The Authority and Power of Jesus Over Demons

by Albert Kang

As Jesus began his public ministry, the Gospels recorded a remarkable encounter that revealed his sovereign authority over the demonic realm. In the synagogue, Jesus confronted a man possessed by an unclean spirit (Luke 4:33-36). When the demon sensed the presence of its mortal enemy, it cried out in protest, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Luke 4:34). But rather than engaging the demon in debate, Jesus responded with unwavering command, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” (Luke 4:35).

This incident is deeply instructive, for it demonstrates a fundamental truth about spiritual warfare. Demons may hate God and defiantly resist His will, but they are ultimately powerless against the sovereign authority of the Son of God. As the text states, “the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm” (Luke 4:35). The onlookers were left “amazed” at the sheer power of Jesus’ words (Luke 4:36).

What accounts for this remarkable display of dominance over the demonic? The key lies in the distinction between God’s moral will and His sovereign will. The moral will of God is revealed in commandments like the Ten Commandments. These instructions are the ethical precepts that demons will brazenly defy. But there is another aspect of God’s will, His sovereign will, which demons are totally powerless to resist.

When God exercised His sovereign will and said, “Let there be light,” light came into being. When Jesus commanded, “Lazarus, come out,” the dead man could not resist the command of life into his dead body and got up to walk out of the tomb. And when Jesus declared to the unclean spirit, “Be silent and come out of him,” the demon had no choice but to obey. This is the authority and power that left the people in the synagogue utterly astonished.

The implications of this truth are profound. As followers of Christ, we need not cower in fear before the forces of darkness. For we serve a Savior who has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). When we stand firm in our faith and invoke the name of Jesus, even the mightiest demons must submit to His sovereign command.

In Luke 9:1-2, we read, “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal.” This is a staggering commission. Jesus was not merely sending them out as passive messengers but directly empowering them with His divine authority.

The text specifies that He gave them “power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.”  This was no small matter. Demons were understood to be powerful spiritual forces that could torment and possess human beings. Yet Jesus was entrusting His followers with the ability to cast out these unclean spirits and bring healing to the afflicted.

But the disciples’ mission was more than just casting out demons and miraculous healings. Jesus also sent them “to proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:2). In other words, they were to be authoritative heralds of the new reality that Jesus had inaugurated – the breaking in of God’s reign on earth. This is the “two-hand punch” that every believer must apply in their ministry – applying power and authority to minister healing miracles, casting out demons, and sharing the Gospel.

This theme was further developed in Luke 10, where Jesus commissioned 70 or 72 additional disciples and sent them out in pairs. Once again, the emphasis is on the authority and power they have been given. As Jesus instructed them, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

The implication is clear – those who faithfully represent Jesus as His authorized messengers will be supernaturally empowered to overcome the forces of darkness. They will have the authority to pronounce judgment on demonic powers and declare the triumph of God’s kingdom.

This is a remarkable trust that Jesus placed in His followers. He was not sending them out as mere cheerleaders or bystanders but as authorized agents of His own divine rule. And this authority and power were not for their own aggrandizement but for the advancement of the Gospel and the liberation of the captives.

The same commission stands for Jesus’ disciples today. We too have been entrusted with the authority of the kingdom, empowered by the Holy Spirit to confront the powers of evil, proclaim the good news, and see God’s reign established in the lives of those we reach. What an awesome privilege and responsibility this is!

May we, like the original disciples, faithfully steward this authority and power for the glory of Christ and the expansion of his kingdom. For the battle is the Lord’s, and the victory is assured.

This truth should fill our hearts with boldness and confidence. No matter how daunting the spiritual battle may seem, we can take courage knowing that Jesus has already secured the ultimate victory. With His authority and power behind us, we can advance the kingdom of God and set the captives free, to the glory of his name.

Note: If you are interested in learning how to exercise your faith to do Power Evangelism, here is a free video course for you on YouTube by Rev Albert Kang.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe-frSJlCn8oowZ6SSLlH831OZdz-twV7&si=fI_xc-5u3v0J1Otf

How To Strengthen Your Mind’s Defense System Against Spiritual Attacks

During the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, the Hamas militants used various missiles to attack cities and towns in Israel. However, Israel has a defense system called the Iron Dome that was able to stop and destroy many of these missiles. The Iron Dome uses special technology to track enemy missiles and shoot them down before they can cause harm. This helped protect the people of Israel and reduce the damage caused by the attacks.

