Today's Prompt: Skull**
The first thing I thought of when I saw this prompt was pirates.
His name was Jan Janszoon, king of the Barbary Pirates. He converted to the Muslim religion and became a passionate missionary, often killing Christians who refused to convert. He is my 10th great-grandfather. His daughter-in-law is considered Manhattan's first and most famous prostitute, and she is my 9th great-grandma.
But there are far more kings and queens, preachers and politicians, soldiers and farmers in my ancestry. Many loved the Lord and did their best to live a life pleasing to Him.
So what sticks? Does a generational curse from a nasty pirate out way a generational blessing from an evangelistic preacher who fought for freedom? I hope not!
The concept of generational curses comes from the Testament in Exodus, which says God visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children and their children to the third and the fourth generation.
However, Deuteronomy 7:9 promises to bless the children of those who love him for a thousand generations.
That's a little better. The curse lasts for up to four generations, and the blessing for a thousand generations. So the curses from that pirate and prostitute have run out. But what of the more recent sinners? Am I being cursed for their actions?
Ultimately the answer lies in Galatians 3:13-14.
Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14 AMP
Jesus took all our curses when He died for us on the cross. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we say goodbye to any generational curse that is due to us. At the same time, we can receive the blessings. The only qualification is faith.
That is not to say we don't have to deal with baggage from our parents. If we learn sinful behavior from our parents and replicate it, that doesn't mean we are cursed. Likewise, if we copy their godly behavior, doesn't mean we are blessed. Every man must account for himself, and we reap what we sow.
There are also diseases and genetic disorders that are passed through the generations. I deal with one myself. Familiar Tremors are caused by an altered gene from a parent, my mother in my case. Fortunately, this disease is not dangerous, just annoying. While it is frustrating (especially when I eat soup), I am not cursed. I have been redeemed from any and all curses and am healed by the stripes of Jesus. My body just needs to get on the same page as the Word. Until then, I'll rely on the Holy Spirit to help me and wear a bib.
So, even though some of your ancestors may have been depraved sinners, you don't bear a curse from them. Likewise, your blessing doesn't rely on the ones who were righteous. When you are born again, you inherit a new family and bloodline from Jesus. There are no curses associated with it, just blessings.
Galatians 3:14 says that through Jesus, we can receive the blessing of Abraham by faith. Deuteronomy 28 tells us what they are. I have a free printable you can print out and use to claim them by faith. Click here for your copy.
**This post is part of the #write28days Challenge, writing and posting EVERY DAY in February
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1 comment
The best most needed reminder today!! Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself.
Thank you so much