Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children?

Created Date: 16-May-2016

Generational curse?   No

Last updated: 11-Jun-2019

A A A  help

Sections
 

1 Generational Curse Exists? No 2 Good News
3 Satanic Realm Territoriality 4 Strongholds of Satanic Forces
5 Suffering was meant to happen to the Christian?    

Generational Curse Exists? No

There are scriptures that describe problems that are caused by the ancestors against the descendants.  For example, in Exodus we learn about the consequences of false worship on all of Israel and the children. 
 

Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them idols, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
Jeremiah 32:17-18 17 ‘Oh, Lord God! Behold, You Yourself have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, 18 who shows mercy to thousands, but repays the wrongdoing of fathers into the laps of their children after them, great and mighty God. The Lord of armies is His name;

The key part to note on the scriptural verses is consequences are for those who:

  1. Worship false gods (the idols),
  2. Serve the false gods,
  3. Who hate the true and only God.   (Author's note: Ignoring God is the same as hating God.)

In Ezekiel 18:20, there we learn additionally that the sins of the sons and daughter can have consequences on the parents.  In the verse notice that God clarifies that righteousness is based on our behavior "be upon himself".   The problem comes when parents and offspring continue in idol worship, serving false gods and hate/ignore god.

Good News

Scripture dealing with the list of offenses against God and the good news is found in Ezekiel. 

Ezekiel 18:19-21 18 Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?' When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live. 20 The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. 21 But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

Notice that if a person no longer continues in the areas warned, then God states:

Satanic Realm Territoriality

The Satanic Realm consists of Fallen Angels and Demons that scriptural appear to be territorial which can then mimic the idea of a generational curse.  We learn from many scriptures that the Satanic Realm consisting of Lucifer, the Fallen Angels and Demons are territorial.  Notice in Daniel 10:20 that there is a Satanic Prince of Persia. 

Biblical Scholars point out that there are specific responsibilities and evil talents that Fallen Angels and Demons will specialize or traffic.  As an example, medical doctor often specializes in specific areas but are still capable of assisting in other areas.  

Notice in Matthew 12:44, the Satanic Spirit returns to house which it has familiarity and may possess or oppress different members of a family.  As an example, if the Satanic Spirit formerly was occupying a house and influencing a parent with alcoholism, where the parent is no longer an alcoholic, then the Satanic Spirit will attempt to get assistance in getting the parent to start drinking alcohol again and possibly trying to influence other family members.  The Satanic Spirit's action of trying to influence other family members can be wrongly considered a generational curse when it is actually a territorial Satanic influence.

 
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  

Note: this indicates there are Fallen Angels that rule and are in the spirit realm. 
Daniel 10:20 Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 

Note: this indicates that Michael is having to fight against the principalities in the spirit realm that are over earthly geographical areas.
Psalm 22:12 is Messianic and points to the Messiah dying on the cross where it relates a satanic spiritual entity surrounding Him

"Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.

Note that the exact meaning of verse 12 is not known but it is the consensus of many that is a satanic entity.  Read the whole Psalm 22 and it is absolutely an awe-inspiring way to so many idioms of the cross such as verse 16 through 18.
Matthew 12:43-45 43 Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it 44 Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.

Strongholds of Satanic Forces

The spiritual interpretation of the scriptures, point to the reality of Strongholds of Satanic Forces.  These strongholds specialize in either manipulation through possession or oppression.   

The individual Satanic Spirits, who are working in a family with such things as adultery, alcoholism, drug addiction, physical abuse, murder and so much more have to be contended with by the succeeding generations because of the Strongholds they have created in territorial proximity.  This is why it is almost always seen in life, that the offspring of the parents will commit, participate or fall into the same negative choices of the parents.  As pointed out above Matthew 12:43-45, let us know the standard operational approach used by Satanic Spirits.

There is always help and victory!  In all things we know that God is there for us and we only need to ask for His assistance.  The start of not only fighting against the Satanic Strongholds and our own sinful nature is to:

  1. Spend time with God in prayer,
  2. Read the Word of God
  3. Spend time with other Christians
  4. Seek help in specialty groups for assistance with addictions.
Hebrews 4:15-16 5 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ

Suffering was meant to happen

Suffering happens to all Christians and there is many blessing that can be obtained through them.  Understanding the reasons can help us all when we are going through tough times and when getting out of a tough time in our lives.

What to read next?

What is Salvation?  Is it possible to lose Salvation?  We have eternal life Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?