As Christians, we are under constant spiritual attacks and it’s usually in the mind. Just as the Iron Dome defended Israel against hostile missiles, it’s important to have a spiritual defense system in our minds to combat tempting thoughts from the devil.

The Battle for the Mind
Our minds are often considered the battleground for the devil because they play a crucial role in our thoughts, beliefs, and decision-making processes. The mind is where our attitudes, desires, and intentions originate. It is the place where we process information, form opinions, and make choices. The devil knows that if he can influence our thoughts and beliefs, he can impact our actions and faith. That is why he and his minions are working overtime to weaken our minds with ungodly thoughts, doubts, fears, and sinful desires.

More than one church member shared with me about their backsliding experience. One sister said that even though at that time, she wore a necklace with a cross and attended church occasionally, she was committing fornication with different men. Another brother left the faith because he felt that God did not answer his prayer for a particular job position that he desired. Yet another brother said that he loved the wild parties and nightlife, so much so that he left the faith for almost 20 years. The testimonies of being tempted by the devil are many. Thankfully, all these believers were spiritually revived and today, serving faithfully in the Church.

Since we know that the mind is the battleground of the enemy, how are we going to fortify our minds against the attacks of the enemy?

How can we build a resilient spiritual “Iron Dome” to safeguard our thoughts and protect our spiritual well-being?

Let us explore how Satan tempts our minds, drawing insights from Scripture and stories that reveal his strategies:

The Power of Deception:
First, we have to acknowledge that the devil is the master of deception and a master deceiver, who seeks to distort truth and lead people astray. He has many ways to present temptations that may seem appealing or harmless at first, but ultimately lead to our spiritual harm and separation from God.

Here are some common tactics he uses:

Distorting And Misinterpreting: The devil twists the meaning of Scripture or promotes false ideas to confuse us and make us doubt what the Bible says. The devil distorted God’s words by asking Eve, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). This question falsely implied that God had forbidden them from eating any fruit in the garden, which was not the case.

Creating Doubt: The devil wants us to question whether we can trust God’s Word. He may make us doubt its accuracy, relevance, or consistency. The devil directly contradicted God’s command by saying to Eve, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). By denying the consequences of disobedience, the devil cast doubt on the truthfulness of God’s warning

Tempting Us To Disobey: The devil tries to make us ignore or go against what the Bible teaches. He may suggest other ideas or lifestyles that go against God’s Word, appealing to our desires and what seems popular.
The devil appealed to Eve’s desires and presented the forbidden fruit as something desirable and beneficial. He said, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). This subtle manipulation played on Eve’s curiosity and her longing for wisdom and power. The end result was that she and Adam were tempted to disobey God.

Persecution And Opposition: The devil may encourage others to treat us badly or oppose us when we follow God’s Word. This can include making fun of us, being mean, or even hurting us physically. There is an account in the New Testament of the apostle Paul being mocked for his faith. In Acts 17:16-34, Paul visited the city of Athens and engaged in discussions with various philosophers and intellectuals. When he preached about Jesus and the resurrection, some of the people mocked him, dismissing his teachings as foolishness. Paul, among many disciples who suffered for their faith, had to endure numerous hardships, including beatings, and imprisonments. Eventually, Paul was martyred, traditionally believed to have been beheaded in Rome.

Cultural Influences: The devil uses the ideas and beliefs of the world around us to make us question or reject what the Bible says. He may make popular ideas or ways of thinking seem more important than what God’s Word tells us. In 2 Timothy 4:10, the apostle Paul mentioned that Demas, who was previously a fellow worker had deserted him because he loved the present world. This suggests that Demas had fallen away from his commitment to the faith and was drawn to the cultural temptations of those days.

Equipping Ourselves with God’s Word
To begin strengthening our spiritual defense system, we have to equip ourselves with God’s Word. This is the most powerful and essential way to resist the deception and temptations of the devil. The Bible serves as a guide and a source of truth, providing us with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. Here are a few reasons why relying on God’s Word is crucial in our spiritual battle:

Truth and Discernment: The Word of God is a reliable and unchanging source of truth. It helps us recognize and discern the lies and deceptions of the devil. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we develop a solid foundation of truth that enables us to identify and reject false teachings or worldly ideologies.

