Under The New Covenant, Are You Still Under a Generational Curse?

I was stunned. I was finishing up visiting with an older woman who had lived many years and had been a pillar in the church. She had asked me about some parenting struggles I was having with one of my children and I shared what God was showing me in that season. She didn’t seem convinced by my optimistic response, rather a heavy concern shadowed her eyes. She took my hand in hers and told me that she was very concerned that my child was under a “generational curse” because of some choices a close relative of mine had done.

I did not challenge her as I have enough respect for those older than me to keep my mouth shut. Oh, but I was angry.

Have you ever heard this? I have… plenty of times.

I recall the pain in a woman’s voice whom I was seated with at a wedding as she explained to me why she would never step foot in a church after a pastor told her that her son was born with a deformity because of some sin she committed and hadn’t repented of ( she couldn’t think of what it could be).

I remember a young woman who lost her child ask me if her child who was born with a serious medical condition was being punished because of a wrong choice she made years ago.

A dear friend of mine has been told that her children are under a curse because of the sins of a grandfather who left his family over thirty years prior.

Many Christians live under a heavy cloud of fear lest they fall under a curse. Many live in a state of doom and gloom because of their family history of generations past or even under condemnation because of something they said or did that they may be trying to make amends for. The guilt keeps them in or out of the church and/or keeps their guilt-laden prayer life in check.

Is it true?

Could you be under a generational curse?

Deuteronomy 28:15-68 describes curses that would befall the Israelites if they did not follow the law of Moses. (In the verses beforehand, you can read about the blessings they could expect if they obeyed. )

The blessings are beautiful. The curses… not so much.

Here’s the good news:

When Jesus died, he established a New ( and better) Covenant which made the Old Covenant of Moses obsolete. Galatians 3:13 tells us that He became the curse for us.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

All of the curses described in Deuteronomy fell on Him when He hung on the tree. When He became sin for us, that sin attracted the curse. The punishment the law brought by disobedience was finished with Christ’s obedience.

Now, all of the blessings not only are still relevant, but they’ve also increased and been added to!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:3

So, lift your head up, Christian! You are not under a generational curse, you are under generational blessings. Your DNA begins with Christ and so His DNA ( Divine Nature Attributes 😁- I made that up) is your DNA because “as He is so are you in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

Furthermore, if you read Ezekiel 18:1-32, you can read Gods heart concerning generational curses. It’s actually a reversal of all the curses found in Deuteronomy. God is prophesying that under a New Covenant each person will be responsible for their own soul- the generational curses that plagued up to five generations would end. Even though there were curses associated with disobeying the law, you will also read how God didn’t want the people to be cursed. It was never His heart or choice for them. He is compassionate, gracious, long suffering, etc.

The curses under the Old Covenant of MOSES was not God’s plan or desire from the get go. The people are the ones who chose the system of behavior based blessing/ curses. It was the law that cursed them- not God.

Because Jesus became the end of the law - the end of the punishment of the law on bad behavior, goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our life. It’s chasing after us!

So don’t let anyone tell you that you or your kids are under some generational curse.

Don’t believe it and don’t receive it. If you are sick, receive what Christ purchased for you by His wounds. If you are depressed, receive His peace. If your kids are wayward, tell them that they are your beloved child.