Generational Curses/Sin of Ancestors
Many teach that Christians are subject to choices and sins of their family members, choices they themselves never made by persons they never met. This teaching is applied when a person has a problem overcoming certain behaviors, sin and situations, or when it continues in the family line such as divorce, alcoholism, poverty, etc.
The bible does in fact teach of generational sin, or sin that is passed through the family line. However, the bible is specific on who this applies to and who it does not.
Deuteronomy 28 is used to support the idea that curses exist over believers, including generational curses. These blessings and curses were specifically for the Jewish nation, curses imposed for those who would not obey the teachings of the whole law. New Testament believers are not under the law, but under grace. It is a different dispensation and this Old Testament teaching does not apply to New Testament believers. In fact, Jesus himself became the curse for us and in our faith we are blessed of Abraham.
Galatians 3:13, 14
13Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
With Christ, the old covenant was passed away.
Hebrews 8:11-14
11 Christ came as a High Priest of the good things to come with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling of unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Is the shed blood of Jesus not good enough to remove all sins?
Deuteronomy 5:9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me.
Put in context, this is one of the Ten Commandments. The particular scripture refers to the idol worship of carved images; however, it has been used to prove that curses are passed through generations. But continue reading into verse 10 –
10showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
So, the Lord says here He will show mercy to those who love Him. Don’t believers and the repentant love Him?
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law, you have fallen from grace.
God deals with us as individuals. There is nothing in the New Testament to tell us that believers are held accountable or subject to sins of ancestors and generational curses. This includes pacts or oaths taken in secret societies and those practicing the occult. There is nothing to substantiate soul ties or that it is necessary to break them or that it is necessary to have the guidance of another person to lead someone through prayers. It is futile and unbiblical to take a person through his lifetime and that of his ancestors seeking for reasons of his suffering. We suffer because we exist in a fallen world! Christ is our hope!
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone be in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
It is ridiculous to suggest in light of the true power of God that any of us are subject to the curse of a witch or better yet, “Christian” curses!
Colossians 2:10 You are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
God knows the heart of the repentant. Some people need to come into the full knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, some need to renew their minds, others need to stop sinning or stop whining. There are valid reasons why Christians struggle – in this world we will have tribulation – by the words of Jesus. The disciples suffered tremendously and preached the gospel under horrendous conditions and considered themselves blessed.
1 Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
m'kayla's korner 
Great post. If it were true that we could curse ourselves with words, I would have had all kinds of bad things to have happened in my life. Word Faith people use to use the words of job to admonish me about my fears: “The thing that I have feared has come upon me.” I walked in dread of everything back then believing i would bring all manner of evil on myself just because i could not help but be fearful. BUT GOD is and was merciful towards me. Glad to see that there are others like you, mkayla that has come out of the Word Faith movement. God bless you!
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Hi mkayla
I just read your post on ETPW regarding theophostics and Sozo, unfortunately , i have several friends involved with Elijah House, which i believe is quite similar.I am presently doing a short critique in order to present this to them so that maybe i can convince them of the unbiblical nature of this type of ministry. I have most of the ammunition i need for this , however i would really appreciate some insight into the practice of ” inner healing” , in particular that of visualing ones past and having Jesus heal the memories.I am fully aware of the occultic nature of this type of “ministry” , but being aware of how this works would really benefit any argument i can mount against it . I look forward to your reply.
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Hi Ray.
There are probably different methods of sozo. The one I was trained in and am familiar with was specifically written for the ministry I belonged to at that time. The program had a step called “Presenting Jesus”. It is just like the visualization method I learned to do many years ago while in secular therapy. The step is to identify with the memory of the first time the person felt that emotional pain or the first remembrance of a particular event that brought the pain. Once the memory is there, then the person is to ask “jesus” where he was when that took place. And of course we know the answer to that – “right there with you”. Then the person is lead to ask “jesus” to speak his truth about the memory to bring the desired healing or affirming words of love and acceptance. The process continues with he participant asking “jesus” questions and receiving answers. Most people have visions during this process, even the ones that don’t usually experience them, which is another point of concern. In secular therapy my experience was to identify with that moment or event and then as an adult speak into that time, to myself with positive affirmations. You see, the only difference is the swapping me as the truth teller for “jesus”.