Spiritual Armor: The apostle Paul describes the Word of God as part of the spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:17. Just as a soldier wears armor for protection, God’s Word provides us with spiritual protection against the schemes of the devil. It strengthens our faith, guards our hearts and minds, and helps us stand firm in times of temptation.

Guidance and Wisdom: The Bible offers guidance and wisdom for every aspect of life. It provides insights into God’s character, His will, and His ways. By studying Scripture, we gain understanding and discernment, enabling us to make wise decisions and navigate the challenges and temptations that come our way.

Jesus’ Example: When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), He countered each temptation with the Word of God. Jesus quoted Scripture to resist the devil’s lies and affirm God’s truth. His example shows us the power and effectiveness of using God’s Word as a weapon against deception and temptation.

Let Our Thoughts Be Under The Authority of Christ
Paul encourages us to capture our thoughts and bring them under the authority of Christ: “Our weapons are not physical, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

By comparing Satan’s lies with God’s truth in the Bible, we can prevent them from taking hold in our minds and becoming strongholds. The truth of God’s Word serves as a powerful weapon to dismantle false arguments and align our thoughts with Christ.

Psalm 119:11 declares, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” By memorizing and meditating on Scripture, we can combat the enemy’s lies.

Seeking Accountability and Prayer
In the battle against temptation, we should not face it alone. It is crucial to surround ourselves with fellow believers who can hold us accountable and provide support. James 5:16 encourages us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, for prayer is a powerful tool in overcoming temptation and guarding our minds.

Summary
1. Understand that we’re in a spiritual battle, and the devil tries to tempt us.

2. Use God’s Word to protect our minds.

3. Ask God for help to understand how the enemy works.

4. Trust God’s wisdom to know what is true and what is not.

5. Equip ourselves with God’s armor. Read and study God’s Word for protection.

6. Through Christ, we gain strength to overcome difficulties.

Understanding Satan’s Tactics: How and When He Attacks Believers

I recently spoke to a church member who was feeling very sad. He told me he wanted to stop coming to church and not worship for a whole year. He had a health problem, and he thought that God had only partly healed him, which made him lose hope. I told him that this decision would be very bad for his soul and that he would be committing spiritual suicide. I explained to him that this idea came from the devil and was meant to make him feel worse.

The devil loves to take advantage of people who feel weak and uses it to make them doubt themselves, feel discouraged, and isolated. The devil wants to separate believers from the spiritual support and hope they find in the church, which helps them get through difficult times.

Let me share with you how the devil tries to harm Christians. It’s not just when you are feeling weak, like the church member I mentioned earlier. The devil plans his attacks carefully and strikes when he thinks he has an advantage. We can learn from examples in the Bible that show us how the devil works. These examples are important lessons for all of us.

After a Profound Spiritual Experience
Following his decisive victory over the prophets of Baal, (1 Kings 18:20-40) Elijah found himself isolated and on the run from Queen Jezebel’s threats. In the wilderness, feelings of loneliness and despair overwhelmed him. Seizing this vulnerable moment, the devil tempted Elijah to doubt God’s presence and question the purpose of his mission (1 Kings 19).

Nevertheless, God, in His unfailing love, provided for Elijah in miraculous ways, sustaining him with food and reassurance of His faithfulness. This serves as a powerful reminder that even in our moments of isolation and despair, God remains steadfast, ready to comfort, restore, and remind us of His unwavering presence in our lives.

At the Onset of a New Spiritual Journey
After Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, the devil tried to hinder Paul’s ministry through persecution, imprisonment, false teachers, divisions, personal afflictions, and challenges. Despite these obstacles, Paul remained faithful and resolute in his mission. He persevered through suffering, confronted false teachings, and relied on God’s strength.

Paul’s unwavering commitment allowed him to fulfill his call, spreading the Gospel and establishing numerous churches. His example teaches us to persevere in the face of opposition and trust in God’s power to overcome the devil’s attempts to hinder our spiritual endeavors. This pattern also suggests that whenever believers embark on new ventures, whether personal or ministerial, they should be prepared for potential spiritual opposition. Satan endeavors to thwart progress and hinder the spread of God’s kingdom.

Exploiting Physical and Emotional Vulnerability
When Jesus predicted His arrest and crucifixion, Peter boldly proclaimed unwavering loyalty, vowing never to deny Him. Yet, during the night of the betrayal, fear overwhelmed Peter, and he denied knowing Jesus three times when confronted. Satan exploited Peter’s emotional vulnerability, testing and momentarily weakening his faith.

