Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Generational curses are described as those adverse consequences for sin, passed down from generation to generation, because certain sinful practices by a person’s family have become deeply rooted in one’s family tree. Children, who are born to parents who have fostered, and practiced certain evils are prone to follow in the footsteps of their progenitors.
Generational curses are not generally what The God of heaven does to persons. The curse is located in the sinful act which, when cultivated and practiced for many years, can become etched in one’s DNA. It is just the natural law of sowing, and reaping that is allowed to run its natural course.
A gene is a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring determines some of the characteristics of the offspring. The first five letters of Genesis spells the word Genes and indeed it is a book of beginnings, the beginning of good and evil, as it pertains to the history of our world.
God made Adam and Eve free moral agents to obey God, or to choose to do evil. Sadly, they chose the latter, and ever since that fatal day, our first parents lost the ability to transmit to their future offspring a disposition to naturally do righteousness, as per the working, undergirding principle in man’s nature.
The image of God wasn’t entirely effaced but it was severely distorted and as a result some persons may exhibit some semblance of right-doing in their life experience, but as a general rule, the tendency is to head downstream, some more, some less. Thus, for us to better understand the issues of generational curses we must get a grasp on the real gravity of the problem.
All children who are born, come with evil tendency and propensities built into their DNA, without any exception. The belief that a baby is born in a neutral state, with no inherent bias to any evil, is nowhere supported in the scriptures. It’s true, that as a child grows into maturity, choices ultimately determine their destiny but the issue goes deeper than choice.
Even though no one is coerced to do evil, The Bible would have us understand that sin became deeply ingrained at the fall, to the point that it can bypass choice and run along all by itself in automatic mode.
This sacred truth is to be understood by Laodicea in particular, if we are to come to grips with our dire need of Christ. If folks were to conclude that sin can only occur through conscious choice then we would most likely lean heavily on good behavior as a form of righteousness.
But if we were to understand, as the Bible says, that a DNA problem is also involved, then we would see our utter hopelessness, except we are redeemed in and through Christ. The rich young ruler in Christ’s day relied heavily on behaviors, for he asked what good thing he could do to inherit eternal life.
In response, Jesus told the young man to keep the commandments, the answer that he was actually looking for, since good behavior was right up his alley. Thus, he responded with these words: “What lack I yet” meaning, that in addition to what I have been doing, is there something I could add to the list?
What he really meant is that if Christ was to tell him what to do, he could choose to do it on his own. Yet when Christ told him what needed to be done, the scripture says he went away sorrowful.
Some persons shudder as they pass those Brownies and Twinkies on the store shelf at Publix, and those Chocolates and Ice creams beckon others with their tantalizing flavors. And even though we know what is the right healthy thing to do, somehow our deep, inner cravings are often allowed to gain ascendency over conscious choice.
Thus, some children are born with a propensity for a sweet tooth and as they reach for candy, lollipops and sweets we may be wondering why they would gravitate to such foods. Often, that sweet tooth was handed down, as a legacy from one generation to the next that then culminated in a high probability of diabetes in kids.
In fact, many persons chafe at Adam for eating the forbidden fruit, which he knew would eventually kill him. Yet, throughout history, the human family has followed his lead in eating that which we know will eventually take its toll on us. Are we doing so only by choice, or are there genetic factors at play?
DNA is a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes, and it is the carrier of genetic information. That the sin problem occurs on a DNA level, and not alone by conscious choice, could be observed in those experiences which had unfolded during Rebekah’s pregnancy.
As her future children fought against each other in her womb, they were not doing so by choice, for they had not been born as yet. There was not any conscious decision made to fight against each other. That was indeed a DNA problem that was occurring in the womb, before the other factors like choice, or evil example had effect.
And thus, a grave theological question arises as to whether the human agent is born with an inherent goodness or in a neutral state without bias to evil. Let us ask a hypothetical question, to address this issue:
If a set of quadruplets were to become stranded on an uninhabited island just after they were born, will those children naturally gravitate to righteousness, or would they have fights and squabbles, just as we who have evil examples before our eyes every day do?
Do they necessarily have to come into contact with other evil persons in order to learn evil by example? Or would they do wrong without seeing or hearing it? Is sin a second nature problem, or is it solely the result of learned behaviors? This question must be answered from the scriptures, before we proceed. Let’s read:
Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Prior to this, there had not been any murder of any human being on the planet, for us to conclude that Cain was playing follow the leader. This was an act that came to life not only by choice, but because of the fallen nature inherited from Adam. Suicide, by choice was also transmitted to future generations, since, when Adam deliberately ate of the forbidden fruit, he knew that he would die.
Similarly in our day there are many things that we eat which we know will kill us eventually, but like Adam we still go ahead and eat them. In fact, if the surgeon general were to put a coffin, with a skull and two crossed bones on packs of cigarettes, folks would still smoke them, even though they know of lung cancers and a host of other debilitating effects.