The process of sozo is very involved and it can take several visits to get through all that is considered necessary. It’s quite exhausting physically and mentally, while participating either on the leader end or the participant’s.
This morning I felt that the Lord was showing me something about this and I will share it here with you. We already know as Christians we are not to look back and that we are in a process of disciplship, having our minds renewed and looking to God who is our hope. The story of Nicodemus came to my mind as I was considering healing and even “womb” healing. This is just kinda paraphrased from John 3. When Nicodemus didn’t understand the words of Jesus in being “born again” he questioned how could it be possible to enter the womb a second time. And Jesus clarified so that Nicodemus understood it is not a matter of the flesh, but a matter of the spirit. It struck me because our growth is not a matter of going back into the past, its a matter of being born again and going forward from there.
The best argument, and I am sure you are well aware, is the truth of scripture against the lie. There isn’t a single instance of this or any “inner healing” or “womb healing” process being taught or practiced by Jesus or the disciples.
This inner healing for the Chrisitan is a very wicked, very evil practice. God does not violate what He has already designed and as born again believers and followers of Jesus we already have what we need to be overcomers. I believe the “jesus” speaking to these people is not Jesus Christ, the Messiah, but a demon disguising himself. I say this out of my own personal sozo experiences and those I helped lead.
Let me know if you have more questions. I would love to hear how it goes with your friends!
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Just to add a comment regarding inner healing. This is an area where the teaching of man, or of the world, has crept in and become an accepted practice of the church. The following scripture points that out to us:
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodliy;
10 And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
We should avoid all practices and teachings of those outside Christianity at all costs. God is faithful to complete what He has begun in us. Those from the outside have nothing of value to offer those who are in Christ, no matter what kind of packaging it comes in.
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Hi Mkayla
Thanks heaps for the info on ” inner healing” , its little wonder that these people are so evasive on how they practice their “ministry” .This whole practice of inner healing is an abomination, as i’m sure you are well aware.Unfortunately i discovered on the weekend that my Pastor and his wife are neck deep into this stuff, so they will be the recipients of all i have to say as well.One issue that has weighed heavily on my mind regarding all of this is whether or not one has jepordised their salvation through being involved with this teaching,it is essentially another gospel. In fact , a statement of faith that i obtained from Elijah House states that “inner healing ” is sanctification! This is truly blasphemous.Any way , i look forward to your thoughts . regards.
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Hi Ray.
Wow. I agree with you on that for sure! I would like to read their statement to see how they come up with that conlcusion. It’s so against all that is true! Sadly, they become deeper and deeper involved, more and more convinced as time goes on they have the truth. When we spoke with our pastors we were told that it works for some people or that there is some truth, so they allowed it to be practiced. eeek!
I do believe when we practice things not in the bible we are losing our salvation. I believe it is even worse for those who teach others the same. Theirs is a practice of following after other gods, another jesus or gospel like you said. Thankfully, the Lord hears the prayers of the repentant, and in so doing we can be restored to our first love and proper thinking. But first we have to be willing to admit we are wrong. When we become cloaked in pride, thinking more of ourselves than we should, we forget the simple fact that we are still sinners, still saved by grace. This truth does not change.
I’ve often wondered if I’d died while I was involved in all of that if I would have gone to hell. I think so. That thought alone should make us run for the truth of the Word of God! I don’t think God fools around with those who are so willing to be deceived. And this big push lately on grace and love is another area of the truth and the character of God taken out of balance. More deceit!
All we can do is present them with the word of God and pray for thier eyes to be opened to the truth. After all, it is the truth that sets us free. And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!