This event serves as a reminder of the frailty of human nature and the cunning tactics of the enemy. Satan is keenly aware of our vulnerabilities and exploits them to his advantage. In times of physical or emotional weakness, we must remain vigilant and rely on God’s strength to resist the enemy’s allurements. However, Peter’s story also illustrates God’s redemptive power and forgiveness, as Peter later repented and became a pillar of the early church, demonstrating that even in our weaknesses, God’s grace can restore and strengthen us.

Targeting Believers in Isolation
Demas, originally a trusted companion and co-worker of Paul, ultimately disappointed him by deserting him. In Paul’s later writings, he expressed his sadness, noting that Demas had been lured away by the love of the present world (2 Timothy 4:10). When Demas departed from the fellowship and protection of the Church, he immediately succumbed to the temptations orchestrated by the devil. And that began a downward slide of being enticed by worldly desires. Demas never recovered from the fall.

This highlights the importance of community and accountability among believers. When isolated, we become susceptible to Satan’s cunning schemes. Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who can provide support and encouragement is crucial in our spiritual warfare.

Unanticipated Sources of Attack
The Devil frequently employs unexpected sources to launch his attacks, catching believers off guard. For instance, in Matthew 16, after Jesus disclosed His forthcoming suffering and death, Peter took it upon himself to rebuke Him, insisting that such things should never happen. Jesus, recognizing the influence of the enemy, responded by saying, “Get behind me, Satan!”

This incident portrays Peter, the future leader of the Apostles, unwittingly becoming a vessel through which the devil sought to derail Jesus from His divine mission. It serves as a poignant reminder that even those who have displayed great faith can become unwitting tools in the enemy’s schemes, urging us to remain watchful and resolute in our devotion to God’s will. This scenario demonstrates that Satan can exploit the actions or words of fellow believers to hinder our spiritual journey. It serves as a reminder that we should not underestimate the enemy’s ability to use those within our own circles to discourage or lead us astray.

Persistent Attacks and the Need for Vigilance
Once Satan has targeted a believer and temporarily withdrawn, he will return to wage further assaults. After subjecting Jesus to various tests, the Devil departed but only until another opportune time (Luke 4:13).
This pattern emphasizes the necessity of constant vigilance in our spiritual lives. Even if we experience temporary victories over the Devil, we must remain alert, as he will undoubtedly return to challenge us at a later stage. Spiritual battles are ongoing, and we must be prepared to stand firm in our faith.

Remembering Our Ultimate Victory
Despite Satan’s relentless attacks and his attempts to entice believers into sin, we can take solace in our ultimate victory through Christ. God’s promise assures us of triumph. The Apostle Paul confidently declared, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18).

In summary, believers need to grasp the various ways in which Satan operates. He strategically targets vulnerable moments, such as after significant spiritual experiences or at the commencement of new spiritual endeavors. Satan exploits physical and emotional weaknesses, preys on individuals when they are isolated, and often employs unexpected sources to launch attacks. Believers must remain ever watchful, drawing strength from their faith in Christ, as they navigate the spiritual battles that lie ahead.

Here is a message that will help you to overcome temptation as it comes to all of us. What are some practical ways for you to fight off temptation? Once you know the truth, it will set you free. Listen and be blessed.

The Distinction Between Commanding Healing and Praying for the Sick: Why We Do Not Say “Amen”

In our healing ministry, Grace and I used to encounter people who were curious why we did not say “Amen” after we commanded healing for the infirm. In the ministry of healing, there are two types of ministers, and thus exists a distinction between commanding healing and praying for the sick. We who were trained by Pastor William Lau of The Elijah Challenge, practice the “healing command” approach. The other approach practiced by other churches is by praying for the sick. While both practices aim to alleviate suffering and restore health, the approach and intention behind each differ significantly. This article explores why we do not say “Amen” after commanding healing, as opposed to concluding prayers with this customary word.

Understanding the Difference:
In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples commanded healing for the infirm, they were not engaging in prayer but rather rebuking infirmities or demons. This practice is more biblical because we are engaging in spiritual warfare and through the power and authority of Jesus, we can directly address and cast out ailments or spiritual entities that are causing the illness.

On the other hand, praying for the sick involves seeking God’s intervention and guidance in restoring health, often accompanied by supplication, intercession, and surrendering to His will. It is not wrong to pray for the sick but in our experience, we find it to be less effective. For example, in the previous twenty years of my ministry, I prayed for the sick and only about ten people were healed. However, since 2005, after Grace and I had learned the “healing command” method advocated by The Elijah Challenge, we have more than 10,000 people healed.

