We are nearing the end of another year. Similar to every year, as we enter into a new year, our hearts are filled with the desire for change and transformation, sometimes in debilitating habits, at other times in our situations. We long to leave behind the burdens of the past and walk into a season of renewal and blessing. Yet, real change can seem difficult and our situations insurmountable.
The truth is genuine change demands action and faith. On 22nd December 2024, Rev Jai Kumar shared in his heartfelt message at Destiny C3 Church, Subang Jaya, that the word of God brings freedom and Hosea 4:6 reminds us of this; “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. Ignorance of spiritual truths can leave us in bondage, unable to experience the fullness of God’s promises.
Scripture often mentions generational curses but they are seldom understood even by God’s people. We see this even in the Biblical record of the Israelites. These curses can take the form of patterns of failure, brokenness, or sin passed down through families yet they are often subtle and when they persist quietly, like a leaking roof, and left unaddressed, they can cause great damage – in our relationships, in our emotional and physical health, in many other aspects.
The good news is that Christ’s redemptive work on the cross (Galatians 3:13) provides the power to break every curse. However, the victory won by Jesus requires active participation on our part to appropriate its benefits.
Learning to Recognize the Problem
Generational curses often manifest as repeated struggles—whether in finances, health, relationships, or other areas. These patterns can leave individuals feeling trapped, unable to move forward. The Bible illustrates this principle in Luke 6:44, where it states, “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” If the root of a tree is unhealthy, its fruit will reflect the same condition.
This pattern holds true even in spiritual matters. Issues such as unforgiveness, rebellion, or idolatry can create a negative inheritance that replicates; it produces after its own kind. Like our genetic DNA passes down family traits from one generation to another, our spiritual DNA can perpetuate cycles of dysfunction. We see this portrayed in the great literary works by William Faulkner but this is also reflected in real life. Rev Jai imparted that understanding this problem is the first step towards freedom.
Such cycles of curses are often opened through spiritual doors created by sin and disobedience. They may stem from our own actions or through an act of our ancestors, yet as mentioned, they can be subtle and remain hidden for years. This is why asking “Where did this begin?” and actively seeking their source is so critical. Without identifying the origin, it becomes nearly impossible to break the cycle.
Faith and Obedience: Keys to Breaking Curses
Throughout the Bible, we encounter countless examples of people who overcame generational obstacles through faith and obedience. The father of faith, Abraham, stepped into his legacy of blessing because he trusted God and obeyed His call (Hebrews 11:8). Faith without action is incomplete. He could have asked God for a blueprint before taking his first step of faith. He didn’t know what to expect in a new and unfamiliar land. Life was comfortable where he was, a place where he had lived for most of his life. But Abraham obeyed instantly. Delayed obedience, or ignoring God’s instructions, can hinder progress and prolong struggles.
This same principle applies to breaking curses. We must confront the patterns in our lives that do not align with God’s Word. This requires repentance – acknowledging and renouncing the sins that opened the door to these curses – and a deliberate decision to walk in a new direction.
Rev Jai shared that while it is true that curses have no legal right to touch us when we are in Christ, there is a difference between legal rights and their reality. For instance, a will is just a legal paper stating the rightful receiver of an inheritance but it requires the receiver to utilise and act on that legal paper. Repentance is not just a feeling; it is an act of faith that breaks the legal right of curses to operate in your life. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” We have the authority to stop the cycle and establish a legacy of blessing for future generations through the blood of Christ and we need to appropriate this by faith.
Steps Towards Freedom
In his message, Rev Jai also outlined steps we can take towards freedom:
- Identify the Problem: Take time to examine your family history. Are there recurring patterns of failure, sickness, or broken relationships? Recognizing these patterns helps pinpoint their spiritual roots.
- Repentance: Confess and renounce the sins of your ancestors and your own actions. Genuine repentance cuts off the legal authority of curses.
- Faith in Christ: Believe in the power of the cross to break every chain. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
- Prayer and Declaration: Speak God’s promises over your life and family. Declare freedom, restoration, and blessings in Jesus’ name.
- Obedience to God’s Word: Walking in alignment with God’s principles ensures His blessings flow into your life. Disobedience, on the other hand, opens doors to curses.
- Seek the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit reveals hidden areas of bondage and empowers you to walk in freedom.
Moving from Curse to Blessing
The cycle of curses as described are not the final word in our lives. We do not need to live in bondage and a never-ending cycle leading nowhere but brokenness and stagnation. We can transcend our environments and surroundings. Through Christ, we can rewrite our family’s story.
The great news is that curses are not the only thing that replicates after its own kind. This pattern holds true in all things, including blessings. Speak life into your families and situations. Choose to walk in faith, repentance, and obedience, and we will position ourselves as vessels through which God’s favor can flow to future generations.
The Bible reminds us in Psalms 1:3 that the righteous are “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” This image reflects the life God intends for us – a life of flourishing, abundance, and impact. However, flourishing requires addressing the roots.
Breaking the Cycle
Consider a family plagued by divorce across multiple generations. Such patterns are not coincidental but often the result of unresolved spiritual issues. For example, a father’s abandonment might sow seeds of insecurity and mistrust, which are then passed down to his children. Breaking this cycle requires tracing the origin, addressing the root cause, and surrendering it to God.
In another case, chronic financial struggles may result from a mindset of scarcity or generational disobedience in stewardship. Addressing this curse involves not only prayer but also adopting biblical principles of giving, diligence, and trust in God’s provision.
Whatever the struggle, the solution begins with identifying the root and surrendering it to Christ. Generational curses lose their power when confronted with the truth of God’s Word and the authority of the cross.
A New Legacy
As we step into this new year, let’s embrace the opportunity to leave behind the baggage of our past. Whether our family has struggled with sickness, financial hardship, or relational turmoil, know that we have the power to change the narrative.
The moment we choose to break the cycle, it ends with us. No longer will the failures of the past define our future. Instead, we will create a new legacy – one of faith, blessing, and abundance – that flows to our children and their children after them.
Rev Jai’s encouragement is that we let the finished work of Christ be our foundation in the coming year. Do not let generational curses dictate your destiny. Through repentance, faith, and obedience, you can walk in the freedom, joy, and victory God has prepared for you. We can step into the new year with confidence, knowing that in Christ, we are blessed, redeemed, and restored.
We would like to thank Rev Jai Kumar and Destiny C3 Church for their hospitality and help throughout the production of this article. We hope the content in this article will be a source of great encouragement and comfort to many readers. Photo of Rev Jai kindly contributed by the Destiny C3 Church.
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