Entry Point Number 4: Family Sin

I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation (Exudos 20:5).

The subject of family sin and generational curses is an extremely complex topic that we will likely discuss in future posts.  Having said that, there are relational experiences evil spirits can use as an entry point for demonic oppression.  In particular, this is a common occurrence in codependent relationships.

According to Yozefu B. Ssemakula,  Satan uses circumstances of life, behaviors, and disease to stick bondage into our families.  In these, we can generally see the behaviors, attitudes, sins or habits that Satan can exploit.  If it shows up twice in a family, there is a high chance that it is a case of family bondage.  Take the case of alcoholic brothers.  Even if their parents do not drink, it is likely that grandparents and/or other ancestors had the same struggles.  It is also likely that descendants will have the same struggle unless the bondage is broken and healing brought to the family. 

Think about the patient in-take form you complete at the physician.  There are a number of questions on the in-take for regarding your family health history; yet, there is very little scientific proof to support a true genetic connection to these patterns.  However, if you think about it in terms of this subject, it starts to make sense.  All of us have had ancestors that committed serious sins against God.  Regardless of whether they repented before the Lord, there is still consequences for the sin that must be settled (2 Sam 12:13-14).  Too often, the descendants are left to deal with the consequences.

How are we to respond to these situations in our family?  The invitation is to turn it over to God and allow His mercy to wipe away the consequences and to break the family bondage that may exist between generations.  Too often, however, we try to maintain control of these aspects of our lives.  Therefore, the consequences continue to challenge us and never seem to improve.

A spiritual director can help sort through the various behaviors, attitudes, sins and habits in order to discern where a family bondage situation may exist.  They can also be a guide in learning to accept the consequences for what they are, mentor in how to surrender the situation to the Lord, and provide a level of accountability when attempting to take control back. The spiritual director can then assist in renouncing spirits, renouncing breaking unhealthy relationship spiritual connections, and praying for family/generational healing.