Understanding The Curse Of Lawlessness In Families: The Curse Ends Here: How To Break Free From Family Iniquity
Introduction: The Consequences of Lawlessness
In the Scriptures, God makes it clear that obedience to His commandments leads to blessing, while disobedience, or lawlessness, brings about curses. The curse of lawlessness is not only an individual matter but can also affect entire families and generations. This chapter will explore the curse of lawlessness as described in Deuteronomy 28:15-68, how it impacts families, and how Messianic Jewish believers can break free from the generational consequences of this curse.
The Curse of Lawlessness in Deuteronomy 28
Deuteronomy 28 is one of the clearest passages in the Torah outlining the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Moses presents a choice to the Israelites: If they obey God’s commandments, they will experience blessings, but if they disobey, they will face curses. These blessings and curses not only affect individuals but have long-lasting effects on entire families and communities.
“But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God, or be careful to do all His commandments and His statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you.”
(Deuteronomy 28:15)
This verse sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, which describes in great detail the curses that will befall those who turn away from God’s commandments. The curse of lawlessness, as outlined here, is the result of refusing to obey God’s instructions and engaging in actions that violate His laws. This rebellion is considered lawlessness in God’s eyes and invites His judgment upon those who practice it.
The curses described in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 paint a bleak picture:
- Families will suffer disintegration.
- There will be economic hardships and destruction.
- There will be sickness and disease.
- There will be a loss of peace and safety.
- Even the land itself will be cursed.
“The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of mind; and you shall grope at noonday, as the blind grope in darkness, and you shall not prosper in your ways.”
(Deuteronomy 28:28-29)
These curses are the direct result of disobedience, and they will not only affect the individual but can be passed down through families. The impact of lawlessness can be felt for generations, creating a cycle of curse and suffering that becomes entrenched in the family line.
The Cycle of Generational Curses
One of the most disturbing aspects of lawlessness and rebellion is its ability to create a cycle that is passed down through generations. In Deuteronomy 28, God makes it clear that the disobedience of one generation can lead to curses that affect subsequent generations.
“You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; they shall go into captivity.”
(Deuteronomy 28:41)
“Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, while your eyes look on and fail with longing for them all day long.”
(Deuteronomy 28:32)
These verses describe the fate of the descendants of those who live in disobedience. When families turn away from God and live in rebellion, the consequences often fall upon their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This can result in broken homes, disrupted relationships, and even physical, emotional, and spiritual captivity.
The cycle of generational curses can be seen in the lives of many biblical figures. For example, King David’s sin with Bathsheba and his subsequent actions led to turmoil in his own family. His son, Absalom, rebelled against him, and this rebellion was a direct consequence of the generational effects of sin. The lawlessness that David allowed to take root in his own life did not only affect him, but it created a ripple effect through his descendants.
Similarly, in the Gospels, Jesus addresses the spiritual state of Israel and the ongoing consequences of generational sin. He warns that Israel’s rejection of God’s law has deepened the curse of lawlessness.
“Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?”
(Matthew 23:32-33)
Here, Yeshua points out that the current generation’s sin is part of an ongoing cycle that began long ago. The rejection of God’s law has been passed down through the generations, and it has reached its fullness in their disobedience. Just as lawlessness in one generation brings curses, obedience to God’s commandments in the present can break those curses and stop the cycle.
The Power of Repentance to Break the Curse of Lawlessness
The good news is that the curse of lawlessness can be broken, but only through repentance, confession, and turning back to God’s ways. Deuteronomy 30:1-3 provides a powerful promise of restoration:
“And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you, and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey His voice… then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you.”
(Deuteronomy 30:1-3)
This passage teaches that when we recognize the curse of lawlessness in our families, we have the opportunity to call out to God and return to Him. Repentance is the first step in breaking the curse of lawlessness. It is through genuine repentance that we begin to sever the spiritual ties to rebellion and disobedience that have affected our family line. Repentance involves:
- Acknowledging the sin of lawlessness – Confessing before God the ways in which we and our ancestors have lived in disobedience.
- Renouncing the curse of lawlessness – Rejecting the curse that has been passed down and breaking its hold over our family.
- Turning back to God’s commandments – Choosing to walk in obedience and to live according to God’s will.
In the Gospels, Jesus emphasized the importance of repentance when He said:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
(Matthew 4:17)
Repentance is not just a one-time act; it is a continual turning away from sin and a commitment to live in obedience to God’s will. When we repent, we invite God’s mercy and blessing to break the cycle of lawlessness in our families.
Steps to Break the Curse of Lawlessness in Your Family Line
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Acknowledge the Curse of Lawlessness:
Begin by recognizing the ways in which rebellion and disobedience have affected your family line. Reflect on the specific areas of lawlessness that may have been passed down, such as idolatry, dishonesty, or rejection of God’s commandments. -
Repent and Confess:
Repent for both your own sins and the sins of your ancestors. Confess your disobedience and ask for God’s forgiveness. Renounce any agreement with lawlessness in your family line. -
Renounce the Curse:
Break the legal hold of the curse of lawlessness over your family. Declare that, in the name of Yeshua, the cycle of rebellion and disobedience ends with you. -
Choose Obedience to God’s Word:
Make a commitment to walk in God’s commandments. Choose to honor His instructions, both written in the Torah and taught by Yeshua. Living in obedience to God will release His blessings into your life and your family. -
Declare Blessings Over Your Family:
Proclaim God’s blessing over your family line. Declare that your children, grandchildren, and future generations will walk in obedience to God’s commands and experience His favor.
Conclusion: Freedom From the Curse of Lawlessness
The curse of lawlessness is a serious issue, but it is not permanent. By repenting for disobedience, renouncing the sins of previous generations, and choosing to walk in obedience to God’s commandments, Messianic Jewish believers can break free from this curse and bring healing to their family lines. Through repentance, God promises restoration and blessings to those who return to Him.
“And the LORD will again take delight in you and make you prosperous, just as He delighted in your ancestors.”
(Deuteronomy 30:9)
As you take these steps, you can stand firm in the confidence that the curse of lawlessness ends here, and your family will experience the fullness of God’s blessing.
