What Is a Generational Curse?
Written by Barry Bennett

How often have we heard Christians talk about the need to break generational curses? Much of what has been taught on this subject actually borders on unbelief. Believers who focus on curses often do not understand the realities of the finished work of the Cross.

People are not defeated in life because they are cursed as much as they are perishing for lack of knowledge of the Lord.

This is why Jesus said, “Go and teach,” not “Go and break curses.” It is the truth that sets us free—not mystical deliverance sessions or ritualized attempts to undo what Christ has already finished.

Jesus has already been made a curse for us and has already blessed us, as Galatians 3:13 makes clear. In addition, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting man’s trespasses against him (2 Corinthians 5:19). God is not holding sins or curses against anyone.

What many people today refer to as generational curses are actually the works of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19–21:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.”

These manifestations of the flesh should not surprise us. We are products of a fallen society—its culture, false religions, customs, morals, family patterns, and learned behaviors. If parents were alcoholics, there may be a tendency for children to follow that pattern, though many do not. If anger and wrath were present in the home, those tendencies may carry over into adulthood, yet in many cases they are rejected.

Rather than calling these generational curses, we should recognize them as strongholds that must be torn down through the renewing of the mind. Once again, it is truth that sets us free.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5)

As born-again sons and daughters of God, we are fully equipped to defeat the works of the flesh by the Spirit and cleanse our minds from patterns of the past. Through willful choices to embrace God’s ways, words, thoughts, and actions, old strongholds are replaced. Over time, new spiritual patterns are established, and freedom from past bondages becomes our daily experience.

Old Testament references to generational curses were spoken to Israel under the Law and applied specifically to those who hated God (see Deuteronomy 5:8–10). These passages describe the consequences of sin under the Law—not the reality of new-creation believers in Christ.

Scripture tells us plainly:

“Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13)

There are no curses in the Kingdom of God—only promises that are “yes” and “amen.”

— Barry Bennett

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