And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (John 9:1-3 KJV)
In first-century Jewish thought, the connection between sin and suffering was deeply embedded in religious understanding. The disciples’ question about the blind man reflected this prevalent theological framework that saw suffering as divine punishment. This led people to constantly search for causative reasons in either personal or ancestral sin.
The disciples’ question was not merely casual curiosity. Their question revealed a cultural obsession with finding someone to blame for suffering – whether the afflicted person or their ancestors. This perspective created a burden of guilt that affected people’s faith and their relationship with God.
The Modern Echo of an Ancient Belief
In contemporary Christianity, a troubling pattern has emerged where some religious leaders have transformed the concept of generational curses into a lucrative enterprise. Much like the ancient tendency to blame ancestors for present suffering, these leaders capitalize on people’s desperation by claiming that their financial struggles, health problems, or personal setbacks stem from ancestral sins.
The religious leaders position themselves as specialized intermediaries who, for a price, can break these supposed curses through specific prayers, rituals, or “seed offerings.”
This exploitation not only distorts biblical teaching but also creates a cycle of dependency where vulnerable believers feel compelled to make continuous financial contributions to secure their spiritual freedom.
This exploitation not only distorts biblical teaching but also creates a cycle of dependency where vulnerable believers feel compelled to make continuous financial contributions to secure their spiritual freedom.
Reignited Faith
This manipulation becomes particularly harmful when these religious leaders encounter people facing genuine hardships. Instead of offering the comfort of Christ’s redemption or helping people understand the various causes of suffering, they immediately attribute all struggles to generational curses.
In Kenya and similar areas, evangelical Christian churches have a strong presence, with pastors often attracting followers through claims of miraculous abilities. While many religious leaders serve their communities responsibly, there are cases where some exploit their spiritual authority. This can lead to concerning situations where congregants may be led into harmful practices, as demonstrated in the case of Pastor Paul Mackenzie.
These leaders insist that ancestral sins are the root cause whether someone faces unemployment, chronic illness, relationship difficulties, or other personal challenges.
This oversimplified explanation preys on the natural human tendency to seek concrete reasons for suffering, leading many sincere Christians to exhaust their resources pursuing “deliverance” from curses that Christ has already broken through His sacrifice.
This teaching has devastating effects. Many Christians find themselves:
- Questioning divine justice when facing inexplicable hardships
- Feeling helpless because they cannot change their ancestors’ actions
- Losing faith as they see no way out of their “inherited” curses
- Carrying unnecessary burdens of guilt for sins they didn’t commit
Biblical Examples of Sin’s Generational Impact
The Old Testament provides several striking examples of how sin’s consequences can affect families across generations:
King David’s household experienced the aftermath of his sin with Bathsheba. God proclaimed, “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house” (2 Samuel 12:10). Indeed, David’s family suffered through rebellion, murder, and strife among his children.
Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, brought leprosy upon his descendants through deception. After lying to Naaman, Elisha declared, “The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed forever” (2 Kings 5:27).
Eli’s family faced judgment because he failed to restrain his sons’ wickedness (1 Samuel 3:12-14), demonstrating how parental negligence can affect future generations.
Examining the Biblical Foundation
The primary scripture used to support generational curses comes from Exodus 20:5-6:
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, 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; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:5-6 KJV)
Those who teach generational curses often emphasize “visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation” while overlooking crucial context. Let’s breakdown the passage:
“Thou Shalt Not Bow Down Thyself to Them, nor Serve Them”
Exodus 20:5-6 opens with a prohibition, lo tishtachaveh (לֹ֥א תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֣ה), meaning “thou shalt not bow down,” and lo ta’avdem (לֹ֥א תָעָבְדֵֽם), “nor serve them.” These commands hint at a context of idolatry, which is a conscious choice to turn away from God toward other objects of worship. Thus, from the outset, it is clear we’re dealing with personal decisions, not inherited curses. The language used here emphasizes individual responsibility in matters of worship and devotion.
“For I the Lord Thy God Am a Jealous God.”
The text continues with “For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” The phrase El kanna (אֵ֣ל קַנָּ֔א), “jealous God,” reveals God’s character. This divine jealousy isn’t the petty, vindictive kind we often think of, but rather speaks to God’s passionate desire for an exclusive relationship with His people. It speaks to God’s passionate commitment to His covenant relationship. Like a faithful spouse who rightfully expects fidelity, God seeks our undivided devotion. The Hebrew root connects to zealous love and marital devotion, painting a picture of deep, protective love rather than vengeful possession.
“Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the Third and Fourth Generation”
The phrase poked avon (פֹּ֠קֵד עֲוֺ֨ן), “visiting iniquity,” is crucial to our understanding. Note carefully that God uses the word “visiting,” not “cursing.” Poked implies inspection or attention, not cursing or punishment. When coupled with al-banim (עַל־בָּנִ֛ים), “upon children,” it suggests natural consequences flowing through family systems rather than a divinely imposed curse. Parents’ choices naturally affect their children – but influence isn’t the same as inevitability.
“Of Them That Hate Me”
The qualifier l’son’ai (לְשֹׂנְאָֽ֑י), “of those who hate me,” is the key that many overlook. This participle form indicates ongoing, conscious rejection. The consequences mentioned only apply to those who actively continue in rejecting God. Each generation makes its own choice – the cycle breaks the moment someone turns to God in faith. This limitation demolishes any notion of automatic generational transmission.