The Act of Commanding Healing:
When commanding healing, as recorded in Luke 9:1-2 and also Luke 10:9, we assert our God-given power and authority as believers in Jesus Christ to rebuke diseases or pain. By invoking the mighty name of Jesus, we confront and drive out these afflictions. This act of rebuking is not a form of prayer but rather an authoritative divine power against the infirmities or spiritual forces at work.

Rebuking Infirmities or Demons:
In commanding healing, sometimes, we have to address infirmities or demons associated with sickness. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual discernment that certain illnesses may have spiritual origins or be influenced by evil forces. By rebuking these infirmities or demons, we aim to release the person from their grip and restore them to health. This practice aligns with biblical teachings that emphasize the power of Jesus’ name in overcoming all evil forces.

The Absence of “Amen”:
The word “Amen” holds significant meaning in the kingdom of God, often used to conclude prayers as a way of expressing agreement, affirmation, or acceptance. However, when commanding healing, the absence of “Amen” is intentional. This omission reflects the distinction between prayer and rebuking. Commanding healing is not a supplication to God but an authoritative act against the infirmities or demons causing illness.

Praying to God:
In contrast to commanding healing, when we pray to God for healing, we always conclude our prayers with “Amen.” This ecclesiastical practice signifies the end of the prayer and expresses trust in God’s will and power. By saying “Amen,” we express our submission to God’s authority and accept His plans for our lives.

Summary: The Distinction Between Commanding And Praying
The distinction between commanding healing and praying for the sick lies in the approach and intention behind each practice. When commanding healing, we rebuke infirmities or demons in the name of Jesus, addressing them directly without engaging in prayer. As a result, the customary word “Amen” is not used. Conversely, when praying to God for any request, we conclude our prayers with “Amen” as an expression of trust and submission to His will.

What Does It Mean To Be Seated In Heavenly Realms?

The question is often asked, “how can we be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms if we are still here upon this earth?” Let’s look at what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:4-7

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

The Theory of the Spiritual Position
Some teachers of the Bible believe that this is a spiritual position. The idea is that though we are living in the physical realm and experiencing natural realities, our spirit “in Christ” is seated in the exalted spiritual realm known also as “heavenly places”. This is supposedly the spiritual realm of Christ’s victories and therefore, you are expected to live in His favor and victory on earth.

Does your spirit need to leave your body to enter into the heavenly realms? Some teachers have the idea that is very similar to Plato’s dualism (but not in its entirety). If my understanding of what they believe is correct, then they are saying that the body and spirit are two separate entities and can exist in different spheres. So, the spirit is “seated” in the heavenly realms with Christ while the body on earth is being directed by that human spirit that is seated above. I do not subscribe to this mystical idea and I will explain why later.

The Theory of the Legal Position
Other teachers suggest that this “seated in heavenly realms” is an expression of our legal position. We are still here on earth and the “heavenly places” expression has to do with our legal rights being restored by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To them, our new legal position has placed us not so much as being physically there in the heavenly realms with Christ but having the legal rights and authority of Christ who is in the heavenly realms. Our real-life condition remains staunchly here on earth but we function with heavenly authority. This theory sounds plausible but is it really what the Bible is teaching?

The Prophetic Perfect
Having discussed the two commonly preached positions, let’s venture into the biblical understanding of this exciting portion in Ephesians 2:4-7. For this purpose, I like to introduce you to a particular style of writing of the Bible known as the Prophetic Perfect. Bible scholars recognize the Hebraic and Aramaic idiom of using past tense to express the certainty of something in the future. This is known as the “perfective of confidence” – something that God is so confident that in His mind, even though the event is still in the future, He declares it as accomplished or has already happened.

The Promise To Abraham
For example, in Genesis 15:18, in the original Hebrew text, it is “To your descendants, I have given this land.” At that time, all those descendants had not existed and how could God give them the land? You would not be asking this question if you understood that God was using prophetic perfect in his promise. He was so confident in giving this land to Abraham’s descendants and so He used the prophetic perfect to emphasize the certainty of the event one thousand years before it actually happened.
There are just too many occasions that the prophetic perfect has been used in the Bible for me to list all of them here. Let me give you a few more examples:

Victory In A Battle
A quick reference to Numbers 21:34 (NIV) –  The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, along with all his people and his land. Do the same to him as you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon.” 
The context of this portion was God assuring Moses that Israel would win the battle against Og, the king of Bashan. Here most of the English translators kept the original prophetic perfect meaning. Reading the NIV translation, you may think that the battle was already over because God said, “I have handed him over to you, along with all his people and his land.” The truth is that the battle had not been fought yet but in the mind of God, it was already a done deal.

