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 238
“‘Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh (his own inherited and cultivated tendencies), the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life; but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels’ [Revelation 3:4, 5].” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, p. 384
As mentioned earlier, the cultivation process is ours to direct and to decide. We can choose to cultivate good habits or we can choose to cultivate negative ones. When you cultivate a garden, you may not see the results immediately. It may take many months of patient toil before you see the plants begin to grow and finally bear fruit. It may take time for those negative genes to be fully turned “off”. Be patient and trust in God. Go forward and never look back.
In reading through the Spirit of Prophecy, I came across quite a few quotes where it is mentioned things that we should cultivate in our spiritual garden—things we may not have inherited. If we cultivate these, and more, our negative genes will slowly be deactivated.
“Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of what some one has said or done, praise something in that person’s life or character.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 492
“Cultivate thankfulness. Praise God for His wonderful love in giving Christ to die for us. It never pays to think of our grievances. God calls upon us to think of His mercy and His matchless love, that we may be inspired with praise.” –Gospel Workers, p. 479
“Each student must cultivate the habit of industry. He should see that no second-class work comes forth from his hand.” –Counsels on Education, p. 212. “God calls upon you, young men, to make the most of the powers entrusted to you. Cultivate the habit of doing your best in everything you undertake. God is your Master, and you are His employed servants.” –Our High Calling, p. 282. What do you do when your employer is not looking?
“To cultivate religious thoughts and devotional feelings. . . . These should influence and control the entire being.” –Counsels to the Church, p. 185
“Knowledge will be of little value to us unless we cultivate the talent of speech; but it is a wonderful power when combined with the ability to speak wise, helpful words, and to speak them in a way that will command attention.” –Christian Temperance, p. 217. “Then by all means cultivate the voice to the utmost of your ability, so that you can make plain the precious truth to others. Do not fall into the habit of praying so indistinctly and in so low a tone that your prayers need an interpreter. Pray simply, but clearly and distinctly. To let the voice sink so low that it cannot be heard, is no evidence of humility.” –Gospel Workers, p. 42–43. “It requires earnest effort to overcome a long-established habit. Ungraceful gestures and attitudes detract from the influence you could have for the truth; hence it is necessary that the embassador for God should cultivate grace of manner, and refinement of language.” –The Review and Herald, October 28, 1890
“In listening to the sermon, let parents and children note the text and the scriptures quoted, and as much as possible of the line of thought, to repeat to one another at home. This will go far toward relieving the weariness with which children so often listen to a sermon, and it will cultivate in all a habit of attention and of connected thought.” –Education, p. 252. Do you remember the sermon that was spoken last Sabbath? Have you taken note of the verses that were mentioned?
“Some are not naturally devotional, and therefore should encourage and cultivate a habit of close examination of their own lives and motives, and should especially cherish a love for religious exercises and for secret prayer.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 513
“Never think that even when you do your best you are of yourself capable of winning souls to Christ. You must cultivate the habit of discerning a power beyond that which you can see with human vision,—a power that is constantly at work upon the hearts and minds of men. When you approach the stranger, when you stand face to face with the impenitent, with the afflicted, the soul-needy, the Lord is by your side, if you have indeed surrendered yourself to Him. Through the living agent He makes the impression on the heart. Your words must not be a mere parrot-like speech, but the expression of a personal experience. If you cheer hearts with words of courage and hope, it is because the grace of Christ is to you a living reality. It is God’s likeness, not your own, that is to be impressed on the heart.” –Gospel Workers, p. 309
“Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and when you are busy with your daily labor. Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer.” –Health for Daily Living, p. 57. “Cultivate love and affection for religious devotion. Better far give up earth than heaven.” –The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1189
“But those who do not cultivate the spirit and habit of prayer cannot expect to receive the golden oil of goodness, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, love.” –Testimonies to Ministers, p. 511
“It is our duty to make the best of everything, and to cultivate a habit of looking at the bright side of things. Let the cloud that shadows us pass over, while we wait patiently till the clear blue sky again appears and the blessed sunshine is revealed. . . . Let us all forget self as much as possible, cultivate cheerfulness, seek to brighten the lives of others, and we shall then have less desire to complain of our own lot.” –In Heavenly Places, p. 273
“Let the soul cultivate the habit of contemplating the world’s Redeemer. . . . Help has been laid upon One that is mighty. Jesus has given His life, that every soul might have abundant help in Him.” –That I May Know Him, p. 247
“We must cultivate love and confidence toward our brethren and sisters in the faith.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, p. 234. “Put away your mistrust and your misgivings concerning your brethren. You must cultivate confidence in them, and not regard every movement they make in connection with you with suspicion, for if you cultivate this habit, it will grow upon you.” –The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 973
“There will be disagreeable tasks to be performed. Let no duty be overlooked, with the expectation that someone else will perform it. . . . Take hold of the forbidding task, and master it, and thus you will obtain a victory. The putting off even of little duties weakens the habits of promptness that should be encouraged. Cultivate the habit of seeing what ought to be done, and do it promptly. If a board is broken in the walk, do not leave it for someone else to repair. . . . Overcome natural indolence. Do not neglect the disagreeable things, supposing that they will be attended to by someone else.” –A Place Called Oakwood (Chapter 5, Unpublished Documents), p. 122
If you did some research, you would find many more areas in which counsel is given of how to cultivate your spiritual garden.
You will also find many character traits that you should not be cultivating in your garden. I only want to mention one.
“He who takes it upon himself to correct others, is likely to cultivate a habit of fault-finding, and soon his whole interest will be in picking flaws and finding defects. Do not watch others, to pick at their faults or expose their errors. Educate them to better habits by the power of your own example.” – Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 120
Remember: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
Ask yourself, what you are cultivating in your spiritual garden. Take a few moments to contemplate and think about your life. Are you controlled by your inherited negative traits? Have you cultivated some negative habits? Are you willing to let God alter your DNA (epigenetics), to help you turn “off” inherited negative character traits and cultivate positive ones? Today and right now, you can have freedom from all negative inherited and cultivated character traits, because Jesus has promised to do so, if you are willing. “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19–20. Amen.
Wendy Eaton
Note: All emphases in quotes were made by the author