Break the Power of Sin, Not a Generational Curse

Pastor Robert L. Taylor
Sep 23
2 min read

I read a post on my timeline about Christians breaking the myth of generational curses for overcoming destructive family patterns. A generational curse is spiritual bondage that is passed down from generation to generation. It can also be defined as some kind of punishment from God that comes upon people because of the sins of their former generations. Below I argue that God does not punish children for the sins of their fathers; but rather for their own disobedience. This idea that the believer can be under some kind of curse because of the choices of their parents is just not biblical. So from where does this idea come. Partially, people believe this because of personal experience. In repeating the decisions and cycles of former generations, they sometimes look for somewhere to place the blame. But again, experience isn’t always the best foundation for truth. Another source of this belief is poor biblical interpretation. Here’s one of the more often used verses that believers use to justify a belief in generational curses: “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me” (Exodus 20:5). Now, at a glance, that verse seems to indicate that generational curses are a definite reality. Almost. Notice that in the verse, however, there is a condition laid out: “You shall not bow down to them or serve them.” This verse, and all of the Old Testament verses that are similar, have something in common: they are all set to a larger backdrop of individual choice. In other words, by repeating the choices of former generations, one becomes susceptible to similar consequences and punishments. There is no blanket statement in all of Scripture that should cause us to accept this idea that God curses believers based upon the choices of previous generations. Once again, we read, “The person who sins will die. A son will not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt, nor will a father suffer the punishment for the son’s guilt; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20). So then God does not hold us accountable for the decisions of others, even if they are the decisions of our former generations. God deals with each individual on the basis of the decisions that they make. So, in fact, the Bible does not teach generational curses; but it definitely teaches generational consequences based upon individual choices. Christians are freed from the dominion of sin, no longer its slaves, but are instead to present themselves as alive to God in Christ Jesus. Be encouraged!