Freedom comes when we confess the ungodly patterns, ask God for forgiveness and then walk in obedience by consistently choosing His ways.
This was a devotion that I receive weekly. Now I have done much to restrain myself of speaking too critically about Tony Evans. I will let you also know I sent a letter to Dr. Evans questioning his affiliations with Creflo Dollar and Eddie Long. As you can conclude very easily, I did not get a response. I want to say, I think this is the straw that has broken the camel’s back for me. The erroneous and heretical teaching of generational curses should never and I do mean never be taught by someone with the theological and pastoral background of Dr. Tony Evans.
I know I will get some defenders here, so if you have some genuine concerns we can discuss this in love; however I will only discuss this issue. I will not talk about the great things he does, or the great churches he planted, I want to discuss how this made it to print. I am open and will prove from the scriptures that this teaching is as dangerous to the body of Christ as any other doctrine out there. I am deeply saddened by such a “devotion” Dr. Evans has officially fallen off of his horse!!!!
hi lionel,
i personally don’t believe in curses or hexes but i do believe certain things happen in some families for generations- haven’t you noticed this? i don’t know which part of tony’s message broke the straw for you but i always felt that mentioning generational curses wasn’t about literal curses. are you saying that similar problems don’t befall members of a family when they repeat the same patterns of behavior as their parents and grandparents? for ex. if a mother on welfare births children who in turn end up on welfare and so on for a few generations, that we can conclude that this is a cycle of poverty? what’s wrong with saying this?
hey lionel,
what happened to my comment? i asked a couple of questions pertaining to the tony evans post and it disappeared. angela
Hey Angela,
1. Yes, I do believe certain patterns of behavior are easily passed from one generation to another, womanizing, promiscuity, abuse, and drug addiction are a few I know that has been rampant in my family.
2. Yes the same patterns do befall, if the same behaivor (which is sin) are practcied.
3. Yep I do believe a mother who raises her children to depend on welfare versus hard work, integrity and promoting education will produce children that are bound to be on welfare and the such.
4. Now this is the million dollar question. Let me answer this for you.
A. The way generational curses are described today has nothing to do with modeling and practice and is heavily attached to NATURE OR DNA. This is where we break with such teaching. Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar and other such teachers teach that a generational curse is passed down by bloodline not by example. So in other words, a kid adopted may still carry these sins and is powerless against them into an adoptive family.
B. This teaching is based on a scripture in the Old Testament about God visiting the sins of the father down to the 3 or 4th generation (Deut 5:9). This teaching in other words leaves a person helpless against sins of their forefathers unless they somehow repent (of someone elses sin) and break the curse.
1. This leads to me asking does God then create the
curse or is it the devil?
C. Finally lets ask ourselves something. Think about these theological terms: Born Again (John 3), Adoption (Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 1) and New Creation (Romans 6, 2 Corinthians 5). To say I have a generational curse is to say that Christ’s atoning work on the cross was insufficient. To say I have a generational curse is to minimize the power and authority of God, by saying the Holy Spirit is not all powerful and has no authority in bringing sanctification power in the life of the believer.
A genarational curse is a heresy taught by WoF preachers to cut holes in the pockets of their congregants and follwers. It is a sensational teaching that reduces the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit to mere spectators and not all powerful. Finally it gives a pass to those who are in sin, instead of dealing with indwelling sin cause by the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life” it becomes daddy’s and mamma’s fault. Instead of the doctrine of original sin the weight is laid on my parents. Instead of Christians being held responsible and acknowledging their refusal of the Lordship of Chirst, I can just point to picture on the wall of grandaddy and say it is all his fault. That is why I have a problem with it Angela, hopes this helps.
Perhaps it’s just me, but it seemed to me that it may be benefical to clarify some of the things in your post.
For example,
How does teaching generational curses reduce the work of Christ/Holy Spirit to spectators? In many places where I’ve heard of it, they’re promoted to be the ones involved in revealing those things to people, leading them to trust in Him and transforming them regarding it…..
Also, for many believing it, I’ve not seen them necessarily make the leaps in thinking that “I’M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SIN” or “I JUST CAN’T HELP IT OR CHANGE”. Many have acknowledged their own refusal of the Lordship of Christ and unwillingness to submit to the Holy Spirit as the result of their lives being “cursed” ……and even regarding the terminology itself, it may be beneficial to define how the term itself is used. Not every WOF teacher (or even other teachers from ALL kinds of DENOMINATIONS) believes the same when using the term…..but again, that’s just me…
Thanks, though, for the other things you clarified in your post. I definately agree…….to hear people do as your describing is akin, IMHO, to others many times claiming “THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT” whenever they’re tempted to fall into sin……and that simply will not do.
