Do you believe in generational curses? Curse definition; the expression of a wish that misfortune ,evil ,doom befall a person, group ect. I have often wondered why people talking about generational curses speak with conviction, I never felt. I have come to the conclusion there is no such curse pronounced in heaven. Children often make the same mistakes as their parents. The chances of me repeating some of my paternal sins are high ,but not inevitable. God is not a purveyor of injustice. God is just. A passage of scripture that seems to give me assurance that even if there is a curse for the generations. There is hope for those who desire righteousness
. “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.” Ezekiel 18:20 NIV
“In those days people will no longer say, ‘ The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’. Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes-their own teeth will be set on edge. Jeremiah 31:29-30
The result of sin does shift outcomes of people who yet born, but we don’t need to give advantage to the devil by acting like the Israelites of antiquity. Professing curses on people just because of the sins of their forefathers and mothers. The subject of generational curse often comes up when talking in African-American culture. God does promise to punish sin: (Exodus 34:7) God desires repentance. The children who are part of this passage are not doomed just because of the sins. The sin is when they give into the sins of the past generations and thus are judged. This means everyone is going to have to give an account for their own actions even though they were born into sinful families and society.
We all are born in and inclined to sin. The advent of Jesus the Christ was preceded with a message of repentance by John the Baptist. God is not cruel ,but He is just. The fallen nature of mankind fails to execute justice because of unrighteousness. This does not excuse our willingness to rebel against heaven. The generational curse excuse appears to give us excuses for wicked and unrighteous behavior. The emphasis of repentance can help sinners be more receptive to the good news of Jesus Christ. Repentance can also enhance the spiritual life of believers. The black man in America has always been discussed from human view points. Speaking about his brokenness ,and lack ,or of the black community disadvantages moves the focus away from the good news of the Gospel. The tendency to focus on family and society issues can and do inform ,(sinners), black man, but the information is starved without the wisdom of God. Repentance means to change direction and thinking and behavior. God’s will is to draw near to those who repent and draw near the cross of Christ Jesus.
Many black men throughout our history from the least to the greatest have come to know Jesus and his saving power. The living God used them mightily to save others and themselves. The divine power of God’s message does not transfer simply by proximity or relationship. The vessel must be ready to be filled with the new life. How? The vessel must be emptied by repentance and then it can be filled. The family and societal thinking must be emptied so God can fill us with his wisdom.
This emptying or repentance is an process that can be of great benefit to anyone ready to make Jesus their master. God is not going to force us to be filled with His spirit we must empty ourselves and cooperate in being filled with God’s spirit. Many commentary on how to get rid of bad habits and how to change your thought life use the concept of replacing. Many black men will agree with their issues or problems, but making changes once knowledgeable has proven difficult. The knowledge of problems and hinderances must be accompanied with an earnest effort to replace thoughts and behavior that has hindered the change desired.
This is just how our mind(soul) works. What we focus on will be embedded in our subconscious and this becomes a hard wired thought and actions as a result. This can be positive but it often used in unproductive ways. The conversations focus on the negative nearly 3 times more than the positive or practical. Think of your focus like an crab in a barrel. Your focus is just one crab among many in the barrel. You want to get out of the barrel but you see how every time some crab gets on top the others drag him down just before he gets out. You see the problem and you even know the solution but since you are in the barrel with the all the crabs who keep yanking you out you fail to execute your escape. This is what I think talk of generational curse brings. The self evident issues have supernatural solutions. God is asking us will we look to Him for our release from the pot. The crab is acting out of instinct and this is how we are able to keep him in the pot with the rest of his family so we cook him in a well seasoned pot. The natural man is not willing to replace his instinct(worldly thinking ,self reliance), with God’s wisdom, and so he remains a delicacy of the devil and the world. I did see a crab get out of the pot once. Cooking crabs can be tricky. I was dutifully using long tongs to remove the last few crabs from my catch into the pot my Aunt had provided for our feast. I made the mistake of allowing a crab grab hold of my tongs and he managed to get a good enough hold that he was able to get out of the pot. He grabbed hold of the stove and he dragged himself and one other crab clean out the pot. Our focus is much like that crab. We can be aware of our problems and even be aware of how to solve them but until heaven’s wisdom takes preeminence; we will remain bound and shackled to our issues(crabs in a bucket).
Mankind is not a mere animal like a crab, but I think crabs in a pot convey some of our thinking. The crabs holding on to the crabs closest to the top might be cruel, or ignorant but both are operating on instinct. If we keep harping on generational curses, we might be acting just like the crabs holding each other down.
His ways are not our ways,(Isaiah 55:8).
If we only apply our limited human nature to our life we will be much life a crab in the pot. Crabs use their strong claws to live a common crab life. I have caught a few big crabs and marveled at their strength and size but they were eaten along with the rest of the smaller unremarkable crabs. The success of outstanding men in our community is much like the big crabs I eat. They suffer the same fate. The black men who share their insights and successes are needed. The mentors in our community who do share their lives with mentees are second to no one. However, the wisdom needed to guide and set sinners(black men), free must not be tied to any earthly wisdom. The threat of a divinely inspired slave revolt is much more menacing to the slavers than any other inspiration. The issue is generational curse talk indirectly advocates irresponsibility. The focus of our minds must be on freedom and obedience to the wisdom of God in Jesus. The world’s wealth and wisdom can only offer temporary freedom. The Gospel is offering more than happiness in the hereafter. God has made us free indeed. Hallelujah!
“because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit who gives life has set you free from the power of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 NIV
The above verse has changed my thoughts on how our faith in Jesus ought affect our life. There are many verses that tell of the power in which believers have in Jesus. I have often avoided adopting this promise in practical ways into my life. The Lord God helped me grow into what the promise means. My struggles with my sin nature seemed to be always a losing proposal. I grew into a new strength,(over many years)that kept me moving forward in my, (sanctification), becoming Holy process. the strength came from a simple letting go and believing I was helpless without God doing it for me. I know it may seem to simple ,but that is what a new mind and spirit make happen. There are still struggles and I have often gone back to pick up what I left for God to carry, but He is gracious and gives me many more chances. The reason I pick them up is because I lose focus on my life’s purpose. We are here to worship and serve God. The deliverance in Jesus name ought resemble what the Holy Spirit empowers believers with ,(“power over sin and death”).
Black men and all sinners look to Jesus! The curses of the world and the world system are no match to the cross of Jesus Christ. We might find ourselves pulled in all directions but choose the narrow way. Choose obedience to Him. The narrow path can be full of crabs but the voice of the Spirit is trust worthy. He brings true deliverance.
