House Church Talk - God good to 9 generations- what about generational curses?

[Scott Dowlen]

Dan,

My personal thinking on generational curses is this: Once the adversary
finds a weakness in one family member, he often just keeps up the same work
on the next generation. Satan's work is done when we start believing lies
about who we are or who God is. We hold on to resentment instead of
forgiving. We "try harder" instead of giving it to God. I have seen
resentment against a parent's sin/failing actual draw the child into the
very same sin.

Sometimes, too, when we are victims of others' sins, the generational nature
of the curse is due to silence, fear, and shame. A molested child grows up
with a messed up view of self (and/or others) that shades how he raises his
kids. Many times that distorted area opens up a door for similar abuse to
happen to the children.

For a child of God, if we are able to see the truth and believe it, then we
are set free (actually we are _already_ free, we just aren't living
according to Truth). Most of the time it is pretty automatic. The hard part
is getting to the truth. Truth about self, about God, about the situation.
Truth about what Jesus meant when He said "It is finished."  Deliverance
services might be needed when demonic forces are still actively whispering
lies into the believer's ear, but I have personally experienced the
situation where God said I was doing the devil's work by accusing myself.
Satan started the lie, and I kept it going.

For me to break the 'generational curse', I had to not only mentally assent
to God's forgiveness for me, I had to embrace forgiveness in my heart - I
had to FEEL forgiven. I had to forgive myself. Now the devil can no longer
accuse me because I fully and deeply believe what God had already said about
me. And I had to forgive the one who sinned against me - which meant I had
to let go of anger and resentment I had hidden away in my heart. I had to be
honest and 'confess' the thing to my family, and especially to my sons who
would have been open to victimization just like I was. Now that we are open
about it, I can teach my sons to protect themselves. Should they be abused
anyway, we can deal with it sooner, and in a healthier manner. We can
counter lies with Truth.

It comes down to believing Truth. Not one generic truth, but specific truths
about self and circumstance in light of what God has said is true. I was a
new creature who didn't believe that a certain area of my life was included
in the new-making process, so I lived according to what I believed. The
curse was broken when the light of Truth revealed my wrong thinking.

I have little experience with many aspects of spiritual warfare and demonic
powers, so there may be other things I don't know about. But I have
experienced first hand the stuff I shared above. My suspicion is that many
'deliverance services' are useless when the core issue is believing Truth.
They may be needed when demons have some stronghold and are actively camped
out and doing their lying work. I couldn't speak authoritatively about that
part.

Does any of this fit what you were asking?  BTW, I also have several
generations of Godly influence in my life. I am truly blessed to see that
continuing in my sons! Oh, the goodness and sweetness of God!!


Scott Dowlen
West Texas


> -----Original Message-----
> From: House Church Talk -bounces at housechurch.org
> [mailto:House Church Talk -bounces at housechurch.org]On Behalf Of Dan Beaty
> Sent: Sunday, 07 November, 2004 8:57 AM
> To: House Church Talk  at housechurch.org
> Subject: Re: House Church Talk -  God good to 9 generations- what about
> generational curses?
>
>
> David and all,
>
> It is clear that godly examples can influence many generations. My
> grandfather was a preacher in the early days of the Pentecostal
> movement.  Four generations later my son is hungry to serve the
> homeless and addicted ones in our area with the Gospel.
>
> But I am hearing a lot of talk these days about "generational
> curses." I realise that all are under the curse of sin, but also
> that the sins of the fathers are visited on the children of the
> third and fourth generation of those who hate God.
>
> There is no doubt that often times the chain of addictions and
> abusive behavior continues its hold on several generations. But
> does that mean we have to all go to "deliverance services" where
> generational curses are identified and individually broken?
>
> My experience in coming into Christ was becoming a "new creation, old
> things passing away, and all things becoming new." Is anyone on this
> list able to explain this other concept to me?
>
> Dan Beaty
> Columbus, Ohio USA
> www.livingtruth.com
>