Even if one were to make the argument that children are BOUND TO REPEAT THE MISTAKES OF THEIR CHILDREN 100% OF THE TIME (WITH NO HOPE EVEN WHEN IN CHRIST……), I think that many things should be clarified. Granted, there may be things that we in our flesh may be INCLINED TO MORE NATURALLY as a result of what our parents did……but the issue of GOD’S POWER IS MORE THAN ABLE TO OVERCOME THAT.
Surely, if crack babies—–born with a bent toward something damaging — have grown to overcome the attraction of drug usage even though their mothers were involved in it and they suffered as a result, then claiming “generational curses” as the backdoor whenever sin comes up will not do. Heck, even in Studying the Book of I-II Kings, it can be seen that people were not NECESSARILY DESTINED TO REPEAT THE SINS OF THEIR FATHERS.
For example, despite how WICKED MANASSEAH WAS AND HOW HIS ACTIONS HAD GRAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE NATION OF JUDAH (by which even the innocent suffered, despite how his GRANDFATHER WAS KING HEZEKIAH—- A GODLY MAN—AND THEREFORE SHOULD’VE BEEN UNDER THE GENERATIONAL BLESSING if that was ALWAYS TRUE THAT THE PARENTS DOING RIGHT WAS GENETIC 100%), JOSIAH did not repeat his father’s mistakes. When he heard the Word o of the Lord and repented, God was merciful and CHANGED HIS LIFE (II Chronicles 29-35)
HE WAS NOT DESTINED TO REPEAT HIS FATHER’S MISTAKES WITHOUT QUALIFICATION, despite how those mistakes had ramifications for his generation.
This, IMHO, is very relevant to me……for I come from a bad history myself regarding my father…..and not surprisingly, though I NEVER KNEW HIM for 18 yrs, many of the same traits he had I ended up manifesting myself and wondering why. When I met him & realized this, it honestly freaked me out…..and I feared that I would become just like him.
However, though I was inclined toward the same specific things he was at times and I came to square with that, I was comforted by the fact that I WAS IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Apart from His working in my life and making me aware of things in my life contrary to his word, I would repeat the same mistakes……..but that is not the case for me. By his might I am transformed…..
But only as I remain in Him (i.e. fellowship, obediance, faith in HIS WORK/WHO HE IS).
Speaking from personal experience, I’ve been in “de-cursing” sessions (though there were many times when I was a bit confused about things)…….and IMHO, regardless of any noble intentions or sincere desires (which God is able to work through regardless, as many people did so and they’re truly living passionately in love for CHRIST), Any prayers/incantations done as an end in themselves or treated as if they’re the solution means nothing….
and honestly….they often seem to COMPLICATE THINGS FURTHER FROM THE SIMPLE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL THAT SALVATION IS FOUND IN THE POWER/BLOOD OF CHRIST AND DAILY TRUSTING/RELYING ON HIM)…….. for any area of my life not submitted to Him will not be fruitful (“cursed”, if one wishes to say, John 15, Romans 8, Galatians 5:16-25) AND those things which may come naturally for us (i.e. womanizing, promiscuity, abuse, and drug addiction) will be that much easier to fall into.
The wages of sin (what you get when you choose to work for it) is simply DEATH,,,,,,,,
As another wisely said on the issue, WHETHER believing in a generational curse or not, the CURE FOR ALL THINGS is FOUND IN faith in Christ and a life consecrated to Him (Romans 12:1-2)……but DIAGNOSIS PROCEDDS CURE…..and without a proper understanding of how sin often spreads AND THAT WITHOUT CHRIST YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCES effects as if it were cursed, hey…..
If anyone’s interested, I did a post on the issue (though it tackles the issue from a different angle—-specifically, the angle of if living in the flesh/choosing sin is “cursed” and a Christian has the option of submitting to it, then is it possible that a Christian can end up submitting to being “cursed” unless they choose to be in Christ?)
http://emissary7.wordpress.com/2008/01/07/christians-do-not-sin-at-all-and-i-thought-i-heard-it-all/
Hi,
I hate to say this, but Tony has bitten the apple. He should know better, and probably does, but I guess it doesn’t matter much to him anymore.