Whew! Bad stuff going on! Be encouraged in your fight as you contend for the truth in the name of Jesus.
Jude 20-25 🙂
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Hi M’kayla
Im not much of a technodude , otherwise i’d post a copy of Elijah House statement of faith{ if you can call it that} , however if you google Elijah House and go to their home site, click ” about us ” and then ” statement of faith” ,it should be there.
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I was also going to say , that having had the truth of Gods word in front of us, how much more harshly will christians be judged on the day of reckoning?. This is a frightening prospect that not many christians have given thought to.We won’t have any excuses for being deceived .
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Exactly that! It chills me to the bone to think of it. I pray for these people to have their eyes opened and to come out!
I’ll look for the statement of faith article on E House.
Thanks!
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Hi Mkayla,,, I wanted to let you know that i re-blogged some of your writings also. And I added you to our ex-wof blogroll.
I hope there will be many more insightful post to come from you. Your writings are very good and very theologically astute.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
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Sorry to come in late to this discussion, but I’m confused about why you said in your June 12th response that inner healing for a Christian is so wicked. I completely understand that inner healing is not a concept found in the Scriptures, but what makes it wicked? It seems to me kind of like rock music decade ago – Christians thought it was from the devil and evil. Now, much of Christian music is rock music. Can’t the concept of inner healing, even if it was used in the secular arena originally, be redeemed and used effectively in battling things keeping Christians from growing in Christ?
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Pete, its a good question and to answer it we have to put it in a proper perspective. The bible gives us all that we need to live our lives. We cannot take a method outside Christian or biblical teaching and “redeem” it. Just because Christians play rock music does not mean it is automatically Christian. In fact, some of us view it otherwise, but that is a different topic altogether.
The process of inner healing involves practices outside of biblical teaching. It is far from taking our conerns to the Lord in prayer, focusing on Him and His word, being a new creation, etc. It is heavily laden with visualization techniques and personal “prophetic” words. These practices are not scriptural. We are told in scripture to forget what is past. I will admit, some things are hard to overcome, but Christ is the author and finisher of our faith and His grace is sufficient for all our needs. If Christ thought we had a need for inner healing in such a way as this, He would have taught it. He did not because they do not come of Him, nor are they His ways. Things taken fro other religions cannot be “redeemed”. There are things that are Gods, and things that are not and are to be avoided at all costs.
Take a look at this article that I wrote from my own person experience in inner healing. It is dangerous and outside the ways of God. A good rule of thumb to follow is if the practice or teaching is outside the bible, it has come from another source. (guess whose?) No matter how it’s packaged these are things to avoid as they will not bring us freedom, but bondage – demonization – no matter what they seem like in the beginning.
https://mkayla.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/inner-healing/
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Take this to the next level and research Generational INIQUITY; how sin and iniquity differ. Also research open doors and legal rights (to the demonic)
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I already have. Jesus died so that we could be free of sin, forgiven upon repentance. This means I am not responsible for my past sin altho there may be consequences do to the choices made, and I am not responsible for the sins of my ancestors. There is no scriptural foundation for “open doors” or “legal rights of or to the demonic”. I know what you speak of because I used to believe these teachings were applicable. They are not. We are under grace and God is merciful. If we give ourselves over to sin, then consequences abound! But upon repentance, the bondage is broken.
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This is an excellent teaching that I found by Bob Dewaay on false spiritual warfare teachings and generational curses.
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue109.htm
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The first time I heard of generational curses was from a book called “Praying For Your Children” by Stormie Omartian. A friend of mine “highly” recommended the book. Funny enough, she is also involved as a self proclaimed prophetess in a church that practices stuff taught at Bethel by Bill Johnson. What a surprise… Anyway, I was frightened by the idea of these curses infecting my children, having known some of my family’s unsavory history. I praise God for all He’s done to save us from sin. Praise the Almighty!
