Are we cursed?

His email was unexpected, but a welcomed surprise.  My friend was studying for a class he would present in the future and wanted my thoughts.  I immediately was interested in the topic but was at a loss as to where to begin.  So as is my usual starting point, I spent time in prayer and within a relatively short time, I once again enjoyed the soft whisper as His Spirit began to speak.

My friend was unsettled that many fall prey to unnecessary worry over teachings that generational curses must be broken.  It sounds as if we are helplessly and haplessly wandering through life, subject to the whims or wieldings of spirits assigned to ensure our days are full of torment.  Yet that is not at all the conclusion my research led me to discover.

I want to share with you what I found scripturally and scientifically and will share a link to a brief article that some may find helpful.  Let us first review what God’s Word has to say about the matter.

WHAT DOES GOD’s WORD SAY?

The entire chapter of Ezekiel 18 deals with generational curses, but I am including only a few verses here:

The word of the Lord came to me:  “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“ ‘The fathers eat sour grapes,

and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.  For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son – both alike belong to me.  The soul who sins is the one who will die …

“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

“He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. 

He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.

He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. 

He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.

He withholds his hand from sin and takes no usury or excessive interest.

He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live.  But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. Ezekiel 18:14-18 NIV

And Jeremiah echoes the Lord’s message spoken through Ezekiel:

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will plant the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the offspring of men and of animals.  Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the Lord.  “In those days people will no longer say,

‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,

and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ 

Instead, everyone will die for his own sin; whoever eats sour grapes – his own teeth will be set on edge. 

“The time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 

It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 

“This is the covenant I will make …  Jeremiah 31:27-33 NIV

And from where we are today, we understand that  the Lord created the new covenant through the blood of Jesus.  Jesus said:

… “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:20 NIV

God’s Word does not support the idea that we are subject to generational curses.  Now let us consider scientific research.

DOES SCIENCE REVEAL ANYTHING ABOUT GENERATIONAL CURSES?

Dr. Caroline Leaf has researched and made interesting discoveries in neuroscience.  Below is a lengthy quote from Renowned, the next Warrior of the Word Bible study on Ruth and Boaz, soon to be released, including some of her findings: 

Some might say Boaz had good genes for leadership.  While there may be some truth to that, it was ultimately his decisions that led him to become a man of renown.  Consider this scientific research about how genetics influences our brains and how our choices align with or override our genes:

“Epigenetics is referred to as a new science, but actually it is an ancient science that we find throughout the Bible. At its most basic level, epigenetics is the fact that your thoughts and choices impact your physical brain and body, your mental health, and your spiritual development (Deut. 30:19; Ps. 34:11-16; Prov. 3:7-8).  And those choices will impact not only your own spirit, soul, and body but also the people with whom you have relationships.  In fact, it goes even deeper; your choices might impact the generations that follow:  ‘For the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation’ (Exod. 34:7 NIV; see also Exod. 20:1-6; Num. 14:8; Deut. 5:9).

“The decisions you make today become part of the thought networks in your brain …

“Taken collectively, the studies on epigenetics shows us that the good, the bad, and the ugly do come down through the generations, but your mind is the signal – the epigenetic factor – that switches these genes on or off.  Therefore, you are not destined to live out the negative patterns of your forebearers-you can instead make a life choice to overcome by tweaking their patterns of expression … [emphasis added]

“Taking this further, the Scriptures that tell us the sins of the parents will reach to the third and fourth generation (Exod. 20:5; 34:7; Num. 14:18) seem to imply that we are responsible for the unconfessed sins of our great-great-grandparents.  But we can breathe a sigh of relief when we read Deuteronomy 24:16 and Ezekiel 18:19-20, which explain that we are each responsible for our own sins and not those of our ancestors.

“I know this seems confusing, because the Scriptures say that, on the one hand, a parent’s iniquity will be visited on the children, but, on the other hand, we are only responsible for our own sins.  Here is how it works:  Epigenetic changes represent a biological response to an environmental signal.  That response can be inherited through the generations via the epigenetic marks.  But if you remove the signal, the epigenetic marks will fade.

“By the same token, if you choose to add a signal – for example, say something like, ‘My mother had depression and that’s why I have depression, and now my daughter is suffering from depression’ –then the epigenetic marks are activated.  The thinking and speaking out the problem serve as the signal that makes it a reality …

“Herein lies the key:  The sins of parents create a predisposition, not a destiny.  You are not responsible for something you are predisposed to because of ancestral decisions.  You are responsible, however, to be aware of predispositions, evaluate them, and choose to eliminate them. … [emphasis added]

“In addition, our choices (the epigenetic signals) alter the expression of genes (the epigenetic markers), which can then be passed on to our children and grandchildren, ready to predispose them before they are even conceived.  So our bad choices become their bad predispositions. …

“In the same way, the addition of a positive attitude signal or a memorized and meditated-upon Scripture signal can change the expression of the gene.” ¹

While that was a lengthy quote about scientific discoveries regarding our physical brains and conscious choices that affect those coming after us, it points to the fact that each of us are predisposed to certain habits, behaviors, and addictions because of our genetic inheritance.  However, praise God, those predispositions are not our destiny! Genetic markers can be either activated or disabled. Our conscious choices lead us to either reject or achieve God’s purpose in our lives.  

POINT TO PONDER:  Consider your heritage, your natural responses and thought patterns.  Toward what predisposition might your genetic markers point?  How might knowledge of genetic tendencies and personal choice help you make better conscious decisions?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2 NIV

What does it mean to renew your mind?  How might that be accomplished?  Let us allow these words to guide our reflections:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-23 NIV

NOTE:  Renowned is a Warrior of the Word Bible study of Boaz and Ruth soon to be released.  Prayer support for completion of this project would be greatly appreciated.

¹ Leaf, Dr. Caroline.  Switch On Your Brain. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books. 2013. P. 56-59

HERE IS A BRIEF ARTICLE

And finally, I found a concise article that deals with generational curses should you like to read it:  “Are Generational Curses Real Today,” by Jessica Brodie.

SO, ARE WE CURSED?

God’s Word does not support the idea that we are subject to generational curses. Although the second commandment in Exodus 20:5 states:

“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, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-5 NIV

Dr. Leaf’s research noted above explains how our tendency to genetic markers can be changed.  While we come wired with certain tendencies passed to us genetically, we are not salves to them.  We have the power of choice, the power to choose God’s ways rather than to follow our inclinations. 

And as Jeremiah and Ezekiel recorded the messages they received from the Lord, a new covenant was made through Jesus Christ.  And what is the final result?  Each of us bears our own sin.  Yet, thankfully, Jesus came to bear our sin and free us from such burdens.  May we willingly surrender control to the maker of heaven and earth, accepting the work Jesus did for us on the cross.  As we release what we cannot keep, He provides what we cannot attain. 

Let us carefully consider what teachings we allow to influence our thoughts and behaviors.  And let us first measure each message for alignment with God’s Word.

  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.  This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:1-4 NIV

My friend’s email stirred much thought within me.  And through the process of prayer and research, I was delighted to discover we are not powerless, tossed about in the sea of life with forces beyond our control.  It has always been, and still is, God’s intent to bless and not harm us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all our heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity …” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.  Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.