Great post Lionel!
Phil
Thanks for the insight Emmissary. I appreciate the clarity you provided in the post. God bless.
Brother Phil you and I both know this, but you know what is funny many seminary trained (DTS in specific) and other guys who have been influenced by Dr. Evans refuse to see his slippery slope down unorthodoxy and his affiliations with Creflo, Fred Price, T.D Jakes and Eddie Long as a problem. This is what causes the greatest pain brother. No one wants to call a spade a spade.
If interested, Brah,
You could always tackle the issue with EVANS from the perspective of how having a seminary degree/formal education at an institute of some sort is necessarily a guarantee that one is/will be faithful to the Word of God (and even more relevant seeing that many of the seminaries out there, even those considered orthodox, have been guilty of teaching things CON TRARY to what the Word of God says).
This is something I think should be adressed…..for the SAME SCENARIO happened with those who were LEADERS back in the day. Despite any theological training or knowledge they had as Rabbis/Teachers, that did not make them excempt ffrom being in ERROR REGARDING THE SCRIPTURES……
and if nothing else, Jesus had to check them on the issue MULTIPLE TIMES when He came in town and they kept questioning/challenging Him with all kinds of questions (Matthew 21-23).
Thanks for bringing up the post, Brah…
[...] from “Black & Reformed Ministries”) http://www.thinkchristians.blogspot.com/ http://blackandreformedministries.com/2008/01/04/dr-tony-evans-teaches-on-generational-curses/#comme... [...]
The entire post can be found at http://bereanbiblebaptistchurch.org/resources/ex.php
In Exodus 20:4-6 the subject is idolatry. Regarding those who commit idolatry, we learn that God would visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Him. Notice, the text says “generations of those who hate Me.” Therefore, we see that God would punish those who imitate their fathers’ idolatrous actions. In other words, there are sinful patterns that children see in their parents that they often times replicate in their own lives. It is not that God has placed a curse on the people. It is not as if the children are obedient to God but God still punishes them because of their parents’ disobedience. The point is that they are idol worshipers just like their parents were. In fact, verse 6 shows that God shows mercy to those who love Him, irregardless of their parents’ disposition towards God. The contrast that we have in verses 4 and 5 is between those who hate God and those who love Him. The reason for it affecting the third and fourth generations is that the effects of idol worship is that it leads to children becoming accustomed to it, and they often times replicate it in their own lives.
Other passages to consider are listed below.
Deuteronomy 24:16: Moses states that fathers would not be put to death for their children’s sins and children would not be put to death for the fathers’ sins. Notice that he says, “A person shall be put to death for his own sin.” Ezekiel 18:2 This passage – in fact the entire chapter – shows that God never agreed with the false saying of the people: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” In other words, rather than taking responsibility for their own actions, they attributed their sinful ways to their parents. However, notice that God said that they were to no longer use that proverb in Israel. He went on to say that the soul who sins shall die and that the one who is lawful and right shall live (Ezekiel 18:4-9). Jeremiah 31:27-30: We see the same thing here. Every one dies for his own iniquity. If one “eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.”
Dr. Evans is off here. i have some concerns myself with his teaching on this and his affilation with Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, Ken Ulmer,etc. I used to live in Dallas for some time and he has a big following. I know of a associate pastor from his church who started his own so I might not be surprised if he has the same stance on this.
I think that this is a difficult topic but as a BSW/LCSW and counselor of alcohol and drugs. There could be something more to this and with the devil trying to destroy people it all stands to reason. I have seen many children that never knew their biological mother and their mother did not know who the father of their baby was and you can see so many of the same personality characteristics in these children. You could also have a parent who is a alcoholic but the child never drinks. But has at least three or more characteristics of the father that drinks, they may even act like the dad when he drinks. So what do we say, enviormental or generational. We need to be very aware of what the Holy Spirit is saying and be diserning about these type of things.
true tony evans has fallen off considerably. i used to live in dallas and know of several people who adore him still. he is well respected in the DFW metroplex. If he is this way with td jakes, fred haynes, ken ulmer, noel jones, creflo dollar, eddie long, fred price & the rest of the legion of doom, then those brothers who came out under his mentorship are probably the same way with these cats. Evans has to be called out, plain & simple. i kknow I will get dirty looks once I return to Dallas later this month. I do not care.
