The Choice: Blessings or Curses

Sometimes Christians raise the subject of a “generational curse,” something that’s on a family and can only be broken through prayer.

I don’t think the Bible teaches that, however. Instead, sometimes a family has a cycle of sin that is passed on from generation to generation. Certain people have brought, in effect, a curse upon their lives. And I don’t mean that in any mystical way.

For instance, if a parent is an alcoholic, chances are far greater that his or her child will become an alcoholic. And the possibility of divorce is higher if your parents are divorced.

My mother was an alcoholic. She was divorced seven times. I started on the wrong road during the early years of my life, but when I came to Christ at age 17, Jesus broke the cycle of sin in my life. I’m happy to report that I’ve been married for more than 40 years now, and the Lord has been good and faithful to me.

So if there’s a so-called curse on your life, it’s because you’ve disobeyed God. If you’re living a sinful life, then you’ll experience the repercussions of that—a curse, if you will. You choose whether your life will be blessed or cursed.

God said to the Israelites, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20 NLT).

If you want to live a blessed and happy life, then you need to love God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. Live it. Put it into practice. And watch what the Lord will do.