Generational Curses...

[cndlou]

My brother and I have been discussing generational curses and how to get past/rid of those curses.... We have discovered we really don't know alot about this topic... Can you help us with your insight, knowledge or even just your own opinion???

[Russell Roberts]

Sure, they are a myth perpetuated by televangelists who want your money? Next question.

[dawgs10]

My brother and I have been discussing generational curses and how to get past/rid of those curses.... We have discovered we really don't know alot about this topic... Can you help us with your insight, knowledge or even just your own opinion???

not spiritual at all. Christ took the curse on himself on the cross. when we accept Christ the "curse" is broken. the rest is mental and part of how we were raised. i see no proof in the new testament after Jesus came.

[paul]

My brother and I have been discussing generational curses and how to get past/rid of those curses.... We have discovered we really don't know alot about this topic... Can you help us with your insight, knowledge or even just your own opinion???

not spiritual at all. Christ took the curse on himself on the cross. when we accept Christ the "curse" is broken. the rest is mental and part of how we were raised. i see no proof in the new testament after Jesus came.

Depends on your definition of "Curse" and the context in which the question was asked. Their is plenty of evidence to prove that many behavior traits are passed from generation to generation.. spousal abuse...alcholism...sexual abuse...pronography. Can these be defined as a curse? I think many would see them as a curse that has plagued their family for generations, (these certinally being learned behavior) Then their are those physicalogical diseases, Turett, Parkisons,dibietes..the list goes on. Some women are pre disposed to certain types of cancer (notably breat cancer) Are these cursed that seem to have attached themselves to families

I do agree with Dawgs that these curses taken by Christ and nailed to the cross, but in most christianity today all that is said to those suffering is..Repeat this prayer, be blessed and work out your own salvation. They have little is any clue to what was provided for them by way of the cross.

Russell I expect more from you than a flipped answer as to it being a ply of televangelist. You know better than that.

[dawgs10]

My brother and I have been discussing generational curses and how to get past/rid of those curses.... We have discovered we really don't know alot about this topic... Can you help us with your insight, knowledge or even just your own opinion???

not spiritual at all. Christ took the curse on himself on the cross. when we accept Christ the "curse" is broken. the rest is mental and part of how we were raised. i see no proof in the new testament after Jesus came.

Depends on your definition of "Curse" and the context in which the question was asked. Their is plenty of evidence to prove that many behavior traits are passed from generation to generation.. spousal abuse...alcholism...sexual abuse...pronography. Can these be defined as a curse? I think many would see them as a curse that has plagued their family for generations, (these certinally being learned behavior) Then their are those physicalogical diseases, Turett, Parkisons,dibietes..the list goes on. Some women are pre disposed to certain types of cancer (notably breat cancer) Are these cursed that seem to have attached themselves to families

I do agree with Dawgs that these curses taken by Christ and nailed to the cross, but in most christianity today all that is said to those suffering is..Repeat this prayer, be blessed and work out your own salvation. They have little is any clue to what was provided for them by way of the cross.

Russell I expect more from you than a flipped answer as to it being a ply of televangelist. You know better than that.

i agree with paul. what i am trying to get across is that if you trust Jesus as the Son of God and allow him to reside in you these things can be broken. but all of these although they can be used to hurt us spirtualy they were brought on by men and not a spiritual thing. people mistreating us, sure can hurt, but is not a spiritual curse. when we were children in Christ we acting like children but a day comes when we put away child like things. Christ can help with man made issues.

[cndlou]

Thank you Paul & Dawgs for your answers... And Russell, I was asking this as a serious question. If you don't have a serious answer on my questions, please just don't say anything.

My reason for asking is just this, we have come upon somethings in our family history that we are questioning as a possible "generational curse"... We have always known our family tree was just nuts because we couldn't really tie much together... Thanks again Paul & dawgs! Still would like any other thinking or books etc on the subject....

[Russell Roberts]

Ok, I'm sorry for giving a flippant answer.

What people fail to realize is that we have never been under the curse. This is a perfect demonstration of the importance of reading the bible in context.

Neither you nor I nor any other Christian has ever been under the curse. The curse of the law (which defined what the heck the curse was) only ever applied to ethnic Jews.

You were most definitely not redeemd from the curse of the law and neither was I. Again, we have never been under the law. It is without question that it is simply impossible to be under the curse of something we have never been under.

Paul was a Jew who actually HAD been under the curse of the law. He, AND JESUS as well, were both born under Torah. So Paul COULD RIGHTFULLY say that "WE", speaking as a Jew who had been under the law "have been redeemed from the curse of the law."

