For a period of time, the Lord has been speaking to me about the bonds debilitating families, especially bread winners.
I recognize the controversy that surrounds this topic, but I see it from an angle that others are avoiding. Therefore, I think it is imperative to get this study to you.
You may read through this document in just a few minutes, but the investment of your time will be eternal. At your convenience, read the scriptures associated with this study and ask God to lead you.
Much meditation and prayer and study and life’s experiences have gone into this packet. I believe it will change your life, at least the way you see things.
Remember–curses can follow a family line as well as blessings. It’s your choice. Let me know if you have any questions. I am here for you.
Generational curses (Updated)
The phrase “generational curse,” in my opinion, has more to do with a “generational law” or axiom than a curse that perpetuates through generational lines, thus the confusion. Some teach that salvation in Christ frees a person from all curses, foremost the curse of eternal sin. And it does—that is the curse of sin. Eternal sin is broken and the new creation in Christ is born again forever. However, the law of generations speaks about the consequences of sin and not the curse of original sin itself. For example, David was forgiven of his murder and adultery, but there were consequences that he suffered for many years following (II Samuel 12:11-12, 11 “Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 ‘Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.”’).
“Therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife
I will raise up evil from your own household
I will even take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your companion
He will lay with your wives in broad daylight
You did this secretly
I will do this openly, before all Israel, and under the sun.” http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=567
NOTE:
A law of generations means a period of time, roughly 40 years and is best illustrated in the phrase—the generation gap—a period of time that has nothing to do with family. It is simply naming something relative to time or the times at hand. The other meaning of the law of generations relates to the family history—from whence we came. This study highlights the potential of a curse (consequence of an ancestor’s sin) or blessing perpetuated from one generation to the next. Three generations are not far apart—a grandfather, father, and son.
Illustration:
In American history, the name “Curse of Tippecanoe” derives from the 1811 battle. As governor of the Indiana Territory, William Harrison bribed Native Americans to cede their lands to the U.S. government and handed out whiskey that caused alcoholism to run rampant among Indians.[2] These hostile acts angered the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, and brought government soldiers and Native Americans to the brink of war in a period known as Tecumseh’s War. As a result, Tecumseh and his brother organized a defensive group of Indian tribes designed to resist white westward expansion. In 1811, Harrison successfully attacked Tecumseh’s village in which Harrison defeated the Shawnee leaders Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, known as the Prophet, along the Tippecanoe River earning Harrison fame and the nickname “Old Tippecanoe”. The Shawnee set a curse against Harrison and future White House occupants who became president with the same end number as Harrison.[3]
This is known in modern history as the zero factor. An American President elected to office in a “zero” year would either die or be assassinated in office. This curse made by the Shawnee started with their nemesis, Henry Harrison, and was broken by Ronald Reagan.
Harrison, elected in 1840, died of pneumonia after serving 31 days.
- Lincoln, elected in 1860, assassinated.
- Garfield, elected in 1880, assassinated.
- McKinley, elected to a second term in 1900, assassinated.
- Harding, elected in 1920, died of a stroke in 1923.
- Roosevelt, elected to a third term in 1940, died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1945.
- Kennedy, elected in 1960, assassinated.
Did Harrison take this curse lightly? Read the following excerpt from his letter addressing the Prophet and then make your own opinion
Harrison respected his sworn enemy–Tecumseh
Harrison’s wariness of Tecumseh’s power sprang from a deep respect for him. The following is an excerpt from Harrison. “The implicit obedience and respect which the followers of Tecumseh pay to him is really astonishing and more than any other circumstances bespeaks him as one of those uncommon geniuses, which spring up occasionally to produce revolutions and to overturn the established order of things. If it were not for the vicinity of the United States, he would, perhaps, be the founder of an Empire that would rival in glory to Mexico or Peru. No difficulties deter him.”
Governor Harrison, after learning of the witchcraft executions commanded by Tenskwatawa, had this letter delivered to the Shawnee. Harrison was determined to thwart The Prophet in what seemed to him to be that individual’s effort to use tribal superstitions to stampede the Indians into warfare.
“My children, tread back the steps you have taken and endeavor to regain the straight road you have abandoned. The dark, crooked and thorny one which you are now pursuing will certainly lead you to endless woe and misery. But who is this pretended prophet who dares speak in the name of the great Creator? Examine him. Is he more wise and virtuous than you are yourselves, that he should be selected to convey to you the orders of your God? Demand of him some proofs at least of his being the messenger of the Deity.