I was not aware Evans has sermons on reversing demonic, financial, social, career curses,etc. He is on the ballot for the apostate hall of fame. God will hold Tony Evans to a higher degree that the average Christian.
My view, First why is the so called prosperity gospel false, the enemy seems to love twisting peoples mind on what the gospel really is after all thats his real purpose to blind people from understanding the gospel, here are a few things to consider? what did jesus come to give ? abundant life, what does that consist of?does God care for the spirt only and not for our entire being? Our everyday life, what did Jesus mean by saying seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you, and the apostle paul says he that spareth not his own son why shall ye not allso give us all things, there are many more scripture which speak to this, but it seems to me the devil glee when we push truth to extremes, some only stop at the cross, at death not undestanding we were also raised with him, and we are more than conqeueros now, im aware that false teachers, as was in pauls day love there own belly and are eneimies of the cross,philphians, but he also says God gave us good things to enjoy,some live in the past and stop at a luther or a calvin we are greatful for the reformation and what God did then, and i believe in justification by faith alone in christ alone, ect, but it seems some part of the church wants to pitch permanent tents in the wilderness, the church is and is suppose to be allways marching forth not being stangnant, in tradition, but know that God does give revealation base on the written word as he did with the reformers let us not throw out the water with the baby, peace
My only problem is sale this to those in Sudan, India, Iraq, and other impoverished areas and tell me. Did God come for them to have the Abundant Life also? Does Matthew 6:33 apply to them? If so why are they starving everyday? Ah, because they have the true bread and the true water. Which when one eats they never hunger or thirst again! What A Mighty God we serve!
I lived in the DFW area for 13 years, attending a Friday morning men’s Bible study at Prestonwood Baptist (prior to their move to the outrageous megaplex). Each January or February, Tony Evans would come to this meeting and speak for 4 to 8 weeks in a row. The attendance quadrupled. I started supporting Evans’ financially, as his messages were solid.
In 1998, I moved to Houston and kept up my support.
Last year, I wrote him about sharing a platform with TD Jakes – got a letter in which Evans stated he was personally confronting Jakes about his modalism and prosperity pimping. I wrote back and asked him to be aware of the implicit endorsement that comes with sharing the stage with anyone.
This June, I wrote Evans about putting Tony Campolo on the stage for the annual church conference Evans hosts (now called “Kingdom Agenda Conference”. I explained why I consider Campolo a false teacher to be avoided – with references. Haven’t heard anything in return.
sigh
Will likely drop my support of him and his dispensational self very soon.
Hey brother Sbrogden,
1. He has also had John Hagee’s wife at this years woman conference
2. Had Eddie Long teach at the leadership conference
3. Shared the pulpit with Price, Dollar and others affiliated with them.
I can continue but I will degress.
Its a sad day.
I recently moved to Houston from the LA area. I had not heard Dr. Evans except for one time previously many years ago and he “seemed” at the time to be a sound biblical expositor of Gods word. Recently I listened to a radio broadcast of his show and wanted to hear the entire message. I “stumbled” upon this site as I was searching online and was completely apalled to find out that he teaches such error and has become complicit with the ministries of the WOF (eastern mystical, hocus pocus, magical incantation) heretical teachers by sharing the pulpit and exposing other false doctrine such as “generational curses”. The greedy gospel and other WOF heresies are very seductive. Satan has been at this for a long time, but we are not ignorant of his devices. And a man with the theological training that Dr. Evans has (many once upon a time orthodox institutions are becoming nothing but liberal training grounds for heresey) should be aware of them as well. I guess the apostacy continues……
Thank you Brotha Woods and the rest of you faithful servants for standing and contending earnestly for the faith once for all delivered unto the saints!
In His grip!
I believe all curses are broken in Christ on the cross (Galatians 3:13-14) and He became a curse for us (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). I agree that certain generational tendencies can be passed down but not because of curses, blessings, or genetics but out of habits. Poor habits such as smoking, drinking, etc. can be passed down by example and not simply because of Satan. While Satan uses these “curses” in a persons life, he did not make them do it.
Good post.
In response to the persons who do not believe in generational curses, the bible has made it clear that the sins of the parents will have effect on the children up to third and fourth generation. Also, is vital that you research the scriptures on curses from genesis to revelation. Is listed and mentioned multiple times
If you or your husband continue to dwell in a sinful lifestyle, you are setting up your children up for failure or struggle in the future. Is like boomerang that comes back and will continue to come until that cycle is broken. Jesus said that this kind can only come out or go but by fasting and prayer.
