The Key to Freedom: Why Forgiveness is Crucial for Breakthrough from Generational Curses

Many believers long for deliverance from generational curses. 

Both hands are up. I long for deliverance from these cycles of dysfunction, bondage, and oppression that seem to persist in my family.

I am glad to hear some of you over the last few weeks stating how you have come to now understand these bad breaks you have been experiencing and those bad habits you’ve been noticing in your families are actually generational curses that need to be broken.

We have identified prayer, fasting, and spiritual warfare as powerful tools to help us in this area.

Today, we will look at one key aspect often overlooked - forgiveness. I want to suggest to us that the key to freedom and breaking generational curses has a whole lot to do with forgiveness. 

It is said that forgiveness means different things to different people. But in general, it involves an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger. So if I say I forgive you, even though I may mention what you did to hurt me, I will not get angry, nor will I be bitter towards you.

In other words, we get true freedom when we release the weight of unforgiveness and allow God’s grace to work in our lives.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

John 8:36 (NIV) "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Romans 6:14 (NIV) "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Now, the Bible shows us that patterns of sin and consequences can pass through generations. Lamentations 5:7 (CSB) states, "Our fathers sinned; they no longer exist, but we bear their punishment." 

However, this does not mean we are doomed to suffer under these curses. God provides a way out through Jesus Christ, but our participation is required—especially in the area of forgiveness.

So what is the connection between forgiveness and freedom?

There’s a school of thought that says unforgiveness is one of the enemy’s greatest strongholds. And I tend to believe that, because I see where unforgiveness keeps individuals and families trapped in cycles of bitterness, resentment, and even physical and spiritual bondage. 

Proverbs 17:9 (TLV) warns, "Whoever covers up an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends." 

When we hold on to past wounds, we unknowingly partner with the very spirits that perpetuate generational strongholds.

Some people are under the mistaken notion that if they forgive, that means they are excusing the wrong that was done to them and giving the culprit an easy pass. On the contrary, forgiveness is about releasing ourselves from its hold. 

Colossians 3:13 (NASB) instructs us, "Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also." 

So when we forgive, we unlock the door to healing and allow God’s restoration to flow.

Let’s turn now to some Biblical examples of forgiveness breaking curses.

Joseph, despite suffering betrayal by his brothers, chose to forgive. Genesis 50:20 (NET) records his words: "As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose." Because of his forgiveness, his family was reconciled, and they flourished in Egypt rather than perishing in famine.

David and Saul: Despite Saul’s relentless pursuit to kill him, David refused to seek revenge. Instead, he spared Saul’s life, saying in 1 Samuel 24:12 (TLB), “The Lord will decide between us. Perhaps he will kill you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you." David’s heart of forgiveness positioned him to receive God’s promise of kingship.

Then there was Stephen. As he was being stoned, he cried out in Acts 7:60 (AKJV), "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Saul, who later became Paul, was among the persecutors. This act of forgiveness likely sowed the seeds for Saul’s radical conversion, demonstrating how forgiveness can shift spiritual legacies.

Now you may ask: Why does holding unforgiveness keep us in bondage? Because it becomes a legal ground for the enemy. Unforgiveness allows the enemy to keep a foothold in our lives. If I haven’t forgiven myself or forgiven someone, the incident or the person will constantly be in my mind, haunting my thoughts. So I would need to speak to myself and say let it go, Angela.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (RSV) says, "Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." Holding on to offense opens doors for demonic oppression.

Unforgiveness also delays our healing and breakthrough. 

Many people pray for healing and deliverance but still hold grudges. Mark 11:25 (TLV) says, "Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your transgressions." 

Without forgiveness, even our prayers can be hindered. It keeps the pain alive. Bitterness chains us to the past and makes us relive pain continuously. 

Hebrews 12:15 (AMP) warns, "See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;"

So here are some steps for us, note I said us, steps for us to break free through forgiveness.

1.Acknowledge the Hurt but Release the Offense. That’s so good. Recognizing pain is the first step, but dwelling on it will only keep us bound. Choose to release it to God.

2.Declare Forgiveness by Faith, Not Feelings. Forgiveness is a decision, not an emotion. Luke 6:37 (CEV) reminds us, "Don't judge others, and God won't judge you. Don't be hard on others, and God won't be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you."

3. Pray for Those Who Hurt You. Jesus instructed in Luke 6:28 (GNT), "Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you." This act breaks the hold of resentment and allows God to work in our hearts.

4.Trust God for Justice, Not Revenge. Ahhh. justice not revenge. Bless the name of Jesus. No matter what they have done to you, know that God is watching, and Romans 12:19 (ESV) states, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" God’s justice is perfect—trust Him to handle it.

5.Walk in Love and Freedom. 1 John 2:10 (NLV) declares, "The one who loves his brother stays in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him fall." Walking in love ensures we don’t stumble back into cycles of hurt and bondage. So this requires a change of attitude, a change in mindset, a change in the way we talk. I hear that.

As we end, Family, I want to reiterate that forgiveness is the key to that breakthrough some of us have been seeking.

Generational curses lose their grip when we align with God’s principles, and forgiveness is central to that alignment. 

By forgiving, we close the door to bitterness, dismantle strongholds, and position ourselves for the fullness of God’s blessing. 

As we choose forgiveness, we step into the freedom Christ has already won for us, breaking every chain of the past and walking into a new legacy of grace and redemption. I want that. Don’t you?

aub - 25Nar25

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