Family Curses

I am here once again to offer a brief food for thought. The Word of God tells us, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” I approach this with humility and reverence, having no desire to “touch” those whom God has anointed to minister the Gospel. I would be the first to stand in the line labeled “nowhere near perfect.”

Each of us has spiritual leaders whom we look to for guidance in the Word of God. At the same time, it is important to remember that our leaders are human, just as we are, and therefore capable of misunderstanding or misinterpreting Scripture. This reality does not diminish their calling—but it also does not absolve us, as Believers, from our responsibility to seek understanding of God’s Word for ourselves.

For this reason, it is vital that we bring our Bibles and follow along as the Word is taught, ensuring that the whole Word of God is being presented. We have all, at times, misquoted or paraphrased Scripture in ways that unintentionally altered its meaning. Even a single word or phrase added or omitted can significantly change the message. The Word of God clearly states that we are not to add nor take away from the Word (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5–6, and Revelation 22:18–19).

Therefore, we must be attentive and discerning in what we hear, so that we remain properly aligned with the truth of God’s Word.

Many people believe in “family curses,” and there are things that have been done within families that have impacted entire family lines. When “bad things” happen in our lives, we may seek prayer for “generational curses” to be removed, or spiritual leaders may pray to rebuke those “family generational curses.” Often, Deuteronomy 5:9 is referenced to support this belief:

You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely Mine], visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me.

This Scripture does refer to the sins of the fathers being visited upon the children to the third and fourth generations, but most of the time the final portion is left out: “of those who hate Me.” When altar calls are made to rebuke generational curses, or when prayer is sought to break “family curses” in the life of a Believer, it is unscriptural.

The root cause of the iniquity (sin) that results in judgment is not merely a specific sinful act, but a posture of opposing God—His Word, His Way, and His Authority. When future generations continue in that same iniquity—choosing their own way rather than God’s—the consequences continue. However, when a family member becomes a child of God who loves Him, the curse ends. In fact, when a person comes to Christ, their household is blessed.

Deuteronomy 5:10 continues:

but showing graciousness and lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

What we see, then, is that these so-called generational curses persist not because of a single sin committed long ago, but because of a continued rejection of God. For those who love Him and keep His commandments, God extends mercy, grace, and lovingkindness. Ultimately, this mercy is revealed in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for our sins. The curse was dealt with at the Cross.

As children of God, we can always benefit from prayer—and I am certainly not suggesting that prayer is unnecessary. Please pray for me. However, as believers in Christ Jesus, we no longer live under family or generational curses. To pray for such curses to be rebuked or broken in the life of a Believer is unscriptural, because these passages address those who hate God, not those who love Him.

As children of God who have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, we died with Him, were buried with Him, and were resurrected with Him into newness of life.

The Word of God tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

The old spiritual condition has passed away. That former state—including any notion of being “cursed”—is gone. All things have become new for the Believer in Christ Jesus. Either this is true, or it is not. I believe the Word of God is true.

The Word of God also says in John 8:36:

So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.

When we make Jesus our Lord and Savior, we are truly free—free from the power of sin, guilt, and every former spiritual condition, regardless of its origin. Either Jesus dealt with this at the Cross, or more must be done. No—IT WAS FINISHED at the Cross.

This is why it is so important that the whole Word of God is taught, heard, and understood. We must read along with our spiritual leaders and, most importantly, read the Word of God for ourselves. As Scripture reminds us, “In all your getting, get understanding.”

I do not believe that spiritual leaders intentionally teach anything contrary to God’s Word. However, when teaching is incomplete or taken out of context, it can unintentionally lead Believers into error. When a Believer is taught that their struggles stem from generational curses that must be rebuked, they may unknowingly hold onto something from which Christ has already set them free.

The Word of God reminds us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. We are called to choose life. When Believers speak of generational curses over their lives, they speak something that is not true. The curses described in Deuteronomy apply to those who hate the Lord—not to the child of God who loves Him and keeps His commandments.

I was taught long ago to read both above and below any passage to gain full understanding. When we fail to read the Word of God in its entirety, we risk misunderstanding it and drifting into error.

You, as a Child of God, have been redeemed from the curse of the law—and from every curse—because Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. Walk in that Truth!