Generation Curse (Pt 1)

There are many heresies within the church today. Probably as many if not more than present during the days of the Early Church. However, rather than coming from one external source, like the Gnostics, modern day heresies usually spring up from within the Bible passages themselves. Some Bible verses are taken out of context, and are easier to spot if someone knows the passage well. However, some verses are actually used correctly, yet nevertheless are still distorted from the Word of Truth.

One such belief is what is known now as the “Generational Curse”. This is taken from Exodus, and is actually still widely believed by Jews today. Some Christian Churches, however, have also adopted this belief. Here’s what it says:

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Ex. 20:4-6)

What it basically says is that if you sin, God will not only punish you for the sin, but all the way down to your 4th generation, which would be your great-great-grandchildren.

The Jews believe that the curse typically manifests itself through debilitating diseases or handicaps. For example, if a Jewish child was born blind, they would say that it is because of a hidden sin that the parents committed, or even grandparents. It was a sign of God’s displeasure with that family. And rather than try to help the young child, they believe that that it is just for the child to live out its natural life with the defect as punishment from God. For who can forgive sins, except God, the Almighty?

Some churches believe this as well. I remember my mother was accused of this once. You see, she has diabetes, which granted, is a hereditary disease. My grandmother had it, and my mom’s brother has it as well. In fact, her diabetes manifested itself every time during her pregnancies with both me and my sister. Obviously, I don’t know what happened when my mom carried me, but I remember my mom checking her blood every night. She had this machine, and she stuck her hand in the hole, and then squeezed a drop of blood out. Then, she would take this strip that had different colors on it, and compare her blood to the colors. The one that closely matched, told her how much blood sugar she had. I had no idea what that machine did, so one time, while my mom was away, I took the machine out and stuck my finger in it. Yeah, let’s just say I’ve learned never to stick my fingers into any machine ever again.

Oops, sorry about that. Bringing it back to the point, someone once confronted my mom and told her, “Your diabetes is a result of something bad your grandfather did.” That was it. No sorry, no hi, just that. And let me tell you, it shook my mom to her being. It made her doubt herself, and doubt her faith. Was her disease a result of something her dad did? When she told me, I couldn’t believe it! One thing, I couldn’t believe this person would dare say such a thing, and the second, I couldn’t believe my mom actually believed her! It was the most preposterous thing I ever heard. In fact, I think I laughed it off. Ha ha ha! Before this gets too long, let me tell you right now, it’s hogwash. But stay tuned for next Thurs for why? Or, you can make a game of it. Figure it out yourself, and if you get it right, umm… I’ll give you a gold star… right on your forehead!