Steps To Forgive Yourself And Others: The Curse Ends Here: How To Break Free From Family Iniquity
Introduction: The Healing Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not only a command from God but also a path to spiritual and emotional freedom. While we often focus on forgiving others, many of us struggle to forgive ourselves for past mistakes, failures, and sins. This internal unforgiveness can bind us in shame and guilt, hindering our ability to move forward in God’s purposes. Yeshua’s teachings and the Tanakh emphasize forgiveness as a key to healing, restoration, and breaking the chains of generational iniquity.
This chapter provides practical steps for forgiving yourself and others, drawing on Scriptural wisdom to guide you toward freedom.
Forgiving Yourself: Embracing God’s Mercy
One of the most difficult tasks can be forgiving yourself. We often hold onto guilt and shame, believing we are unworthy of forgiveness. However, the Scriptures remind us of God’s abundant mercy and His desire to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”
(Psalm 103:12)
If God Himself has forgiven you, who are you to hold onto what He has released? Self-forgiveness is not about ignoring sin but about agreeing with God’s mercy and grace.
Steps to Forgive Yourself:
1. Confess Your Sins Before God
Acknowledge your sins and mistakes before the Lord, trusting in His promise to forgive.
“I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
(Psalm 32:5)
2. Accept God’s Forgiveness
Once you confess, believe that God has forgiven you. Do not let the enemy deceive you into carrying shame that God has already removed.
“Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
(Matthew 9:2)
3. Release Yourself from Shame
Renounce any lingering guilt or shame in prayer, declaring that you are free in Yeshua’s name. Remind yourself of your identity as a forgiven child of God.
Forgiving Others: Obedience and Freedom
Forgiving others is essential for breaking generational curses and living in the fullness of God’s blessings. Unforgiveness creates spiritual blockages and gives the enemy a foothold in your life. Yeshua highlighted the importance of forgiveness in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21–35), showing how those who withhold forgiveness are themselves bound by spiritual consequences.
Steps to Forgive Others:
1. Acknowledge the Hurt
Begin by acknowledging the offense and the pain it caused. Denying or minimizing the hurt does not lead to true forgiveness. Bring your pain to God in prayer:
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
(Psalm 34:18)
2. Release the Offender to God
Forgiveness does not mean condoning the offense but releasing the offender to God’s justice. Trust that God will handle the situation with righteousness.
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the LORD, and He will deliver you.”
(Proverbs 20:22)
3. Pray for the Offender
Praying for those who have hurt you is a powerful step in forgiveness. Yeshua taught:
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
(Matthew 5:44)
Praying for the person who hurt you softens your heart and aligns you with God’s will.
4. Speak Forgiveness Aloud
Declare forgiveness aloud as an act of faith and obedience. For example:
"Father, in the name of Yeshua, I choose to forgive [name of person] for [specific offense]. I release them to You and trust You to bring healing and justice."
5. Renounce Bitterness
Once you forgive, renounce any bitterness or resentment that may have taken root. This prevents the enemy from regaining a foothold.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”
(Ephesians 4:31)
The Role of Prayer and Community
Forgiveness is often a process that requires prayer and support from others. Engage in prayer and seek accountability within a trusted faith community. Yeshua said:
“For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.”
(Matthew 18:20)
Sharing your struggles with trusted believers can provide encouragement and strength as you walk through the process of forgiveness.
Breaking the Generational Cycle
Forgiving yourself and others has the power to break generational cycles of iniquity. When you choose forgiveness, you remove the enemy’s legal ground to perpetuate curses in your family line. The Tanakh provides a powerful example in the story of Joseph. Despite the deep betrayal of his brothers, Joseph chose forgiveness, breaking the cycle of resentment and bringing restoration to his family:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
(Genesis 50:20)
By forgiving, Joseph not only healed his own heart but also paved the way for his family to reconcile and thrive.
Conclusion: Freedom in Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a spiritual key that unlocks freedom, healing, and blessings. Whether you need to forgive yourself or others, the steps outlined in this chapter can help you walk in obedience to God’s commands and experience His shalom in your life.
As you embrace forgiveness, you will find that the curse truly ends here. The cycle of iniquity is broken, and the blessings of God’s mercy and love can flow freely through your life and family.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
(Matthew 5:7)