“If God had really empowered him, He has doubtless authorized him to perform miracles that he may be known and received as a prophet. If he is really a prophet, ask him to cause the sun to stand still or the moon to alter its course, the rivers to cease to flow, or the dead to rise from their graves. If he does these things, you may believe he has been sent by God.
“He tells you that the Great Spirit commands you to punish with death those who deal in magic, and that he is authorized to point them out. Wretched delusion! Is then the Master of Life obliged to appoint mortal man to punish those who offend him? Has He not the thunder and the power of nature at His command? And could He not sweep away from the earth a whole nation with one motion of His arm? My children, do not believe that the great and good Creator of Mankind has directed you to destroy your own flesh; and do not doubt that if you pursue this abominable wickedness His vengeance will overtake and crush you.
“The above is addressed to you in the name of the Seventeen Fires. I now speak to you from myself, as a friend who wishes nothing more sincerely than to see you prosperous and happy. Clear your eyes, I beseech you, from the mist which surrounds them. No longer be imposed on by the arts of an imposter. Drive him from your town, and let peace and harmony prevail amongst you. Let your poor old men and women sleep in quietness, and banish from their minds the dreadful idea of being burnt alive by their own friends and countrymen. I charge you to stop your bloody career; and if you value the friendship of your Great Father, the President — if you wish to preserve the good opinion of the Seventeen Fires — let me hear by the return of the bearer that you have determined to follow my advice.”
Your Friend and adviser,
William Henry Harrison, Governor
Indiana Territory
Spemica Lawba and Peketelemund had delivered this letter to Tecumseh, who in turn had read it to the villagers at Buckangehela’s Town. After the reading, Tecumseh folded the letter and handed it to Buckangehela. Tenskwatawa stood and said, “Let the messengers rest and eat. I will retire to my place and meditate on this and see what direction, if any, I shall receive from the Great Spirit on this matter.”
Tecumseh accompanied him. Within the hour, the two brothers emerged, Tenskwatawa ordering all the villagers to be assembled at once. “The white beaver, Harrison,” he said,” said that you should ask me, if I am really a prophet, to cause the sun to stand still and that if I can do this, then you can believe that I have been sent from God. Those are his words, not mine! Therefore, listen now to what I have to say: Fifty days from this day, there will be no cloud in the sky. Yet, when the sun has reached its highest point, at that moment will the Great Spirit take it into Her hand and hide it from us. The darkness of night will thereupon cover us and the stars will shine round us. The birds will go to roost and the night creatures will awaken and stir. Then you will know, beyond further doubt, as the white chief Harrison has said, that your prophet has been sent to you from Maneto.”
June 17, 1806…at precisely noon there was an eclipse of the sun.
I give you this lengthy introduction to demonstrate the authenticity of the prophet who spoke the curse over President Harrison and the Presidential office every 20 years, ending with President Reagan. Again, I believe generational curses are possible in light of this curse. It takes nothing less than the power of Jesus’ blood to break curses. Therefore, we as believers must speak in authority of Holy Writ and the power of Jesus’ blood to overcome any and every generational curse in our family lineage.
SCRIPTURE:
Exodus 34:6-7 – “And He [the Lord] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’ “
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 – “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse – the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.“
Generational curses are judgments that are passed on to individuals because of sins perpetuated in a family in a number of generations. Generational curses are similar to the original sin curse because they can be passed down on a generational basis. They differ in that generational curses do not impose eternal judgment. They bring judgment or bondage during an individual’s life, reducing the quality of life, until that individual addresses the sin issues that put the curses into place.
Leviticus 26:39-42
“Those of you who are left will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins; also because of their fathers’ sin they will waste away. But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers – their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies – then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.” http://www.sw-mins.org/gen_curses.html
“The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:16)
Let’s look at Abraham. He was a liar. He lied to a king about his wife being his sister. He did it twice! Did you know he had a son who told the same lie to the same king 40 years later about his wife? This same son had sons and they were all liars. They lied to their father by telling him Joseph was eaten by animals yet what they really did was sold him into slavery. Here are three generations of liars! Yes, emotions can be inherited. Exodus 20:3-6; Nehemiah 9:2, 32-37; Jeremiah 14:20; Lamentations 5:7; Isaiah 65:6-7; Daniel 9:15-16; Galatians 6:7-8; Leviticus 26:39-40; Deuteronomy 28:15,18A; 5:9, 58-59; Ezra 9:6-7; Jeremiah 14:20; 32:18; Isaiah 14:21a; 65:6-7; Matthew 23:32-36; Numbers 14:18.