Again, let’s go back to that scenario with Rebekah. The children had not yet seen or heard any evil, and they had not watched call of duty, or any one of the movies that promulgate violence, and yet, here they were, fist fighting in the womb, before they were even born.
Were those ongoing fights the result of a conscious choice on their part, or was it the result of our fallen human nature manifesting itself in capricious, and often random ways? Let’s read:
Genesis 25:21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
What is worthy of note is that they never stopped fighting up to the point of delivery, for even as the mother was experiencing labor pains, the continued fighting never abated. Let’s read:
Genesis 25: 25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob.
That’s the reason why, when studying the issues of generational curses we must look deeper than mere choice, for genetic factors are also to be brought to bear on the issue. As David reflected on what he did with Bathsheba he was greatly surprised and greatly dismayed that he, who had written so many verses of scripture, could descend so low as to kill a man to hide his rendezvous.
In his repentance, he brings to light the fact that he was responsible for the deed via his own decision, but he also mentions the fact that he was born with evil propensities and as such, he appeals to the God of heaven to have mercy not only on his sin but also on his natural fallen condition. Let’s read:
Psalms 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that You may be justified when You speak, and be clear when You judge.
5 Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
And the prophet Isaiah, who writes extensively on the redemption that was to be wrought out by God through Jesus Christ, brings to light the depth of the sin problem. He alludes to the fact that it’s not only our choices, but it is a fallen condition we are born with, that makes the grace of God in Christ, all the more necessary. Let’s read:
Isaiah 1:5 Why should ye be stricken anymore? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
Jeremiah 17: 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Some persons struggle with alcohol, and try as they might on their own, the habit seems very difficult to overcome. Now it is true that their own choices can put the responsibility squarely at their doorstep but can it be that the tendency to drink booze has been transmitted to them genetically via DNA. Let’s read:
[Manuscript 108] The Bible declares that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Tobacco and liquor stupefy the user. But the evil does not end here. Intemperate parents leave maladies as a legacy to their children.
Legacy: The long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, that took place in the past, or in a person’s life.
[Manuscript 108] As a rule every intemperate man who rears children transmits his inclination and evil tendencies to his offspring; he gives them disease from his own inflamed, corrupted blood.
Licentiousness and imbecility are transmitted as an inheritance of woe from father to son, and from generation to generation. This brings anguish and suffering into the world and is no less than a repetition of the fall of man.
Very many persons within the Christian community may not have understood the conundrum that sin brings from generation to generation, and because of this, their approach to salvation only touches the surface. When Christ said to Peter “Ye must be born again” He was not referring to a mere change in his behaviors.
Without true conversion which the indwelling Christ brings, not only Peter, but every other human being for that matter, would use their freedom of choice to foster and indulge evil tendencies and propensity that are lodged in our DNA, and therefore it is not a matter of merely changing behaviors; a new heart and mind must be installed into our persons by God Himself.
There are very well-behaved persons out there, in the secular world, who are Atheists, and who, as far as track record goes will beat many Christians hands down. Yet, vestiges of our fallen human nature will be manifest at some level and in different ways and situations, in those persons, sometimes without any warning whenever the right set of circumstances do converge.
The Bible states this truth unequivocally, so that no one be deceived as to the gravity, and depth of the sin problem in us. Yes, we can and must choose, but the problem goes much deeper than merely choice. Let’s read:
Romans 7: 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Romans 3: 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
11 There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that
doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips.
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
8 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Thus, as we seek to find out how to reverse those generational curses that have plagued us, it will do us well to read what the servant of The Lord has to say on the matter. One cannot put into reverse the problem, if it is not understood how one must move forward, in freeing ourselves from the generational shackles with which we’ve been bound. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs And Prophets pp 306] “Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me.” It is inevitable that children should suffer from the consequences of parental wrongdoing, but they are not punished for the parents’ guilt, except as they participate in their sins.
It is usually the case, however, that children walk in the steps of their parents. By inheritance and example, the sons become partakers of the father's sin.
Wrong tendencies, perverted appetites, and debased morals, as well as physical disease and degeneracy, are transmitted as a legacy from father to son, to the third and fourth generation. This fearful truth should have a solemn power to restrain men from following a course of sin.
Thus, the question looms large: How does a person reverse generational curses? The answers will be given distinctively and with clarity, so that we could live victoriously from day to day. First though, folks should never ever succumb to the doctrine of devils which says we have fallen too low, so that changes for the better cannot occur. Let’s read:
Ezekiel 18: The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean you by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord God, you shall not have occasion anymore to use this proverb in Israel.