Hope this helps.

[MacUser]

Neither you nor I nor any other Christian has ever been under the curse. The curse of the law (which defined what the heck the curse was) only ever applied to ethnic Jews.

You were most definitely not redeemd from the curse of the law and neither was I. Again, we have never been under the law. It is without question that it is simply impossible to be under the curse of something we have never been under.

Are you sure we are all free of the full effects/remnants of the curse?

Question: What if groups of Christians still act/obey/think as if they are under the Law? Meaning they obey the law of Moses over or on par with Christ. They prophesy as if they are Elijah when Paul clearly outlines what the new prophet is.

Matthew 17 talks about how Peter was confused and wanted to treat them all equal. Yet while he was speaking... God apparently "agitated" with his misunderstanding of events set the record clear with immediately obstructing vision and shouting.. "It's JESUS stupid.. Listen to him!"

Do we fully know and embrace what the GOOD NEWS is? I'm learning.

[Russell Roberts]

Mac,

That is why it is important for Christians to understand that the Torah was given only to ethnic Jews for a temporary period of time. If Christians don't understand who the law was for and what it did, it will never be clear that God has called us to freedom. Jesus didn't come to bring us a higher ethical standard. He came to set Christians free from sin and death. And when someone has been baptized into Jesus Christ, they have switched masters.

Paul explains this in Romans. It is a simple fact that Christians are not enslaved to sin and we need to act like it. Paul was urging them to act in accordance with what had happened to them in Christ.

Do God's children live under a curse? The whole generational curse myth is simply that, a myth. Would we curse our own children? I hope not. Nor would God curse his own children. That is just ridiculous.

[beckrl]

What many may be thinking of is the Blessings and Cursings in Deuteronomy Chapters 27 & 28

Which is given to the children of Israel in the effect of the ratification of the covenant.

Although the curse of the law is taken away by Christ on the cross to those that believe and obey.

Galatians 3:
13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

[Pastor Gary]

cndlou --

Even if one accepted the idea that a spiritual, generational curse existed (kind of like a hex or a voodoo thing?) the entire scriptural basis for such teaching is flawed by the way verses are ripped out of context.

I have heard this passage used to teach the generational curse idea:
Exodus 20:4-5
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me..."

The problem with citing that passage as a proof-text for generational curses (or generational bondage) is that they stop reading at verse 5, because to continue reading totally destroys the argument!

Here it is IN CONTEXT:
Exodus 20:5+6
"...I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments."

So, if you love him and keep his commandments -- as I am confident you do -- there are no curses, generational or otherwise, punishing you and your family; rather, you are shown love to a thousand generations!

Now, as Paul correctly pointed out, we live in a fallen world, and we are broken to an extent... our DNA is broken, our mental, physical and emotional health are broken... so there are certainly propensities and problems inherited from your family. My wife inherited almost perfect teeth from her family, while I inherited really bad teeth that have caused me endless hours and thousands of dollars in dental care. I have a horrible tendency toward procrastination (which I rationalize as "I work best under deadline pressure!" HA!) that I see passed down in both of my children. Are those "generational curses?"

Certain races of people and ethnic groups have inherited tendencies: people of African heritage have a stronger susceptibility to Sickle Cell Anemia than other racial groups... is that a generational curse on black people? Some native American tribes are unable to drink in moderation (as Russell so often promotes) because they have a genetic propensity toward physical addiction and two beers puts them on the road to gutter alcoholism. Generational curse?

You have to define your terms.

[paul]

What many may be thinking of is the Blessings and Cursings in Deuteronomy Chapters 27 & 28

Which is given to the children of Israel in the effect of the ratification of the covenant.

Although the curse of the law is taken away by Christ on the cross to those that believe and obey.

Galatians 3:
13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

If I understand Russell right, his view would be that the gentiles including you and I, were never under the law because the law was given to the Jews only. Therefore we are not redeemed from the curse of the law because we were never under any curse as gentiles. Not sure I am in complete agreement here, but I think I understand his point.

[Russell Roberts]

Paul, Paul's argument depends on that very fact in at least two passages that I am aware of. One in Galatians 3, the other in Romans 3. I would expound them but I'm too tired, cold, and I'm about to leave the office to get some ground beef and, uh, milk? I think.

LOL

Bless you brother Paul.

[dawgs10]

there is such a thing as generational stupid. for example, someones parents was drinkers and smokers so now they are a drinker and a smoker, even when they watched their parents die of lung and liver cancer. this would be generational stupid. GET IT!!!!!

[Russell Roberts]

Is there such a thing as generational hateful?