Generational Strongholds

“The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.”

“Like mother (father), like daughter (son).”

“You’re the spitting image of your dad/mom!”

“The resemblances are pretty remarkable!”

Sound familiar?  We hear these things all the time, right?  We can’t deny genetics!  It’s pretty crazy how evident characteristics come down through the bloodline!  And just how strongly those certain dynamics carry through…mannerisms, facial features, build, size, shape, coloring, abilities, creativity, musical abilities, problem solving skills, humor, introvert/extrovert, strong will, passive, and the list could go on and on….  It’s pretty crazy all that gets put into our DNA, and how that plays a significant part of who we are.

I think we’ve settled that we inherit a lot of physical traits generationally, but there’s a lot more!  The physical aspect is just part of what gets passed down. There can also be genetics for emotional traits, but today I wanted to talk a little bit about the spiritual traits that can also be passed down. All of these things can have a pretty big impact on our makeup; how we act, respond, behaviors, tendencies, struggles, and more.  Of course it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t acknowledge that our responses to life experiences and traumas we encounter also play a big part of some of these things as well.  But, back to the spiritual…

I know it may sound kinda crazy, but let’s just get it out there. So there’s an actual thing called a “generational stronghold”.   It can look like a lot of different things and there are even some examples in the Bible.  Sometimes it can look like deceit, manipulation, control, or maybe even rejection, addiction, pride, anger, irrational fear, and other things.  These strongholds are typically an iniquity or a natural “bent" or tendency in our sin nature that gets passed down through the generations because someone didn’t confess it, repent of it, or renounce it and clear the path.  Abraham lied about his wife being his sister in order to protect himself (selfish reason) and just kinda slid that under the rug until he was called out. Well guess what? That “small tendency” trickled right down to his son Isaac who did the exact same thing, and right on down to his grandson Jacob who lied and tricked his brother right out of his birthright.  The “little bit of deceit” was used to manipulate a situation in order for him to benefit selfishly and that “little iniquity” kept right on growing down the line. It became a “natural tendency” that made itself evident in a pattern.

Sin is sin. And that’s all it takes to create an open door for the enemy to move right in. He takes advantage of any opportunity he can find to spread his destruction throughout a family lineage. Especially if it’s a family trying to serve God.  He comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  And if he can take out a divine calling on your life to fulfill a divine purpose to expand God’s kingdom, let me tell you, he will do whatever it takes. And a lot of times in a subtle way that we rationalize or overlook or even just accept because “That's just the way my family is”.

Maybe you’ve recognized some patterns within your own family lineage. Divorce, adultery, abuse, lust, addictions, suicidal thoughts, depression, irrational fear, the list can go on and on. But it’s usually something consistent from one generation to another in the same bloodline. A pattern that is seen and continues. And when someone initially comes into agreement with it, there are “familiar spirits” that are attached to that sin and they try their hardest to come to the next person in the bloodline to get them to come into agreement with it as well.  And before you know it, you’re operating in that same sin with that same “familiar spirit” attached. But here’s the good news!!! All of those things can be broken off by faith with the blood of Jesus, since he already paid the price with the sacrifice of his death on the cross where he became a curse on our behalf. He did all the work to provide the means necessary for our freedom. We just have to recognize what that sin pattern or stronghold is and apply by faith what Jesus already provided for us.  And honestly, it’s quite simple…

Basically it comes down to a few “RE’s”. Let me explain.  

REPENT ask for forgiveness (on behalf of the generations before you that were in agreement with this sin)

RENOUNCE all sin/curses/oaths/agreements in Jesus name, and come out of agreement with them.

RELEASE the stronghold by faith in Jesus name and declare it broken off with the blood of Jesus.

REMOVE all unclean demonic spirits attached in the name of Jesus! (Use your authority in Jesus name!)

RECEIVE by faith a new cleansing of your bloodline in Jesus name.

REPLACE/RENEW your mindset and spirit with daily reading of the Word of God and His truth and promises!

RESIST the enemy and his attacks and he will flee! Use your authority in Jesus name to command the enemy’s attempts to tempt you with that old familiar stronghold. Put on the full armor of God daily.

(Eph 6:13-17)

This is just a simple guideline on how to go about breaking strongholds off your family.  I would also encourage you to sit with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to reveal any areas of darkness that need to be brought out into the light such as any secrets or any other areas of sin that need to be exposed, including any physical objects that you may have in your home or possession that could be a hindrance and give legal rights for unclean spirits to stick around. I would also take anointing oil and anoint each doorway to each room in your home and dedicate it to the Lord Jesus Christ and command any unclean thing to leave and go to the pit. Do a thorough cleaning!

As the Holy Spirit leads, remove anything that would be an open door to the enemy. If he has no legal rights, he can’t stay! Reclaim what is yours and get the thief out! Let freedom and transformation begin!  It’s worth seeing your own children and grandchildren set free from the junk that has stayed in the family for far too long. Let it end today with you!