Some things we can do
1. Learn that you must take Satan’s tools seriously. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8) If we do not devote our full attention to being parents and grandparents, Satan will seek to separate us from the hearts of our children.
2. Ask God to forgive you for any abomination you have brought into your home. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9) Our hearts need to be clean and pure before the Lord in order to fight for our children. It is important to possess the land positionally as well as experientially.
3. Realize we are in a war. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
4. Understand that our enemy is spiritual. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12)
5. Know what your armor is. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:13-18)
6. Understand that you do not have to fear the devil when you are a spirit-controlled Christian. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” (1 John 4:4) When we begin to understand God’s power then we need not be afraid of the enemy. However, if your church is allowing things of the enemy to control the leadership, beware..
7. Claim the power and authority you have in Christ. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4)
8. Don’t give the devil a foothold. “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27)
9. Remember, we cannot fight Satan in our own strength and power. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. (2 Corinthians 10:4). We do not have Ghostbusters guns; we have the power of God to knock down the devil.
10. Remember, Christ has already overcome. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).
11. Don’t say, “what I don’t know can’t hurt me.” What you don’t know can destroy you! (2 Corinthians 2:11).
12. Be careful of your fellowship with the ungodly. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).
13. Fight the good fight. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).
14. Know the difference between truth and error. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1-6).
15. Don’t be carnal minded. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be: (Romans 8:6-7).
16. Avoid the works of the flesh. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
17. You can recover your children. ” and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Tim.2: 26).
18. Don’t let the world steal your love. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).
19. Don’t try to imitate the world. “and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2)
20. Know that you can overcome the world. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).
21. Know that our weapon is the Word. “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12).
22. You can’t fight the devil alone. “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke thee: (Jude 9)
23. Pray for your children’s eyes to be opened. “To open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).
24. Satan can possess children. “And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, of a child” (Mark 9:21). And because children can be possibly possessed, we need to keep objects and materials away from our children that open them to attack. We need to pray and protect our children.
25. Christ can protect a believer. “but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 John 5:18).
26. Some demons will be removed only through prayer and fasting. “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).
27. Remember, God’s angels will protect you. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14).
http://www.kingshouse.org/gencurses.htm
PART II
Let’s look at the science behind human behavior. In order to do this we need a primary understanding of biology and psychology. Why? We must understand that no one had ever been able to prove beyond a doubt that we are what we are because of genetics or because of our environment. I will speak to both but in light of a third tier—law of generations.
Nature v. nurture
The nature versus nurture debates concern the relative importance of an individual’s innate qualities (”nature”, i.e. nativism, or innatism) versus personal experiences (”nurture”, i.e. empiricism or behaviorism) in determining or causing individual differences in physical and behavioral traits.
The view that humans acquire all or almost all their behavioral traits from “nurture” is known as tabula rasa (”blank slate”). This question was once considered to be an appropriate division of developmental influences, but since both types of factors are known to play such interacting roles in development, many modern psychologists consider the question naive – representing an outdated state of knowledge.[1][2][3][4][5]
Psychologist Donald Hebb is said to have once answered a journalist’s question of “which, nature or nurture, contributes more to personality?” by asking in response, “which contributes more to the area of a rectangle, its length or its width?”[6][7][8][9]
Groundbreaking recent research has shown specific instances in which variations in the environment determine actual “gene expression” — that is, the form, or allele, the gene takes. In large-scale studies in New Zealand, psychologists Avsholom Caspi and Terrie Moffitt have demonstrated that MAO, the gene linked to aggressive and potentially violent behavior, is effectively deactivated when an individual grows up in a caring family. A relatively stress-free home life has the same benign effect on the 5-HTT gene, which helps regulate the brain’s production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter likely linked to depression. Similarly, Finnish researchers have established that a child’s environment can moderate the effect of the gene, DRD4, which is linked to thrill-seeking.
