For some time there has been on my spiritual horizon a dark cloud named generational curse. It was a storm containing the unknown, strong currents, much agitation, thunder, and deep darkness, with only occasional flashes of light. I knew it was there, and I was not comfortable with it being there, but I did not have time to investigate it. Events intrude, the time has come.
The following is God’s response to portions of a specific deliverance ministry’s writing. The entire original document can be found at http://www.freedomencounters.com. I begin with a paragraph from their first page:
“Part of the basis for this deliverance ministry involves the generational curse principle (Exodus 20:5, 34:7, Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 5:9), which says that God will visit the iniquity of fathers on the children to the 3rd and 4th generations. God revealed a principle in His warning, because it applies to parents (not just fathers) and negatively impacts the bloodline indefinitely until it is effectively cut off. How is this ‘visiting’ accomplished? Because of the Word of God, Satan has been allowed to enforce the iniquity, and he is only too eager to do so (Hosea 7:1)! Satan and his demons have used this generational principle against us for centuries. It is our consistent experience that many people receive at least some demons at the point of conception, because these generational demonic spirits have remained ‘unchecked’ through the bloodlines for centuries.”
God says of the entire writing, “There is a little bit of truth and a great deal of error.” And of this specific paragraph, “I curse, demons do not. They may be a curse, but they have no power or authority to do such a thing. The very scriptures these people quote say God will…, not demons will…, or demons can…. Further, the scripture says ‘to the third and forth generation’, not ‘the bloodline indefinitely’ as they proclaim.”
Later they say,
“It is our consistent experience that many people receive at least some demons at the point of conception, …”
God responded, “No. No. No. No. No.”
When God repeats something five times it means falsehood exposed. This means that the above quote contains no truth and is totally false. While the document as a whole is a mixture of truth and error, this particular passage is not – it is 100% error.
In the next paragraph they say,
“We have learned that demons operate in a hierarchy like the military, in a chain-of-command or pyramid type structure.”
God says this is largely incorrect. Authority and organization in the spirit world is quite complex and largely relational and dynamic, not structural and static. Their statement is not completely incorrect, but it only faintly resembles truth.
A bit later in the document they attempt to make a distinction between demon-possessed and demonized, which is semantic hair splitting. If the demon is in you, you are possessed. This can happen to a Christian, but it is rare in humans, in or out of the church.
They then correctly define oppression.
“Oppression is the influence demons work from outside of the body.”
But from this point they go completely off the rails.
“we will hold the head demonic spirit accountable”…. “it is reasonable to require some accountability of them before they are commanded to leave your body.”
We? Since when are demons accountable to us?
In the rest of the document they make a series of bizarre statements:
…‘go back’ in your mind to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. .… It’s also very important to know that getting back to the Lord is the demon’s responsibility…..…the demons are humiliated as they admit their wrongdoing. …. If demons don’t cooperate, they will suffer the consequences of their rebellion…. The final judgment involves the fire of God that consumes all of the demons in the client’s body.
Where is the scriptural support for any of this foolishness?
God’s definition of foolishness is much stronger than the ordinary meaning of our English word. He defines foolishness as “the acts of a fool”, and a fool as “one who does not believe God”. Not believing God is a grievous sin. Do you believe what God says, and does not say, about these subjects? Judge yourself lest you be judged.
I am sure these people believe they are doing God, and God’s people, a service. They are wrong. In seeking to deliver people from Satan they end up delivering them to him. Repent and seek God – not formulas and arguments with demons. Using demons to defeat demons! Foolishness! Did not Christ say a house divided against itself cannot stand?
Do not argue with demons, do not seek truth from demons, do not even ask their names. You do not need to know their name to command them. Christ’s authority is sufficient – nothing else is required. Have these people not read the scriptures? Did Christ ever argue, demand explanation, or cooperate with demons? He did not. Demonology is a complex and sometimes subtle subject. Demons can do things, and have great influence, and are masters of deception, but are far less powerful than they want us to believe. They rely on fear, and doubt, and unbelief. The counter is love, and faith, and knowledge.
Having said this – deliverance is a valid part of many ministries. There are spiritual warriors and those who exercise authority with understanding of this subject. But the program promoted by this ministry, and no doubt others, is beyond false – it is evil! They are the unknowing servants of the very spirits they believe they oppose. God says to them, “Pray for your own deliverance from a lie. Repent and turn in purity to God, and remove this great and ugly spot from the church. I say again, repent. Your intentions may be good, but your deeds and fruits are not. Repent”.