GENERATIONAL CURSES: BIBLICAL OR MYTH?

Many Christians believe that some sicknesses, short life span and addictions that are common in their family are curses that have been passed down from previous generations to them as curses from God.

As a result, they often retire to mystical spiritual practices such as deliverance exercises. 

However, the question a Christian should ask is this, are generational curses taught in the Bible? The truth is, if they are not revealed in scripture, then it’s a myth. Nevertheless, if you believe in the generational curse doctrine, then my heartfelt plea, is for you to reconsider this teaching. 

Firstly, I will examine this teaching to see if it comes from the Bible? Secondly, I will discuss the remedy for the ultimate curse. Thirdly, the effect of believing in generational curses. 

THE JUDGMENT ON IDOLATRY 

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me. Exodus 20:5 ESV

The Mosaic covenant gives stipulations to be honoured and if rejected then there are consequences. Hence, what’s found in the Bible is not generational curses but God’s judgment on idolatry and unbelief.

Exodus 20:5 was the preamble to the Ten Commandments of God. It was a warning against idolatry but also a motivation for the Israelites to love God.

Furthermore, the warning of God to punish the children of the Israelites was because their disobedience will definitely be passed down to their children. As a result, it will take several generations for their wickedness's to be resolved. 

Simply put Biblical curse is just judgement on unbelief and idolatry. Amazingly, Exodus 20:6 gives the blessing for obedience which clarifies the point but also encourages the Israelites to obey the Mosaic Law.

Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16 ESV

It’s evident that Exodus 20:5 was not talking about generational curses but judgement on a rebellious people. Therefore, to reconcile this biblical teaching as taught in scripture, Deuteronomy 24:16, clearly revealed that every individual will have to take responsibility for their own sins. 

Furthermore, the prophet Ezekiel expounded on the truth of the Mosaic Law. He spoke against any sort of generational curses (Ezekiel 18:19-32). 

In addition, there are verses such as Deuteronomy 28:15-68, that are often used to justify generational curses. But these verses are covenant stipulations that are specific to the people of Israel. 

THE REMEDY OF THE CURSE 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” Galatians 3:13 ESV

The substitutionary death of Christ on the cross delivers from the curse of the law. Hence, every requirement of law that God demands that no one can fulfil, Jesus represented sinful people and therefore absorbed the full fury of God’s wrath (Matthew 27:45-46).

The curse that hangs upon all of humanity is the judgment of God for a rejection of Him and the practice of idolatry.

As it is written in the Mosaic law, those who hang on a tree of shame were damned by God(Deuteronomy 21:23). But God, rich in mercy and grace sent His Son, to be a curse on our behalf (Romans 5:8-10). 

Triumphantly, the perfect atoning work of Christ was pleasing to God. Therefore, It was the ultimate deliverance from the wrath of God, the bondage from sin and from the dominion of darkness. 

Importantly, the remedy for a generational curse, is the cross of Christ. Therefore, those who are in Christ are redeemed from the curse of eternal damnation. Hence, faith in Christ, all spiritual blessings are given to believers (Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 1:3).

Amazingly, the gift of the Holy Spirit, confirms our adoption of the Father (Romans 8:15-16). As a result we are protected from any curse or judgment. We are eternally secured and nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39).

THE EFFECT OF GENERATIONAL CURSE 

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 ESV

This verse is about those who try to add Judaism to the gospel. In other words a work based salvation, and a teaching which adds to the perfect work of Christ. However, Paul strongly warned those who preach and believe this sort of gospel.

Similarly, generational curses are man made doctrine that adds to the atoning work of Christ. Such belief destroys and imprisoned a person’s life and faith in God. The serious truth is that this man made doctrine undermine the scale and power of the work of God in Christ. It also accuses God of something that He has not done or doing.

So if you have been taught to believe this doctrine, can I encourage you to study the Bible correctly to see if there’s any warrant for such teaching.

On another note, remember that through God’s grace, man has discovered that genetics in a family tends to make it easier for someone to acquire the same disease as their parents or grandparents. There are also generational cycles in families that can impact certain people but should not be an excuse for the idea of generational curses. Amazingly, God has given us His Spirit to overcome sin.

In conclusion, are generational curses biblical or a myth? The answer is that it is a myth and cannot be found in the Bible. Most importantly, it is for freedom that Christ died for us (Galatians 5:1). Therefore, trust in the gospel of Christ, because through Him, we can and have the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).