This is a topic I came across while reading a book recently. With my note pad beside my bed I wrote the words, “generational sins?” I knew I wanted to find out more about this term and what God says. The book I was reading was a Christian book, but I knew I needed to research this on my own and not take the author’s opinion. I thought I would share what I have learned, but once again don’t take my word study God’s word yourself.

Some teachers call this “generational curses.” And by that they mean people can “inherit” specific types of moral weaknesses and sins based on the sins of their ancestors. Usually this term is not referred to the physical (for example if a parent was an alcoholic, you are predestined to be an alcoholic). Many times the term refers to having a specific moral weakness.

What lead me to research this was that it is obvious there are “generational consequences.” We see these consequences daily. If you have an alcoholic parent, then you have the negative consequences of having a parent that was possibly not there for you, or who mistreated you, or did not make wise decisions. The question though is “are you judged based on the sin of your parent’s alcoholism (insert any other sin)?”

Teachers who believe in generational curses often use :

“The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.” Ezekiel 18:2-3(ESV)

What happens here is confusing scripture is often used to support false teaching, and Christians do not research to find out the context of the surrounding verses.

Living Bible translation says, “Parents ate the sour grapes and it was the children that got the sour grape taste, which means that the parents sinned and the children got the consequences. More importantly, what these Bible passages are saying is that …… everyone will be accountable for his or her own sins.”

If you read the rest of Ezekiel 18 it lists:

If a father sins, he will die; if the son sins, he will die. (vs 4)
If the father sins and the son does NOT; the son will live. (vs. 10-13)
If the father or son sin and then seeks repentance, they will live. (vs 21)
If the father or son is righteous and then turns sinful, he will die. (vs. 24)

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Ezekiel 18:20

GOD IS VERY CLEAR THAT EVERYONE WILL BE JUDGED INDIVIDUALLY. (v. 20-24)

After studying God’s word I have concluded there is NO SUCH THING as “generational curses” but there are generational consequences. Christians now live under the new covenant through Jesus Christ. Under this new covenant it says:

Romans 6:14-15 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Therefore even if our ancestors were atheists or non-Christians, God will pour out the full blessings of the New Covenant upon us if we truly come to Him through Jesus death on the cross. The opposite is true also, even if you are raised in a Christian home — that does not make you a Christian.

Each person is judged by their own personal decision to accept Christ and to turn away from sin.

And if you are a victim of generational consequences, the good news is God can turn these painful times around and use them for His Glory in bringing others to Christ.

I hope you found this as educational as I did.  Would love to hear your thoughts.