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excellent postings M’Kayla…so very helpful – so answer my questions before i even get to ask them. Blessings upon you for this ministry and your time. mary
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It’s interesting that the WOF preachers want to claim all of the OT blessings for us AS WELL as keeping us under the OT curses.
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Having worked in what has been called “recovery ministry” for fifteen years, we are now finding out that what we have been teaching is no more than a psychologised Christian / lite inner healing brew. Please research Carl Jung, Agnes Sanford (Mother of Inner Healing), John and Paula Sandford (studied and ministered with Agnes Sanford and founded Elijah House), and Ed Smith (Theophostic Prayer Ministry). Study terms such a Your Inner Child, Soul Ties, Performance Orientation, False Memory Syndrome, and Regression Theropy. Sad to say these will only get you started. Be watchful and very skeptical at the many methods and models out there today that come packaged as “Jesus and _____” ministries.
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Curt, I absolutely agree with you. Focus on the Family has done much damage to the church as well. I understand the guided imagery/inner child healing concepts from John Bradshaw. From my experience with the IAHR, the Vineyard and one Calvary Chapel church I learned of Theophostics, and Elijah House, tho I did not participate. However, I was trained in SOZO which follows similar patterns. It is quite dangerous, not only because it is based on false teaching away from Christ, but I do believe there is a strong demonic presence influencing these sessions bringing the visions, sensations and what I will call false peace and healing. I plan to start taking apart the SOZO training piece by piece and exposing the error.
Thanks for naming out the names! It is much needed and we see the apostle Paul did the same.
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All you have to do is go into your church library to find complete heresy on the shelves. My own local conservative baptist church has now entered the emergent church arena and is using quasi-contemplative prayer programs/books/DVD’s so everyone can be ‘renewed’?(Old Prayer = OUT! That never worked!!! EVER!!!) Add on Stormie Omartian books of false teachings and extra ‘revelations’ JESUS FORGOT TO MENTION….as the best new books to read??? (just check em out at the library after today’s sermon promoting unity over actual factual scripture) It makes one despair that heresy and book sales (no matter how Script-tually bankrupt) are what guides the church leadership today. The seeker sensitive. The “fresh wind”. The ever being updated 2013 prayer formula. Anyone questioning these false teachers/authors; or the new PROGRAM$? Is labeled a “hater” and told maybe instead of all these questions? That might be asking elders or other leadership pastors do some research using The Bible? And doing some Googling and comparisons. You had better: LEAVE! Happily, Pastor John MacArthur is going to have a Church Conference in September 2013 apply titled: “Strange Fire”. About Charismatic Chaos and false teachings/teachers/books infiltrating most congregations and church leadership, as the main problem facing today’s church. Oh, that my own church leadership and elder board would attend. But then that might lead to “questions”….and book removals.Never mind.
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mem, I know it, I know it, I knoww….wow, huh? Books are hardly worth buying these days because we wonder if the content still holds truth. Christianity is being swept away at an alarming rate! Stand strong! 🙂
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Heh M’Kayla
I am a big fan of your blog, we have corresponded a time or two, and I think we may have actually spoken on the phone once. You are doing a good job here and I encourage you to keep it up.
I realize this is an old post but it caught my eye. I am interested in this statement:
“The bible does in fact teach of generational sin, or sin that is passed through the family line. However, the bible is specific on who this applies to and who it does not.”
I have been studying this subject for several years, and I don’t agree with your statement as written. However, at the time you wrote it (looking at the date of the post) I did agree with it, but knew that any such generational sins or curses would have been broken by the Cross. It was not until after I began looking into it more closely that I changed my mind and came to the conclusion that the Bible does not support the idea of generational sin as it is commonly discussed.
You may have also changed your mind about this, but I would be very interested to know your thoughts that led to that statement.
Thanks and God bless!
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I’m not sure what you are asking me.
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You said that generational sin is passed down through some family lines ( paraphrased ).
My question is, can you tell me why you think that the Bible teaches this?
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I believe the article discusses it.
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