“And Showing Mercy unto Thousands”
The contrast arrives with oseh chesed (עֹ֤שֶׂה חֶ֙סֶד֙), “showing mercy/lovingkindness.” Chesed represents God’s covenant faithfulness and steadfast love, extending to la’alafim (לַאֲלָפִ֑ים), “to thousands.” This vast disproportion between three or four generations and thousands reveals God’s true heart: His mercy far outweighs any generational influence of sin. Thus, there is no room for paid intermediaries to access mercy.
“Of Them That Love Me and Keep My Commandments”
The conclusion, l’ohavai ul’shomrei mitzvotai (לְאֹהֲבַ֖י וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֹתָֽי), “of them that love me, and keep my commandments,” emphasizes personal relationship and obedience. These participles indicate ongoing action – active love and continuous observance.
The path to freedom is straightforward: loving God and walking in His ways. There’s no complex ritual required, no special offering needed, no spiritual intermediary necessary – just a heart turned toward God.
Understanding for Today
This careful analysis reveals several crucial truths:
- The passage addresses personal choice, not inherited destiny
- God’s mercy vastly outweighs any generational influence
- Breaking negative patterns requires only turning to God
- No paid intervention is needed to access God’s mercy
- Each generation can choose differently, regardless of family history
The text presents not a doctrine of unbreakable curses but a revelation of God’s overwhelming grace, freely available to all who turn to Him in faith and obedience. This is the true message of Exodus 20:5-6 – not a message of bondage but one of freedom through personal relationship with a covenant-keeping God.
This truth demolishes the modern practice of charging fees to “break” generational curses. The passage actually reveals God’s heart of abundant mercy, freely available to anyone who turns to Him.
The idea that we need to pay someone to break these curses not only contradicts the text but diminishes the sufficiency of God’s freely offered grace. Each person has direct access to God’s mercy through faith and obedience, making any paid “deliverance ministry” not just unnecessary but contrary to the very nature of God’s freely given mercy revealed in this passage.
- The passage specifically addresses idolatry
- The key phrase “of them that hate me” identifies who receives these consequences
- The contrast with God’s mercy to “thousands of them that love me” reveals His true character
This proper understanding reveals a powerful truth: the “curse” operates only within generations that continue in rebellion against God. When someone chooses to love and serve God, they break the cycle. The curse stops with them.
The “curse” operates only within generations that continue in rebellion against God.
Reignited Faith
The Purpose of Suffering
Returning to the blind man’s story, Jesus’ response revolutionizes our understanding of suffering. By stating that neither the man nor his parents sinned, Jesus dismantles the simplistic cause-and-effect view of suffering. Instead, He reveals a higher purpose: “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
This perspective finds a powerful parallel in Job’s story. Scripture describes Job as “perfect and upright” (Job 1:1), yet he endured extraordinary suffering. Like the blind man, Job’s afflictions didn’t stem from personal or ancestral sin but served a greater purpose in the cosmic conflict between God and Satan.
Behind the visible struggles of both men lay an invisible spiritual warfare, where their situations would demonstrate God’s power and glory. This understanding reveals that suffering often serves as a stage where God displays His faithfulness, not as punishment for sin.
For the contemporary Christian facing trials, these accounts offer profound hope. When struggles come, our first response shouldn’t be to search for guilt in our lives or family history. Instead, we can look for ways God might display His works through our circumstances, knowing our trials might be part of a larger spiritual narrative we don’t yet fully understand.
We explore this idea further in our article discussing the nature and purpose of suffering in the context of Romans 8:28.
What Then Is a Generational Curse?
A generational curse, properly understood in biblical context, refers to the consequences of sin that can affect subsequent generations – not as unavoidable spiritual punishments inherited from ancestors, but as breakable patterns of behavior and consequences that cease when individuals turn to God. While the Bible acknowledges that sins can have generational impacts (think of Adam and Eve’s sin), it simultaneously emphasizes that through Christ’s redemption, believers are completely liberated from both inherited and acquired curses.
Complete Freedom in Christ
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross brings total liberation from all curses – whether inherited or acquired. When Jesus declared “It is finished” (John 19:30), He announced complete victory over every type of bondage, including generational curses.
This means:
- You can walk in freedom regardless of your ancestry
- You don’t need special rituals to break ancestral curses
- Christ’s blood provides complete redemption
- Your identity in Christ supersedes your family history
Breaking Free: The Power of Christ’s Redemption
The overarching biblical narrative emphasizes that while sin’s consequences can affect multiple generations, God provides a way of escape through repentance and faith. The prophet Ezekiel proclaimed God’s truth:
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son" (Ezekiel 18:20).
Through genuine repentance and faith in Christ, believers can break free from generational patterns of sin. This freedom isn’t just about escaping consequences – it’s about experiencing complete transformation through Christ’s redemptive work. As Paul declares,
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 KJV)
Instead of obsessing over possible generational curses, focus on:
- Celebrating the complete redemption Christ provides
- Walking in the freedom He purchased
- Looking for ways God’s work might be revealed through trials
- Finding purpose in suffering rather than assigning blame
When facing difficulties, remember Jesus’ words about the blind man. Your struggles might not be punishment but opportunities for God’s glory to shine. Rather than carrying the burden of ancestral guilt, embrace the liberty Christ provides.
The story of the blind man teaches us that sometimes suffering serves God’s greater purposes. Like Job, we might be part of a larger spiritual battle. But in all cases, Christ’s sacrifice ensures our freedom from both inherited and acquired curses.
This freedom isn’t something we need to earn or maintain through rituals – it’s our inheritance in Christ. Instead of living under the shadow of generational curses, let’s celebrate the complete victory we have in Jesus, walking in the joy and confidence of His finished work.
Scripture References: John 9:1-3, Exodus 20:5-6, Job 1:1, John 19:30
