Generational Curses
Personal traits handed down from generations to generation can help determine our physical appearance, our height, body size, personality, and many of our abilities to perform in life. Grandparents are the first to point out how the new born grandchild looks like or acts like their parent. We enjoy seeing our own traits and behavior characteristics reappear in our children and grandchildren. When these patterns continue to improve our succeeding generation it is a good thing, however, when they start depriving our children we should not allow them to weave their destructive threads into our families. When we start noticing consistent patterns of character flaws or traces of human depravity always dominating the lives of those down through our family's history, we should take notice and start doing things to eliminate these negative attributes.
A continuous pattern of human destruction, due to personality imperfections, illnesses, or lifestyle choices, can be the result of generational curses. We see these things show up when people in a family line are always making the same bad choices or continuously having the same sicknesses or when it seems the family can never get past something that is always rising up to defeat them.
Generational curses range from simple thoughts of laziness to complex patterns that cripple a family. These demonic strongholds, keep individuals from being their best physically, mentally, and spiritually. Religion, traditions, and social mindsets play a large role in keeping generational cures alive because they will not recognize certain things being taught or passed down are actually holding the power in place that energizes the affliction. Becoming aware of these debilitating actions and understanding what we can do about it, can reverse the curse and cast off any further power over you or your succeeding generations from being controlled any longer.
It may be necessary to understand the word "curse" at this point. Humanity has accepted that a curse is a dangerous hex or magical spell perfected by witches or wizards in our imaginary stories or movies. Their curses are placed upon someone to prevent or destroy their abilities as they live out their natural lives. To some degree this concept is accurate, however, this acceptance has shadowed the reality of what a generational curse truly is. The accurate part is that a curse can prevent or destroy people's abilities. Another accuracy is the unsaid: that a curse is not natural, but it is empowered in a supernatural way that is not recognizable by means of human existence. Though generational curses are not always words spoken in some chant or mystical spell, they are generated by the demonic powers which sustains the effects of the curse. In most cases generational curses are demonic strongholds that gained access over individuals and families by sin that is unrepented and overlooked.
Satan and demonic beings are roaming, looking for ways to display their evil power over someone (1st Peter 5:8). They steal away by illegally grabbing hold of all they can in order to destroy or even kill those whom they are able to overcome (John 10:10, Mark 4:15, Luke 9:37-42). They are able to destroy the lives of many generations by holding them in some debilitating stronghold, where they can be a menace for years to come (2Corinithians 10:3-6, Hebrews 3:10, Matthew 12:45). Satanic power can only gain access through doors of sin or human weakness that are either deliberate actions on the part of an individual or they are by means of ignorance (Ephesians 4:18). Deliberate actions would be those things we do that are wrong, against the goodness and will of God, filled with wickedness, which we chose to do. The ignorant sins are those we are not aware is sin. Things we do in our minds; things we say that society accepts but God does not; things deep seated in our being which we only learn are sin after we have enough knowledge of God to show us they are really sin. All of these things are doors that gives Satan and demonic beings power to overcome us.
One of the easiest ways to open doors for demonic strongholds is by not enduring temptation. James 1:12-15 shows us the process by which we allow sin to overtake us. This process is Satan's highway to enslave us with sin that becomes a way of life and later leaves us with no hope to see our way out. The more dependent you become in these sins, the stronger hold Satanic power has over you. If sin dependency is not dealt with, it develops into generational practices because it is not stopped. Then this practice or habit becomes a curse on you and your family without anyone realizing it has happened. This same process can take place with illness in a family. Unless something is done, illnesses and disease continues in a family where it become genetically attached to a family. It takes something greater than ourselves to overcome these patterns of generational curses. It takes power in the name of Jesus.
The most common way these “curses” are passed down from generation to generation is by speaking them upon someone.
A mother may say to her daughter,
“That’s just the way we have always been.
There’s not much we can do about it.”
A father might say to his son,
“I was like that, probably you will be too.
Because Grandpa had it, we both do.”
The Bible teaches us:
Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
James 3:10
“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
People are quick to use lazy language when talking with their children and family members. We should speak the Word of God over ourselves and our children so we can stop the continuous flow of generational curses being empowered over us.
"Because I wait, hope and am confident in the Lord he shall renew my strength; I will mount up with wings as eagles; I will run, and not be weary; I will walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31
" And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10
"In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Psalms 118:5-6
We must be careful when we communicate information so we do not put curses upon our children by what we say out of our mouths. Things we say can put into motion real experiences that become part of our lives. At the same time we do not have to carry things our parents and grandparents place on us.
Proverbs 23:7
“For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
We become the product of what we think we are. We have to change our thinking and not accept things said to us or about us, or things that do not build us up, or help us to be successful in life. Too often family members subject us to their negative thoughts about whom or what we are. We do not have to accept negative statements. Speak against these statements by rejecting them and go on. You do not have to be what people say you are, but be what the Word of God says you are.
"What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; and You have put all things under his feet." Psalm 8:4-6.
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Rom. 8:31.
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.
Types of Generational Curses
1. Bad Habits. Over Eating, Drinking, Smoking, drug abuse, lying, partying, laziness, bad dress styles, no exercise etc.
2. Bad Thinking.
"Nothing good ever happens to me."
