When I hear the phrase “like father, like son,” it is always a judgemental and condemning comment. It is never used in a positive way. Likewise, the same is true for “like mother, like daughter.”

But God did not plan it to be that way, for as Ezekiel 18:1-4 tells us

“The LORD said: Ezekiel, I hear the people of Israel using the old saying, “Sour grapes eaten by parents leave a sour taste in the mouths of their children.” Now tell them that I am the LORD God, and as surely as I live, that saying will no longer be used in Israel. The lives of all people belong to me — parents as well as children. Only those who sin will be put to death.”

John 8:31-36 makes our position very clear with the words of Jesus himself:

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him, ’If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’. They answered Him, We are Abraham’s seed and were never in bondage to anyone. How do you say, You will be made free? Jesus answered them, ’Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin. And the slave does not abide in the house forever, but the Son abides forever. Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed’.”

Though written thousands of years ago, the word has still not got through to the majority of Christians. We keep accepting that suffering as our parents suffered, is normal, is expected, is life.

Jesus has forgiven our sin and set us free!! He paid the price we ought to have paid, but could not and cannot. But not only did He pay for our sins, by being a curse Himself, be broke the curse of sin for us. For us, it does not have to be “like father, like son.” We can change it!!

The practical reality, however, differs drastically from the legal entitlement – the gift of freedom which our God to us. We have the means to be set free, we just don’t or won’t use them. Our personal “Get out of Jail Free” card sits unused in the hands of all Christians. Instead, we continue to copy the bad moral life styles of our parents and ancestors, as if there were no escape. Alcoholics, generation after generation after generation. Wife Beaters, generation after generation after generation. Anger, Depression, Lying, Poverty, Disease, Divorce, Dying young, Jail… this list goes on and on unabated, unstopped and gets passed down, generation by generation. These days, with all the modernist humanist approaches to problem solving of the human condition, we blame others for our own shortcomings. My father was an alcoholic… a wife beater… and so on and so forth, never taking personal responsibility for what we have done. But yet, never able to get out from under the problems, not matter what we do.

The answer is quite simple; it is just that the humanist and scientists are looking in the wrong place. When problems; any problems, physical, moral, ethical, social or personal are repeating generation after generation we are, and our family is, under a Generational Curse. We are suffering from Generational Bondage – we are bond-servants of Satan. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:12 “Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places.” When we realise this, changes can take place quickly. There is light at the end of that very long and very dark, personal tunnel – and He is the light of the Word, Jesus Christ.

Overcoming Generational Curses requires 4 things from us:

1. Recognising that we need help. If we cannot recognise and acknowledge that we need help – help cannot be provided.

2. Become a “born again” Christian. Jesus tells us in John 3:7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

3. Break the Curses. To do this we need spiritual weapons for as Second Corinthians 2:4 says “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” This is why the humanists and scientists will never be able to cure the ills the enemy has caused.
   

4. Retake control of your will. “Say no to drugs” is a great catch phrase and good advice, but is beyond the ability of an addict without the help of God. Jesus can and will help one regain control of one’s will which has been lost to the enemy under the curse.

There are many other teachings and references to external sources for overcoming Generational Curses on this website which explain the process in more detail.

The hardest parts, are recognising and acknowledging help is needed, and then asking for that help.

Heavenly Father,

I come before you as Your child and as a confessed sinner and pray for anyone reading this posting who is under Generational Bondage of any type. Please lead them to an understanding that You love them and that You will remove that bondage and those curse from them and their families, if they will just ask You, as their Lord and God. Help them not to take responsibility for their lives and deeds.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.