Several weeks ago, we discovered a leak in our basement. After a few different plumbers checked out the problem, it was discovered that there was a tremendous amount of black mold under the floor in our son’s room and in the basement bathroom. There was even mold growing up the walls, behind the cabinets and shower. As the problem was assessed, we realized this issue started years and years ago and had gone undetected by the previous owners. The issue was most likely caused by some lazy remodeling work and has been negatively affecting everyone who has lived in the house since.
It was determined that the entire bathroom had to be demolished, as well as the flooring and half of the walls in my son’s room. This was the only course of action that would correct this issue and ensure there would be no future damage.
Throughout those weeks, I had been studying generational curses. As I studied and watched the basement issue unfold, I couldn’t get past the parallels. Whether you’ve considered this topic before or not, I’m sure you would agree that there are many issues from past generations that plague us today. A few examples include alcoholism, abuse, divorce, racism, apathy, sexual immorality, poverty, and emotional issues.
The Bible speaks clearly about generational curses. Exodus 20:5 says,
“For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the father’s sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”
In this verse, God describes Himself as a jealous God. This doesn’t mean He is jealous of the idols people worship, but instead, it means He is jealous for His children. He knows what is best for us and He doesn’t want us to settle for less.
This verse also says that a person’s sins add up upon the generations that follow. The version above says, “punishing children for their father’s sins to the third and fourth generations.” Other translations use the word visiting instead of punishing, which better reflects the original meaning. The original word, paqadh, means to inspect, review, or take a census.
Because God is omniscient or all-knowing, He is able to look beyond one person and see the effects sin will have on the generations to follow. He can inspect and count those who will be adversely affected by the sins of their parents. God doesn’t punish the generations that follow a sinner, but He knows that children often follow in the footsteps of their enslaved parents. He knows that sin brings a curse along with it that impacts the generations that follow.
We can be sure that God does not punish people because of their parent’s and grandparents’ sins. Ezekiel 18:19 says, “What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.”This verse proves that turning from the sins of our fathers and doing what is right will stop the negative effects, or the curse, caused by the sin.
Exodus 20:6 says, “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” This verse teaches us that our love and obedience to God will be a blessing to a thousand generations that follow us.
As the demolishing began in our basement, I wanted to take part in knocking down the damaged walls and cleaning out the mold. I wanted to witness the deconstruction of the mistakes made in the past so that a new, solid, correctly built, clean foundation can be built, allowing the basement to be a blessing to all who enter our home.
As I slammed that bat against the walls, I thought about the sins of generations past, those known and unknown, that have affected my family and me. I remembered the verses I’ve studied revealing that it only takes one willing, determined person to destroy the cycle of generational sin and raise up a new, faithful generation.
And I prayed, “Lord, Let it be me!”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Tori Shaw
Featured Image by Avinash Kumar on Unsplash
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