There are circumstances in individuals’ life that are linked to a specific force i.e. stronghold it will take prayer and fasting and full commitment to God and obedience to His word to break free from those things.
There are families today, their daughters will never remain in marriage or get married, I mean this are nice people but there are stronghold resisting that family marital destiny. Some family have pattern of destructive behavior that keep them down.
Believe it or not curses are real. Also, you have to know that words are spirit and things that will take form in the physical world. If that spoken word is not cast out it will manifest what it was send it to do either to person or in reverse to the one that spoke it. I believe when you repent and resist the devil those curses are watch away by the power of God’s love.
Is not about the person preaching about curses. I believe this topic need to preach in churches so that people can be set free.
New Child,
Here is a couple of verses in Eze 18. Can you tell me how you deal with these verses?
“19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. 20 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”
GREAT WORK LW7!!!!!!! Kep contending for the faith. Peace!
Thanks Iceman! I think this is dangerous to the body of Christ!
I am amaze at how easy it is for you all to tear each other down and the problem you na sayers have is that you are all on a ego trip. First stop giving power to the devil by attacking each other, you calling a spade a spade is just for you to appear rightiuos “love your brother not to discuss them on the high way. Secondly let me tell you there is such a thing as generational cure and those who are free are those who have the sence to seek god in breaking it.
You should concentrate on the generational curse of the black man whose life style seen rigged with inevtable and obstacles. many of which is generational. The sin is yours but the curse of the sin was here before you get here and if you do not break it you will it will take you out of here. You cannot fight the evedence, just do your research.
WOW WOW i thought Hank Hannegraf was the only one against jakes and the crew, i stand corrected; do we have any other black preacher out there that’s preaching the word god? somebody we can all have access to? i don’t hear about a lot of the white preacher getting dumped like this, i need yall to break it down for me……PEACE
Well, I think searching the word of God is key here. Some things are true whether we understand or believe them or not. Debating within the kingdom of God is definitely not the answer. Instead, I think everyone would be better served by seeking God for wisdom, insight, discernment, and understanding as we read his word. For it is written: seek and you will find. The incorruptible word of God really is not debatable; it is the final authority. If we seek God diligently, He promises he’ll reveal mysteries hidden just for us. God Bless!
Though this was almost posted a year ago here is my take.
Generational curse is impossible for a Christian to experience.
Jesus became a curse for us. He broke every curse.
The proponents of this false doctrine say something like this:
“you have to go through your family history and find out what grandma and grandpa and ucle Vito and Uncle Tony were into and then denounce it in the name of Jesus”. That is simply hog wash.
I was at a mens retreat where they had us do this and write down all the history of family sins and then confess them and repent of them. How Could I repent of sins that are not mine? Ridiculous!!
They believe that this is thier validity for this doctrine.
Exodus 20:5
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
1. The Curse is not from the Devil but from God.
2. The Curse is only upon those who HATE GOD
3. Blessing is promised here for those who Love God.
Question? How can a redeemed Christian who Loves God fall under this curse? Not withstanding the fact that Jesus became a curse for us and bore all our sins on the cross.
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
Exodus 5 was an OT Curse. I am a NT Believer. Jesus Redeemed me from the Curse.
But God rebuked the childeren of Isreal for this very misrepresentation of this concept in Ezekiel 18.
Ezekiel 18 1-4
1The word of the LORD came to me: 2″What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.
God was basically saying: What is your problem people? Why are you going around saying that the children are suffering and paying the penatly for the fathers sin. Do you think I would actually punish your children for your sin?? What kind of God do you think I am? As I surely Life you will never sing this stupid song again. The Soul that sins, Shall Surely Die. Each of you will die for your own sins and nobody elses.
Stop Buggin!
Not sure if God really said Stop Buggin but I say to all those who twist the scriptures and misrepresent God as being unjust for punishing the innocent for the sins of the guilty STOP BUGGIN.
The only innocent one that was ever punished for the guilty was Christ and He willingly offered Himself to be the guilty on our behalf.
STOP BUGGIN!
