Raising a Curse-Free Generation: Teaching Your Children to Walk in Freedom

Today’s message is for every parent, grandparent, mentor, or anyone who has ever looked at their family and thought…"I wish I had done more." Or maybe: "I see patterns in my children that I recognize from myself—and I don’t want them to keep repeating."

If that’s you, breathe, and be reassured: It is not too late.

We are being reminded today, that God is not limited by age, time, or even past mistakes. So whether our children are still young or now raising their own families, as parents and grandparents, we still have the spiritual authority to change the direction of our legacy. That is good news for me, for sure!

For many of us, the children we once drooled over saying how cute they are, are no longer babies looking to us for everything. All of us are still proud of our children, even though some try our patience as we see them going down the wrong path or struggling to survive emotionally and financially. 

Many times, we see repeating patterns: the same anger that ran through our family line showing up in a grandchild. The same fear, addiction, insecurity, or spiritual apathy we experienced now surfacing again in the next generation.

It can make us sad especially after we know that we did our best to raise our children. If we are honest, most of us can say there are some things we could have done better.

But here's the thing, while there is life there is hope. Whether our children are toddlers, teenagers, or adults, we are still called and empowered to shape our family’s legacy, because in Christ, no chain is too old to break, and no generation is too far gone to be redeemed.

So the first thing we have to do is to recognize the pattern and want to break it.

The Bible tells us clearly in Exodus 20:5-6 (NKJV) that iniquity can pass through generations. “...visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations... but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

This isn't to shame us or make us feel bad, but to get us thinking and moving into action. It means that what we do, tolerate, or ignore doesn’t stay with us, it has a domino effect. But it also means that mercy ripples even further. God’s goodness outlasts the curse. Hallelujah.

Again, many of us may have seen dysfunction in our families. But today, as a more mature parent, as a grandparent, a spiritual mother, or a father figure, you have spiritual authority. Begin by acknowledging the patterns: Did the great-grandparents neglect their children perhaps because they had to hustle two and three jobs to make a living? Was there a problem with communication in the home; could the children talk to their parents about their crushes, sex or any problem they were facing? Was their family worship or were they forbidden from talking about God?

Name them. Then declare: “This ends here.” Not through might, but through Christ. Zechariah 4:6 NKJV “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.

I am so grateful that Jesus already paid the price for everything. Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV) reminds us: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us... so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

So we may feel helpless looking back. And that’s why you cannot talk about the past with some people. I firmly believe that by talking about my mistakes with an objective person who is not going to condemn me and judge me but loving point out the good and the bad, I would be better able to acknowledge where I went wrong and what good I did so that I can adjust accordingly and be a better person. But alas, not everyone is of that opinion, and that’s ok…or maybe not.

But really, the wonderful God that we serve is not asking us to undo the past. What He is asking us to do, is to walk in the authority Jesus already won for us. Ephesians 2:6 (NLT) “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

So even now, right now, we can begin or continue to speak freedom over our children and grandchildren. Yes, they might be grown, living in a different home or even a different country, but with WhatsApp and FaceTime, they are just a phone call away. So when you call them or write to them, pray with them, send them a scripture or encouraging message. Talk about what God is teaching you. Host a prayer night with the grandkids. Share your personal story of how you struggled and how you’re overcoming with the help of the Lord. Let your home become a place where God's Word is normal and natural.

When we do so, we are planting seeds of liberty. 

Let us always speak blessings over our children, not always complaining about something they are doing wrong. Remind them: "You are not bound by what I struggled with. You are free in Christ."

Philippians 4:9 (ESV) says: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things...”

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) declares: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Thanks be to God that the mistakes of our past do not have to haunt us. If our adult children saw us live angry, let them now see us healed. If they saw fear, let them now see peace. Modeling freedom is more powerful than demanding change.

And when grandchildren witness a grandparent who laughs, worships, apologizes, forgives—they are witnessing generational change in real time.

The idea Family, is to set a new atmosphere, and build a new legacy for our families. 

Let us fill our homes with the presence of God. We don’t have to preach. Just let the environment speak. Play worship music. Display scriptures on the refrigerator. Keep a Bible open on your table and let them see you reading it. Create a spiritual culture in your home that your grandchildren will grow up remembering.

Essentially, we want trauma to end and truth to reign.

Luke 10:19 (AMP) says: “Listen carefully: I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy…”

So we are not helpless. We are not too old. We are not too late. No matter the situation, our prayers still carry power. Our voice must be worth something. Our presence must carry peace. Let us use our authority. Rebuke what needs to be rebuked in the spirit. Declare blessings over your bloodline. Speak life. Even if no one seems to listen at first.

What do we want to do? Raise a curse-free generation. Not by fear, but by faith. 

Remember, our legacy is not what’s behind us. It is what God is doing through us—right now.

aub - 7Apr25

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