For years now, the church has been sidetracked with this idea of “Generational Curses.” We’ve watched throngs of Christians swarm to the altars attempting to stop the evil consequences that their forefather’s decisions made upon their lives. And… for many years as a pastor, I taught about Generational Curses -- and had seemingly great results. So let’s make it clear that we mean no personal disrespect to those sincere people who teach this “ministry.” It’s just that now… we know a better way (Acts 18:26).

Let’s briefly review the teaching of Generational Curses -- it generally goes something like this: “the sins of the fathers pass to the third and fourth generation" (Ex. 34:6-7, Deut. 5:9, Dan. 9:8). This teaching tells how Christians can inherit the attributes or consequences for the sins their predecessors committed generations ago. Sometimes (they say), after the 3rd and 4th generation – the CURSE would be broken... but that part doesn't seem to happen very much anymore.

Anyway, these GENERATIONAL CURSES are said to come from many place, such as follows:

1 SINS OF ANCESTORS - Supposedly, ancient ancestral CURSES pass down through families. Apparently, Satan has the “legal right” to assault our body or finances because of our forefather’s mistakes. They claim these “curses” are why many Christians get sick and die.

2 WITCHCRAFT/OCCULT CURSES- Sadly, many believe that the words of “witches” have the power to disrupt our lives and affect our surroundings.

3 CURSES from SPOKEN WORDS- These can be curses spoken by others or by yourself.

4 CURSES FROM UNGODLY OATHS AND DEDICATIONS/UNGODLY BELIEFS - These “destructive” oaths and dedications could have been made before your birth.

5 PERSONAL SINS- Your personal perverse sin caused by forefathers same sin.

6 CURSES PASSED BY IMPROPER TIES (YOKES) - Another BIG teaching concerns "sin in the camp." That’s about being YOKED to someone... and inheriting their problems. Somehow you become a "LEGAL target” of all those wretched spirits and “soul ties” that come down their bloodline... to you and your children!!!!!

As far as I can tell, according to this teaching, most Christians are cursed! Apparently, those “legal rights” of the devil cause most of our attacks. And deliverance from these CURSES occurs only when those “legal rights are broken” through effective “prophetic insight,” anointed ministry, and prayer. Even though we have not committed any wrong-doing, they say that we can only negate CURSES by public confession and renouncement (speaking utterances) TO THE DEVIL – such as:

“Devil, I cancel all demonic influence that have been passed on to me from my ancestors. ... I renounce all satanic assignments directed toward my family, and me. And I cancel every curse that you or your demon workers have put on me. ... I reject all other possibilities whereby you may claim ownership of me.”

Now, these “prayers” to Satan are intended to be said by Christians who already have been “delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.” But, that’s not all – be very careful – don’t get too confident, cuz’ another curse may be lurking just around the next corner!

THE REPLY:

Well, some of you already have the answer – before we even get there!! The pagans attempted to pacify capricious "gods" who poured out havoc on humankind for no good reason. For centuries, superstitious people conjured up religious formulas and chanted specific incantations believing that their "magical" words or a particular sacrifice would appease the "unpredictable gods" and forestall misfortune.