Debunking Generational Curse Theology

          There is a popular, but false, notion being promulgated amongst professing Christians known as the generational curse, which is the belief that spiritual defilements are passed on from parents to children. For example, one might believe that the outbursts of anger that he experiences were passed on from his parents. Sometimes these traits are even attributed to possession by demons who need to be cast away. The most common proof text used to substantiate the idea of generational curses be Exodus 20:5. On the contrary, a careful examination of that passage and others will reveal this teaching to be totally unsound and unfounded.

          First of all, the Word of God emphatically tells us that we cannot inherit the guilt of our parents (Deuteronomy 24:16; 2 Kings 14:6; 2 Chronicles 25:4; Ezekiel 18:20). God holds us accountable only for our sins, not those of other people. God punishes people for their own sins, not that of their parents. We are judged according to our conduct, (Exodus 32:31-33; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10), not the actions of our ancestors. We are clearly held responsible for our own choices, not that of others. As a matter of fact, Jesus indicated that God bestows grace to children (Matthew 18:1-5; 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16). Though we inherited a sin nature from the fall of Adam, behaviors are learned and chosen. We do not inherit the sins of people who lived prior to us and cannot be punished for them.

          The text from Exodus does not say that God would give generational curses to people. Rather, the intent of the message is that God would cast judgment on idolaters. That sin would contaminate future generations through parental influence. The family is the foundational unit of all society, and the bad habits of prior generations are more often than not passed on to descendants. This is not the same as saying that sin can be inherited from parents. Children can actually turn out better than what they were raised to be. Further, there does not have to be demons present in people for them to act out in ways that are disorderly and immoral. They just act that way on their own accord. Human nature is sinful enough on its own to be the cause of its own problems. The idea of generational curses is foolish and stems from ignorance as to what life is like.

          God punishes people who continue in their sin and rebellion against Him. He also shows mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments (Exodus 20:6). God forgives the sins of those who repent. Consequences can be passed on to posterity. In other words, our actions can change the course of history for people alive in future generations. However, that is different from the idea of generational curses. The forgiveness of God and salvation is not beyond the reach of anybody. If there is a "curse" at all, it would only be in the sense that moral corruption has been passed on to us as a result of the fall of our first parents in the Garden of Eden. That is universal in scope, as opposed to sins being passed on individually from parents to children. 

          If we can inherit the sin of our parents, then would that also mean that we could also inherit their righteousness? Can we inherit the mercy of God? The idea that people can inherit hexes or curses from their parents is totally unbiblical. If one walks according to the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, then there is no condemnation for him (Romans 5:1-11; Romans 8:1). This generational curse nonsense has no doubt caused much unnecessary fear and anxiety in the lives of Christians. The Lord is faithful, rich in mercy, abounding in love, and slow to anger (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 103:8-14). Our fellowship with God has nothing to do with family ancestry. If it did, then that would make Him a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).