We have been sharing in this column much of this year on the reality of new creation and the efficacy of redemption.
Devotion with Erasmus Makarimayi
One issue that remains problematic with many is generational curses. I dealt with it earlier this year and I revisit it, laying out the basic foundation in this instalment. Is a born again believer subject to generational curses?
This is a question many Christians want answers to. There are many schools of thought on this subject. Many of them, if not all of them, support their positions with biblical backing. Based on the understanding that a born again believer is a new creature in Christ, I will unbundle the mystery. It’s the devil’s nature to attack human beings.
Should believers live in constant fear and under bondage?
For purposes of progress, I avoid repeating definition of generational curses but suffice to summarise that there are demonic influences that follow families from generation to generation. Examples are sickness, barrenness, divorce, poverty and many others. There’s general consensus that these evils can attack non-believers and prevail.
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Debate rises on the effect of generational curses on a born again believer. The reality of new creation doesn’t give room for possession of the life of a believer by the devil. Colossians 3:3-4 settles it thus, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” We have dealt adequately with this in previous instalments.
As suggested by the title to this article, the writer subscribes to the view that generational curses have no place in the life of a born again believer walking in renewed mind. Some would say they have seen demons being cast out of believers and view my teaching as unsound. My request is, please follow the teaching to the end. I will get to the bottom of the issue. There are Christians, who may say that they have experienced or are experiencing unfortunate predicaments that befell their forebears. We don’t explain Scripture by human experiences, but we subject human experience to the Scriptures. The devil is a trickster, schemer and liar holding no power.
Before the advent of the new covenant, God told Ezekiel His mind concerning the issue. Ezekiel 18:2-3 reads, “What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.”
I urge you to read the whole chapter and also the chapter before for in-depth knowledge. These verses show that God Himself abolished the notion that children pay for parents’ sins. If the proverb was abolished in Old Testament, why would a New Testament believer bring back the proverb?
The all knowing God spoke fully aware that a day was coming when Jesus was going to pay for all sin. Jeremiah 31:29-30 supports, “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.” A born again believer, therefore, has no business contradicting God, but to simply receive the free gift of redemption. Don’t pay the price of expenses you didn’t incur, Jesus paid the price.
A renewed mind is key to victorious Christian living. After being saved, we need to get the mind of new creation and continue grow therein. Romans 12:2 teaches, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Your thought pattern and process has to align with God’s will according to the Bible. Constant reading of the Bible is vital. Align yourself to and with the truth. Think right and enjoy your redemption. Proverbs 23:7a clarifies, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Grace and peace be multiplied to you. You’re going somewhere.”
All Bible quotations are from the King James Version. Email: feedback@newsday.co.zw Fellowship with Pastor Makarimayi on Facebook and on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAYI. Telephone +263 712 332 632