Steve
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (KJV)
Unfortunately, I keep hearing of how dangerous it is to teach about generational curses. However, it is more dangerous to put so much engery into tearing down those who are called to preach the gospel. “Touch not mine annointed and do my prophets no harm”. Some sins are bigger than you and perhaps you should pray for wisdom on any sins or strongholds you may have in your life. You may be suprised that the origin may go back.
To those who hold to this doctrine of generational curses being valid in a believers life; one question: If it is necessary for these curses to be broken, why are we not once given instruction about this in the New Testament?
Forget how it made to print, I actually heard that sermon on my local station while I was jogging. Because of how much I respect Dr Evans, I was really trying to understand & make sense of what he was saying. Then I was like…holdup, why I am trying to force his words to fit with what I know to be the inspired word of God? I know he that knew no sin became sin for me so that I could be the righteousness of God… so both can’t be true..I mean how can I be saved to the utmost and still under generational curse?
It’s strange that I saw this post, because as a new believer that really was something that confused me at a very turbulent time in my life. Dont laugh, but I was actually starting to wonder if God was just punishing me for sins my mother had committed.
All I know is every time I hear Dr. Tony Evans when I am scanning the radio, the radio stops there.
He is always inspiring and saying what I feel most of our people need to be hearing. Having said that I can by no means claim to be an expert on religion or the bible I am far from my spiritual maturity. So I won’t argue with what your saying. (LOL, I guess I probably shouldn’t even be posting here, if not sorry)
I just wanted to say I have heard a few pastors that I didn’t really feel. Dr Evans seems to be doing the work to me.
So what I am saying basically is that he is reaching people(namely me) who might not otherwise listen a lot of preaching. So I think GOD is using him.
In fact I found your post doing a google search for his site to recommend someone else listen to his sermons because she is a young lady needing guidance and she needs to hear some of the sermons that I have heard Dr Evans speak on.
I can’t believe all of this division in the body… It’s sickening… It’s discouraging. We will disagree on scripture because of our human frailty. HOWEVER, if doctrine that we disagree on is non-essential, I think we should chill. As long as we all agree on the death, burial, ressurrection, deity, humanity, triunity, and atoning work of Christ, I think we’ll be okay….
We need to soend this same amount of energy examining our own lives, asking God to search our hearts, and reveal to us on a personal level the areas of sin in our lives so that we can respent and surrender these areas to the Lordship of Jesus Christ…
Let’s focus on us rather than throw another believer under the bus because we don’t agree with them…
None of us are all that and I guarantee you that somewhere in all our supposed theological knowledge there is some piont of doctrine where we ourselves are missing the mark…
May we all grow in grace and the knowledge of our God and Lord Jesus Christ….
The problem Barryboy is that we don’t agree on the extent of the atonment. The atonement that I believe in removes all of the curses! Does yours? Anyone who embraces some form of generational curse in the same vein does not recognize the fullness of the new covenant, that makes us a new creation, with new hearts, adopted into a new family.
If you think this isn’t important, go to a church where people are at the “alter” trying to be delievered from some curse. The scriptures says “Christ became a curse for us”! So this isn’t semantics friend this is a deadly doctrine that robs the saints of the fullness of the New Covenant and all Christ purchased for them.
Hello. I would like to greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let me start off by saying I do believe in generational curses. What I have gathered from reading the comments above is that first off, there is confusion over the word “curse”. In the old testament, to be cursed, was to be powerless under the negative consequences of the spiritual realm. (one of the many examples is Joshua Ch. 7 where the sin of Achan cursed Israel and killed his family) Now lets fast-forward to the New Testament and modern times. Being cursed still means to be under the negative consequenes of the spiritual realm, but we are no longer powerless. Jesus’ blood frees us, although curses still exist, and are unfortunately successful.
I compare this to the closely related example of Christ death freeing our bondage to sin. Although we (christians) are freed, many of us are still slaves to sin because we are unaware of our freedom in Christ and have failed to acknowledge and confess our sin. In this way, Christ blood did not do away with generational curses, however it is all we need to overcome them. Once a person becomes saved they have all they need to overcome a generational curse, but I believe they still have to acknowledge it and bring it before the Lord, much like we must do with sin.
