Tuesday, October 23, 2018

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. Common proof texts used to substantiate the idea of generational curses would include Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 5:9. However, a careful examination of Scripture 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 other people (Deuteronomy 24:16; 2 Kings 14:6; 2 Chronicles 25:4; Ezekiel 18:20). In other words, 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 other ancestors. We are clearly held responsible for our own choices, not that of others. As a matter of fact, Jesus indicated that children are better models of purity than adults in terms of their innocence (Matthew 18:1-5; 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16). Though we have inherited a sin nature from the fall of Adam and Eve, behaviors are learned and chosen. We are held accountable for our own decisions made in this life, and those only.

           The two parallel passages recording the Ten Commandments do not say that God would give generational curses to people. Rather, God would cast judgment on idolaters. That sin would contaminate future generations through parental influence. The family is the foundational unit of all society. 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 2:6). Consequences can be passed on to future generations, not curses. Our actions can change the course of events for people alive in future generations. The forgiveness of God and salvation is not beyond the reach of anybody. There is a "curse" only in the sense that moral corruption has been passed on to mankind as a result of the fall of our first parents in the Garden of Eden. Atonement is available to all through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He bore the "curse" on our behalf (Galatians 3:10-13).

          If we can inherit the sin of our parents, then would that also mean that we could inherit their righteousness? Can we inherit the mercy of God? The idea that people can inherit hexes or curses from their parents is both irrational and unbiblical. It is nothing but pagan superstition. 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 our family ancestry. If it did, then that would make Him a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Nowhere does Scripture even provide us with instructions as to how to break so-called generational curses.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

A message from God's holy Word, the King James Bible:

"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known." (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Generational curses are found in the Bible.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

You obviously don't understand the context of that passage, because it isn't a "generational curse" as promulgated by the charismatics and "deliverance" ministries, and people like false teacher Bill Gothard. The TRUTH about "generational curses" can be found here: https://watchmansbagpipes.blogspot.com/2010/12/generational-singenerational-curses.html

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

And I'm betting you are the one that commented on my article!

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Another good article about "generational curses"
http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200704/200704_114_GenCurse.cfm