Spiritual Warfare Through Your Family Tree

We usually don’t associate the Ten Commandments with spiritual warfare, but there is a close connection (Exodus 20:4-5).  After the commandment to not make any idols God gives the reason: He is a jealous God “punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me” (Exodus 20:4-5).   God does not hold us accountable for the sins of our ancestors (Deuteronomy 24:16) but the consequences of their sins does pass on from generation to generation (Ezekiel 18:2).  There is a big difference between ‘sins’ (individual acts of sin) and ‘sin’ (general term for the culmination of all sin together). 

One of the main ways sin passes from generation to generation is through demonic control.  When a person opens themselves to demonizing, that demon claims them and all they have.  When they have children the demon then claims the child as well (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 5:8-9).  There are many examples of this in Scripture (Nehemiah 1:4-9; Jeremiah 14:20; Daniel 1:1-19).  This goes on from generation to generation until broken by prayer in Jesus’ name.  As believers we have authority to break this in Jesus’ name (1 Corinthians 7:14).

LESSON FOR TODAY:  When one person opens themselves up to demonic influence, that person’s descendants are also at risk of demonizing.  When a demon has access to a person, he also claims right to all that person has, including their children.  The Bible says these sins pass on down to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 5:8-9; Exodus 34:6-7).  Ancestral, or generational access  is one of the most common reasons people are demonized.  This is especially true of first born males, for Satan seeks to claim them just as God does (Exodus 34:20). 

This is especially true of first born males, but certainly not limited to them.  Satan seeks to claim them because God says they belong to Him (Exodus 34:20).  This is by no means limited to firstborn males, or even to males.  Any child is open to this.  If you notice some of the same problems in your life as in your siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents it could very well be ancestral demonizing.  The same demons have access to those in the family and do the same work in various members (not all members, that would be too obvious).  They claim the blood line or family name and use that as access.  If you see some patterns in the symptoms or characteristics of demonizing that were covered previously in others in your family that could show ancestral access.  That is why so often a boy who hates his father for beating his mother grows up to beat his own wife, or a child of an alcoholic becomes an alcoholic themself.  It is not uncommon to observe generations of abuse, addiction, hatred, superstition and fear, pride, control and manipulation, rejection, sexual sins and perversions etc.

Generational bondage can be broken by personally repenting of and confessing the sins of past generations. Claim the blood of Christ as stronger than your blood line and put that access under the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:15).  Claim that you are a “new creation, old things have passed away, all things have become new” (II Corinthians 5:17).  State that you are “born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”  (John 1:13). Then ask God to turn that curse into a blessing (Deuteronomy 23:5). 

LESSON FOR TODAY: When talking to someone who you feel may be demonized be sure to start by asking questions about similar sins and problems in other members of the family.  This is especially true if the person struggled with the issue since they were quite young. Generational bondage can be broken by putting the sins of past generations under the blood of Jesus and forbid any of Satan’s forces to make any claim against you through them. Claim the blood of Christ as stronger than your blood line and put any demonic access under the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:15).  Ask God to turn curses into blessing (Deuteronomy 23:5). 

If you sense any of these things in your life use the following prayer:

“Gracious Father over all, I acknowledge before you the sins of my parents and ancestors.  I know that they have sinned because all men and women are sinners.  And so, I openly confess the sins of my parents and ancestors.  I am sorry for their sins against you and I ask that you cover their sins with the blood of Jesus and not hold their consequences against me or my descendants. I claim the finished work of Jesus Christ, Who bore all my sin upon Himself.  In faith I accept that work on the basis of your holy Word.  I reclaim any consent given to Satan’s forces by my parents’ sin.  Dear Jesus, please set me free from all evil influences coming from my parents and ancestors in the name of Jesus.  I know I am a new creation in Christ.  Old things have gone and all things have become new.    I here and now reject and disown all the sins of my ancestors.  As one who has been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, I cancel out all demonic working that has been passed on to me from my ancestors.  As one who has been crucified and raised with Christ and who sits with him in heavenly places, I reject any and every way in which Satan may claim ownership of me.  I declare myself to be eternally and completely signed over and committed to the Lord Jesus Christ.  I now command every familiar spirit and every enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ that is in or around me to flee my presence and never to return.  I now ask You, heavenly Father, to fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  I submit my body as an instrument of righteousness, a living sacrifice, that I may glorify You in my body.  All this I do in the name & authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.”

 

(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/.  My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)

C t O Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
| ChristianTrainingOnline.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View) Copyright ©1995-2024

PREVIOUS POSTS