The conclusion is the same. We are what we are because of genetics and environment, one is just as important as the other in shaping human beings. Nevertheless, there is a third component that is oftentimes overlooked—ancestral legacies. This relates to the law of generations. A line of family can perpetuate the consequences of past sins or perpetuate the blessings of a godly life. For example, consider the life of Jonathan Edwards the great puritan minister of the first Great Awakening in colonial America.
Jonathan Edwards – Legacy of Faith
Born on October 5, 1703, Jonathan Edwards was the fifth child in his family of eleven children. He was well educated not only in the Bible and Christian theology, but also in classics and ancient literature. Since he was quite a brilliant young man, he entered Yale College at age 13. While in college Jonathan spent much time studying and as a result graduated as valedictorian and head of his class. Following his graduation, he spent two more years in school studying theology.
From the years 1720 to 1726, he continued to study. Then in 1727, he was ordained a pastor at Northampton, where his grandfather already pastored. In that same year he married Sarah Pierpont. Two years later, he became the sole pastor of the church in Northampton, which at that time was one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Over the next 28 years, he studied, wrote, and defended his faith throughout the country. In February of 1758, he became the president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). But within a month he was inoculated for smallpox, and unfortunately died from the inoculation.
Around the time of his death he was considered one of the most influential and original philosophical theologians of America. He was also deemed one of the greatest and most profound theologians and revivalists of his time. Yet, like those who had gone before, Jonathan Edwards also perished. But unlike other’s legacy of fame, Jonathan Edwards left a legacy of faith. Although that faith may have been misinformed in places and may have dwindled down through the generation, Jonathan Edwards’ offspring is also quite remarkable.
Of Jonathan Edwards’ known male offspring, 300 became pastors, missionaries, or theological professors; 120 of his descendants became college professors, 110 became attorneys, 60 were distinguished authors, 30 became judges, and 14 served as presidents of colleges or universities. Also within Jonathan Edwards’ lineage were 3 congressmen, and one Vice President of the United States. With men in all of these powerful positions, the influence the Edwards family possessed was incredible. When analyzing the success of Jonathan Edwards’ family, two unique attributes were mentioned: one was Jonathan’s unwavering faith in God, and the other was the quality time that his family spent together. Although Jonathan may not have been the most powerful or wealthy man of his day, the legacy of faith that he left his children was far more powerful than anything else he could have passed down. Jonathan Edwards passed down a legacy that was truly worth having!
In conclusion, Charles F. Stanley has stated that:
The inheritance you leave your children is more than money, property, or items of sentimental value. The inheritance that really matters is a godly legacy that will equip your heirs to build loving, eternal, Christ-centered lives.
In our day in age, one of the most important things anyone could do is pass down a Godly heritage. However, growing up in a Christian home and conforming to Christian standards will not stand the test of time. Only true faith will ultimately pull through the Refiner’s fire, and having a life-long Godly testimony is one of the most powerful ways to impact the world for Jesus Christ. When summing up the purpose of mankind, the writer of Ecclesiastes stated in chapter 12, verse 13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
PART III
Galatians 6:1-5: 1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load. NIV
Now look at these same verses in the KJV. 1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5For every man shall bear his own burden.
Notice that the word “burden” is used twice in the KJV. Once in the plural—burdens and the other in the singular—burden. What does this say?
The first time the word burdens is used that meaning is that which is large, weighty, very heavy stone. The next time the word is used in verse 5 it means a little stone.
A burden for us as Christians can be either large or small. The one that is large cannot be carried alone. We must enlist the aid of other believers such as fellow church members or prayer group members. The other burden is light but must not be overlooked. The lighter burden that we all carry is our calling, our ministry. It is our responsibility and ours alone to carry it. We cannot push it on somebody else. We will be judged as to how we carried through with our responsibilities before God.
This also relates to the law of generations. We all carry the lighter burden to walk free in Jesus Christ. We are to break the bonds of distractions that hold us up or keep us tripped up. On the other hand, we may be carrying around heavy burdens from generations past, and we will need the help of the church to break it. Can you see the importance of prayer groups, Communion, services of special anointing, and regular church fellowship? These groups and activities help us break the heaviest bonds in our lives. The law of generations or generational curses are valid. But generational blessings are valid as well and need to be passed along to your children. Be prayerful before God and ask Him to reveal to you the heavy attacks of Satan against you. Then get help and break free in Jesus Christ!
Pastor Terry Dashner
Faith Fellowship Church
Broken Arrow Oklahoma.
