Generational Curses?

 

GENERATIONAL CURSES?

Exodus 34:7: “visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children…”

Pastor Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC of Armagh, PA; 11/14/25

 

In recent years there has been some excitement over so-called “generational curses.” This anxiety—often associated with Charismatics (but not limited to them)—is frequently expressed with mystical overtones and related to an unhealthy over-preoccupation with demonology. The basic idea is that due to the sin of a certain ancestor, an explicit formal Divine “curse” has fallen upon all their descendants, with a specific demon being assigned to afflict terrible bondage upon future generations.  

 

In response to such an extravagant and unnuanced position, let us remind ourselves of the justice of God: “The son will not bear the iniquity of the father…” (Ezek.18:20). The concept of “generational curses” as defined by Deliverance Movement-types is crudely superstitious and wildly overstated—we are not inherently “doomed beyond hope” because great-great-granny is said to have been a gypsy fortune teller.

 

Nonetheless, behind most myths are underlying realities. For example, the concepts of an inherited sin-nature derived from Father Adam (Ps. 51:5) and the imputation of Adam’s sin unto his descendants (Rom. 5:12-21) are Biblically valid ideas.  

 

Ultimately, the great sobering reality lying beneath the idea of generational curses is the legitimate concept of generational cycles. It is an awesome and terrifying reality that what we do (or fail to do) as individuals within our homes and churches WILL have vastly influential and monumental levels of impact upon others—including our future descendants! The darkest patterns of human behavior—abuse, addiction, immorality—can be generationally recycled over-and-over again, due to ignorance, sin, and neglect. As we model bad behavior, these patterns will be normalized in the hearts and minds of our children. Ancient Israel repeatedly ignored God’s warnings concerning idolatry—resulting in sin’s multi-generational contagious transmission and leading to the inevitable fruit of Divine judgment (Jer.32:18). Yet, with repentance, Israel also experienced God’s deliverance from generational patterns of sinful behavior (1Sam.12:10-12)!

 

The GOOD NEWS: God can rescue us as well, breaking the chain and freeing us and our families from the bondage of generational cycles!