If I understand what you are referring to, I do not know that I believe in generational curses. It is true that the Lord speaks of "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" (Exodus 20:5). This means that there are instances where the wickedness of wicked men bring evil not only upon themselves but also upon their children and grandchildren. However, I question that this should be called a curse. I believe it is more a natural result of wickedness in a person's life. If a man lived a life of drunkenness, he will bring harm on his children that will probably be extended even to his grandchildren. However, there are good reasons not to consider this a curse.
- Even under the law, the children were not to be put to death for the sins of their fathers. "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). If Exodus 20:5 had been a curse, then the guilt of the father would be passed to the sons. It is not.
-
Ezekiel 18 explains that the program of God is changed in this matter. Ezekiel 18:20 states, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." However, the entire chapter shows this to be far more than a restatement of Deuteronomy 24:16. A righteous man will deliver himself by his own righteousness despite the actions of his parents.
- To call this a curse is to minimize the power of the gospel of the grace of God as it works through Jesus Christ. He who knows the Lord Jesus Christ personally as Saviour has no curse on him. There is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Christ was made a curse for us and has "redeemed us from the curse of the law" (Galatians 3:13). Therefore, even if there was a generational curse under the law, it is done away in Jesus Christ. To teach that God's people can be cursed is to deny the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.
There is one thing that this passage teaches that remains with us today. The sins we commit have an effect on others and they have their greatest effect on our children and descendants. If you or someone else feels the effects of the sins of your parents or grandparents, then give yourself to Jesus Christ and allow Him to remove the curse of the law. Then, determine with the help of the Lord and by His grace to begin a new set of generations who love God and live for Him. May the Lord help us all in this. Many of us will not have godly parents, but all Christian parents can determine that they will be godly parents. We need to be ready to fight for our own "piece of ground full of lentiles" (2 Samuel 23:11- 2).