"I always have bad luck."
"If I could only get a break."
"I can't do anything about my situation."
"I am stupid."
"I can't do this."
3. Family Reputation.
"Your family is just. . . ."
"I was raised that way"
"We have never done that before"
"We just do not do that in our family"
"Because of your family, you can't change anything"
"Your family will always be that way"
4. ILLNESS or Disease.
Medical History, family & self
Doctors diagnosis, Self-diagnosis
“I am going to get that because. . .”
“I just know I am going to be sick. . .”
“I’m trying to get or have. . .”
5. Prejudice.
Prejudice is nothing more than excusing hate in a person’s heart. Hate is not fruit of the Spirit, but is works of the flesh. Some types of prejudice are Religious, Racial, Sexual, Personal.
We should be careful to never pass these things on to our children. Practicing the Fruit of the Spirit and being willing to let the Spirit of God and the Word renew our minds will help us to stop passing these curses on to others.
“These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9.
Prejudice people never see themselves as doing anything wrong. These self-righteous individuals are quick to point out the wrongs of others and enjoy seeing them punished or suffer because of their indiscretions. Many times they want to keep under control the ones their prejudice is directed to, so they self-impose rules or regulations (Col. 2:20-23) to keep “those people” at bay. These “doctrines” are expected to be carried out by those for whom they were intended, of course never referring to themselves.
Religious prejudice anchors itself in some denominational sludge, condemning everyone that is not part of their group. They never build arguments based upon Biblical truth or Holy Spirit leadership. When they don’t agree with something they call it “works of the devil.”
Racial prejudice fuels the hate one has for people who are different. This ignorance delights in destroying all other races. It tries to control every part of their existence.
Sexual prejudice is subtle rejection by subduing or belittling the other so as to keep them inferior. If the inferior sex is never allowed to express, educate, or advance, they will remain subject to the one who is prejudice.
These strong feelings of prejudice are passed on to our children with ease because they are fueled upon hate. We must turn this around by using the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Sins of the Fathers
Exodus 20:5 . . .For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me.
There could be deep seeded curses that have come down through the generations which are causing you or your family levels of sickness, depression, or even disease. Because of the sins of your families past, Satanic powers gained control over physical things, resulting in disease that has become genetic problems in your family. A relative up line in your genealogy that was involved with serious demonic activity like Satanism, Free Masons, or the Occult, opened a door of opportunity for all demonic powers to run havoc on your family. If you are experiencing unexplained sickness, disease, or physical disabilities, you need to look into your relatives histories to find what they were involved in. It might require going in the Spirit to find out what your relatives were involved with. The Holy Spirit can reveal anything from the past. If you find they were participating in these evil practices, start doing what is necessary to correcting the problem and reverse the generational cures.
How to Reverse Generational Curses.
Once you understand the concept of generational curses, and you gain knowledge of any curses you or your family are experiencing, it is possible for you to reverse the curse and cast off any of the damage you might be experiencing.
To reverse the curse you simply repent for the sins of your fathers and asked God for forgiveness of their sins. Then you cast off all influences of evil any strongholds may have gained over you and your family by commanding them to be cast off. By speaking these things out loud you are taking back authority over your family and releasing healing to anyone who may have complications due to the past sins of your fathers.
Speak against the evil powers that have held you and your family in bondage.
Speak against any sickness or diseases that have resulted from these sins.
Then speak blessings, joy, peace, and complete healing to everyone still living, that has been affected by this curse.
This process can free family members of disease, sickness, inabilities, or strongholds that has seemed to not go away. It can free individuals so they can overcome all negative sayings or mindsets that have existed over them. Once this process is done, all individuals are free.
“. . .that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24).
The buck stops here! There is no reason once you have taken on Jesus Christ and been baptized in his spirit, that you should continue in your old thoughts and desires. Reach down inside you and let the Spirit of God work through you, bringing out the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Use the Word of God and allow it to renew your thinking. Stand against negative statements and speak declarations of blessing based upon the Word. Use the Gifts of the Spirit (1Corinthians 12:1-10) and the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) to stand against evil powers and things that come against you.
You and all your succeeding generations will benefit from changing the mindset most people live under. You are not the “status quo,” you are “A child of the Most High God!”
There is nothing you are not able to do because of Jesus that is in you!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
Speak Declarations Over Yourself.
Here are examples of Declarations you can speak to place continued blessings over you and your family:
“Bless those who persecute you; Bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:14-15.
When sickness or disease has been directed toward you or your family, say:
“I speak against (name the sickness) in the name of Jesus Christ. I declare that I am the blessed and not the cursed. I am well and not sick; no illness will come to me or my family, in the name of Jesus Christ” (Psalm 91:9-12).
When someone says you or your family can’t do something, say:
“I can do all things for Jesus Christ who gives me strength, might, and power (Phil.4:13), and I am able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in me (Eph. 3:20).”
When negative statements are directed toward you or your family, say:
“All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen (2Cor 1:20). If God is for me who can be against me (Rom 8:31)? I am raised with Christ and I seek those things which are above (Col 3:1), and I can do all thing for Jesus Christ who is my strength (Phil. 4:13).