19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. 20 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”
This passage, when taken in context (read the whole chapter is referring to the direct consequences of sin. (v. 30 I will judge everyone according to his ways). Whatever YOU do, YOU will be judged for, no one else. Understood. Lets us not confuse this with generational curses. Again I define someone who is cursed as being ‘under the negative consequences of the spiritual realm’. BASED ON EZEKIEL 18 (all verses), A father will be judged for his own sins. The son will not be judged for sins committed by the father, only his own. A GENERATIONAL CURSE DOES NOT CHANGE OR INTERFERE WITH THIS TRUTH. A GENERATIONAL CURSE, WHEN PRESENT, INCLINES THE SON TO STRUGGLE IN THE AREAS THE FATHER STRUGGLED. ALTHOUGH THE SON’S ACTIONS ARE HIS OWN, HE WILL HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY DEALING WITH THE SAME TYPES OF SINS AS HIS FATHER, BECAUSE HIS FATHER’S SIN WAS BLATANT AND IGNORED; NEVER BROUGHT BEFORE THE LORD AND CONFESSED. THAT IS A GENERATIONAL CURSE. The son will have to acknowledge the curse and bring it before the Lord, so that Jesus’ blood can provide atonement.
JESUS BLOOD DOES NOT REMOVE THE PRESENCE OF CURSES, JUST AS IT DOES NOT REMOVE THE PRESENCE OF SIN. HOWEVER, IT IS ALL WE NEED TO OVERCOME THEM BOTH, PROVIDED WE ASK.
Sin and generational curses are closely related, as I stated earlier, because generational curses come from sin that has been undealt with. Just as Adam’s sinful nature was passed down to all generations after, consequences are passed down to later generations when sin is blatant and ignored. That is why as african americans, so many evils are prevalent in because as a people, we have many sins that are blatant and ignored. I know you all know what I am talking about. That is why the majority of our youth are fatherless and statistically at a disadvantage. Caucasians have generational curses as well (racism, suicide, etc.) These must be addressed.
On a final note, slandering Dr. Evans is incredibly inmature and counter-productive to the Body of Christ. Seperate your major doctrines from your minor doctrines. Dr. Evans is a believer and is doing Christ work. His major doctrines are accurate, as he believes in Christ blood and resurrection. He is teaching the gospel in neighborhoods where no one else will go, to much avail. So to slander him on his minor doctrines is ungodly and devisive. I am by no means saying that he is correct in his dealing with others of questionable integrity. He is a man, who is a sinner like everyone else, and susceptible to satan’s attacks. What I am saying is that we are in no position to judge him; he will be judged by the father when the time comes for his actions. Us slandering a believer does not benefit the body at all. And his teachings on generational curses are accurate…
In Christ
cpeeze
Cpeeze,
Can you please provide me and others whom you are “slandering” with some New Testament exegesis of a generational curse and please I need you to exegete the text I provided on Christ becoming a curse for us and we no longer being under ANY type of curse. Not only that show me one text where a “generational” curse is on any believers anywhere in the bible. You provide a bunch of jargon with no scriptural support. Not to mention in Romans 6 it is CLEAR that we “are no longer slaves to sin” and that all “who are in Christ” has been freed from sin! So this “confessing” stuff does not prove to be biblical but anti-bible! Thanks and please don’t return with more jargon but with biblical support, and really New Testament support of such a curse and needed to confession to be freed!
Under that horrible eisegesis who then can be saved? Let alone break the curse? It sounds worse than Word Faith Theology (although they have used that exact paradigm)!
The only way out is that one needs Evans and those like him to be their “cursebreaker”, which will lead to one “sowing a seed” (money) into their ministry (pocket).
I said about 10 years ago that when T.D. Jakes was blowing up and Tony was losing members (from 10k to 5k), that instead of trusting the Lord, he would emulate what they (Word Faithers) were doing, and it started with his relationship with Ken Ulmer at a time when Ken needed to be rebuked.
cpeeze,
What a bondage to think that one must confess each and every sin one has ever commited in order to be free from the curse of that sin! That says that Christ dying for my sins was not enough, that I must now somehow add to the work of Christ. i suggest you take a good look at Romans chapter 4 and you will read that God no longer imputes our sins unto us. The word impute in the Greek speaks to an accounting for. Remember when the publican prayed in the temple “God be merciful to me a sinner!”; Jesus said it was this man who went down to his house justified before God.
This doctrine of generational curses is contrary to all that is taught in the New Testament. It basically has it’s roots in paganism. Hindus teach that karma (what you did in a past life) is the cause of what is bad in your life and now generational curses say that the bad in our lives is because of what our ancestors did in their past lives. Baloney!