14 Now, lo, if a man begets a son, that sees all his father's sins which he hath done, and considers and does not such like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbor's wife,
17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
19 Yet you ask, does not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
In other words, the first step in generational curses being reversed is to use our God-given freedom to chose the good over evil. Choosing righteousness is not going to enable us to do righteousness on our own, but our choice opens the door for God to come in and do what only God can do; and that is to make us a new creature. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1st John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Generational curses do not bind anyone in an iron destiny from which persons cannot escape. We can absolutely escape, because the grace of God in, and through Christ has been given to force generational curses into reverse gear permanently.
In other words, the buck stops with anyone of us who will access the motive power to will and to do, which is found in Christ alone. Just because our two parents had diabetes, does not mean to say that we must inevitably be diabetic. Through Christ, we can, and should grab the bull by the horns, and do that which enable us to live victoriously.
Just because one’s parents loved ice cream does not mean that the children must inevitably be servants of Ben and Jerrys. If a lack of physical exercise was a contributing factor, then all the kids who come after should be exercise fanatics, watching their diets and foods closely, so as not to aggravate or facilitate the onset of generational diseases.
Breast cancer in one’s family tree does not mean a woman from that family has no other choice but to get breast cancer. Living victoriously would involve studying the history of one’s family, and looking for those red flags of behavioral patterns that fostered the growth, and development of cancer, and then, with Christ abiding in the heart, victory could be realized in very many cases.
The same thing goes for tendency and propensities which have become deeply etched into a person’s DNA because of generations of indulgence by one’s progenitors. As David’s son, Solomon should have studied the failings, and the missteps of his father, especially since he was the son of Bathsheba.
Then as he traced from cause to effect, the downfall of his father, he should have made a resolute, and a deliberate choice, never to walk in David’s footsteps on that point, ever. This leads us to the next pointer in reversing generational curses. We would have to cooperate with God for it to work. Let’s read:
Philippians 2: 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Victory never falls into a person’s lap by accident. It takes diligence, stick-to it-iveness, and well directed efforts on a continuum, for any palpable results to be realized. As Joseph studied the history of Jacob, his father, with his four wives, and the multitude of troubles, arguments, fussing, and fighting that took place in his home, Joseph decided that the buck will absolutely stop at his front door.
Then, as he trusted in the power of God to do what only God could do, he also did all that he could do in order to facilitate the victory, and that is one reason why he ran like Hussein Bolt, when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him into sin. Sometimes, as men, we will have to be humble enough to run, in order to reverse a generational curse. Let’s read:
Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8 But he refused….
10 And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph, day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
The next step in reversing generational curses is to study the word of God on a daily basis, so that the mind will be preoccupied with righteousness and victory, instead of evil tendencies and failure. The daily study of God’s word gives an active reference point in discerning between right and wrong.
Therefore, individuals who may endeavor to reverse generational curses without a study of the scripture on their agenda, will find out sooner or later that a deeply rooted tendency to evil can come back with a vengeance, after the routing process had begun.
A victory today does not necessarily mean a victory tomorrow, and what we may have overcome in the few months after baptism, does not atone for the conflicts that lie ahead. As thy days, so shall thy strength be, and therefore, we would need to be inoculated daily with the word, in order to vanquish some variant or strain of a generational curse. Let’s read:
Psalms 119: 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
[Patriarchs And Prophets pp 460] “Keep thy heart with all diligence,” is the counsel of the wise man; “for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. As man “thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7.
The heart must be renewed by divine grace, or it will be in vain to seek for purity of life. He who attempts to build up a noble, virtuous character independent of the grace of Christ is building his house upon the shifting sand. In the fierce storms of temptation, it will surely be overthrown.
This leads us to our final pointer in reversing those generational curses that plagued us in former years. We will need to guard well the avenues of the soul.
As we have stated time and time again, God is more down to earth and practical in His instructions to us than many persons realize. When endeavoring, by the grace of God to reverse a generational curse we should do all we can to avoid situations, and places that tend to fan those latent tendencies into life.
Persons who are struggling to overcome porn, are to try their best to stay as far away as possible from South Beach. The sights and sounds down there are only going to conjure up memories and propensities that would be contrary to victory.
Again, persons who are struggling on the point of diets and foods, are to be very careful with places that offer buffet style menus. It’s not all you can eat, it’s all you should eat. If one has difficulty with self-control and discipline, then, going to such a place that offers unlimited food, might prove too great a temptation.
Again, persons who are struggling with anger issues or temper tantrums, should avoid places, or movies that would agitate such feelings. The wisdom that’s born of God, coupled together with our intelligence, purposefulness and deliberate decisions would pave the way for victory over most inherited or cultivated tendencies to evil.
And if we were to cooperate with God, we will soon discover that most generational curses, can be put into reverse gear permanently. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that confirms this sacred truth, and it’s the will of God that victory over every besetting sin be a reality, and not a mere theory in the lives of all who will trust and obey. Let’s read:
Romans 8: 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
God Bless!