A generational curse is a curse that is passed down from one generation to the next. It can be caused by sin or disobedience.
Fact: There are chains of sin that we can inherit from our parents and grandparents. These chains can bind us and keep us from living the life God has for us.
Generational curses are mentioned throughout the Bible. Let’s look at one key verse:
Exodus 20:4-6, "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
This is why breaking the cycle of sin in our families is so important. If we don’t, our children will suffer for our mistakes.
Deuteronomy 28:15-68 contains fifty-three verses listing generational curses.
Here are just a few of the symptoms of curses listed there:
~ Poverty
~ Hereditary disease
~ Divorce
~ Child abuse
~ Sexual abuse
~ Domestic violence
~ Alcoholism
~ Drug addiction
~ Immorality
~ Adultery
~ Perversion
~ Depression
~ Confusion
~ Fear
~ Indecision
~ Panic attacks
~ Mental illness
~ Suicide
~ Destructive attitudes and behaviours
Each of these can be, but are not always, the result of a generational curse, and most have their root in idolatry and iniquity.
Many people, if not most, can identify some of these symptoms that have passed on from generation to generation. How about you? When you look at your family tree, do you see a pattern of any of these things?
Do you struggle with a particular sin and see a history of that sin in past generations? Maybe you’ve been told that the depression or fear you deal with runs in the family or perhaps you struggle with marital infidelity and can identify a pattern of affairs and divorce going back to a parent and grandparent. These could be symptoms of a generational curse.
Essential Steps for Breaking Generational Curses.
There are many ways to break free from a generational curse.
Here are seven.
1. Prayer and fasting.
Prayer and fasting are essential keys to breaking generational curses. In
Matthew 17:21, Jesus said,
“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Fasting breaks the stronghold of the enemy in our lives. When we deny ourselves food, it weakens our flesh and allows the Holy Spirit to have more control. The enemy does not like this because he knows his power is broken when we fast.
2. Binding and loosing.
Binding and loosing are also important keys to breaking generational curses.
In
Matthew 16:19, Jesus said,
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
When we bind something, we are putting a spiritual embargo on it. We are forbidding it to operate in our lives. When we loose something, we are releasing it from the bondage that it has been under.
3. Confession and repentance.
Confession and repentance are also important keys to breaking generational curses. In
James 5:16, we are told,
“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
We need to confess our sins to God. Generational curses cannot be broken without confession and repentance.
4. Renouncing the curse and sin.
Renouncing the curse means rejecting it and declaring that it has no power over us. We do this by speaking out loud and declaring that we are no longer under the curse of generational sin.
Renouncing the sin means that we turn away from it and reject it as part of our lives. We repent of the sin and ask God to forgive us. We also ask Him to help us turn away from the sin and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Break the cycle of sin means that you make a conscious decision to break the cycle of sin in your life. You can do this by making different choices than your parents or grandparents made.
5. Forgiveness.
Forgiveness is an important part of breaking free from generational curses. We need to forgive those who have hurt us in order to be set free from the pain they have caused.
6. Cut demonic influence & break soul ties.
Breaking soul ties means that we sever any spiritual connection with the people or things associated with the generational curse. This includes anything from family members to objects.
Cutting off demonic influence means removing anything in our lives that gives the enemy a foothold. This includes things like drugs, alcohol, pornography, and anything else that is not of God.
7. Read the Bible & claim your inheritance.
Claim your inheritance means you claim God’s promises for your life. He has promised to bless us and give us life abundantly. We can claim these promises by faith.
By taking these steps, we can break the generational curses that have been holding us back. We can live lives that are free from the bondage of sin and full of the joy and peace that comes from walking with God.
Bottom line - Generational curses are real, and they need to be dealt with in order to break free from them.
The good news is that generational curses can be stopped today!
The Blood of Jesus.
Hebrews 9:22 tells us,
“According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.”
Here are two basic principles you need to know:
1) A generational curse comes through the blood line.
2) A generational curse can only be cancelled by blood.
It Is all about the blood of Jesus Christ. In
Romans 3:23-25, we read,
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”
Yes, generational curses can be broken. To break generational curses, you must be willing to rewrite your story. You can’t change the past. But with intentional consistent actions. You have the power to influence your future generations. Generational curses are real, but so is the power of God. With Him, we can overcome any curse. So don’t give up hope! Trust in the Lord and lean on His strength as you walk through this difficult journey. He will never leave you or forsake you (
Deuteronomy 31:6).