The Coming Of The Messiah
Let’s check a prophecy about the coming of Jesus, given by Balaam. We read Numbers 24:17 (NIV) – “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Did you realize that in most English translations this portion is in the future tense except in the Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)? The reason is that Robert Young the translator followed rigidly what he read in both the Textus Receptus (TR) and the Masoretic Text (MT). Young’s translation has accurately expressed the Hebrew text of the prophetic perfect tense – “A star hath proceeded from Jacob, And a scepter hath risen from Israel.”
This was to be fulfilled by Christ 1,400 years after the prophecy but in the sight of God, it was already a done deal.

Let’s look at another popular scripture about the coming of Jesus – Isaiah 9:6. God was so certain of the coming of His Son that He made Isaiah write in the prophetic perfect tense- “To us, a child has been born, to us a son has been given, and the government has been on his shoulders, and he has been called Wonderful, Counselor….” Can you now recognize the force of the prophetic perfect tense? Isaiah was writing as though this birth of Jesus was a past event, even though he knew that it would be something far in the future – actually 700 years into the future.

Prophetic Perfect Tense In The New Testament
What about the prophetic perfect tense in the New Testament? We have to remember that the New Testament was written in Greek but by people who were mostly Jews or living in the Jewish culture. It is like me – I am Chinese and raised in Chinese culture but I speak and write in English. Many of my Chinese cultural influences are reflected in my English messages and writing.

The Prophetic Perfect Tense In Jude
In Jude 1:14, we see the force of the prophetic perfect tense at work – “It was about these people that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, when he said, “Look, the Lord came with myriads of His holy ones.” (Amplified version). The International Standard Version states: “Look! The Lord has come with countless thousands of his holy ones.“
Most English translators used the future tense to translate this portion because they did not want to confuse the readers. Imagine those who only read the “prophetic perfect” translations, they may not understand the purpose of God in emphasizing His certainty of a future event, and so they may be puzzled and ask, “When did the Lord come back with thousands of His holy angels?” Once again, the purpose of the prophetic perfect tense is to indicate the certainty of the second coming of the Lord with His angels.

The Prophetic Perfect Tense of Ephesians 2:6
Paul apparently used the prophetic perfect tense when he wrote: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus“. Surprisingly, the majority of the English translations followed the past tense in the Greek text and did not use the future tense. And that is why many believers who have no idea about the idiom of the prophetic perfect struggle with this idea of “seated in the heavenly realms” while they are still here, very much alive. on earth. If only they knew that God is so confident of them sitting with Christ forever in heaven in their future that He inspired Paul to express it in the past tense with the prophetic perfect sense.

Most scholars will tell you that the concept that God has “already seated His people with Christ in the heavenly realm” as a past or present experience is not found in all the other epistles of Paul the Apostle. The more accurate explanation will have to be that this is a statement of God’s absolute confidence that His people will one day be seated eternally with Christ.

Now, you may have some doubts about this explanation. Let’s look at the fact – you are here on earth and not in the heavenly realms. You can only look up to what Colossians 3:1 has stated – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.“

Which Scripture Is Literal?
Now, you have to figure out which scripture is literal and which is prophetic perfect. If you accept Ephesians 2:6 as a literal “sitting in the heavenly realms now” then you will have to reject Colossians 3:1 which places you on earth, looking above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. However, since the Bible does not contradict itself, I would definitely accept Colossians 3:1 as literal and Ephesians 2:6 as an expression of the prophetic perfect tense.

Therefore, based upon Colossians 3:1, we are now living on earth, serving the kingdom of God and we are looking and seeking “above” where “Christ is seated right now in the heavenly realms”. Then, with our understanding of the prophetic perfect tense in Ephesians 2:6, we are confident that one day, in the future, we will definitely be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

Blood Covenant Part 2 – Why The Blood Is Important?

Before becoming a Christian, I was involved in worshipping Chinese deities and ancestors. As my father was the chairman of the Seventh Month Celebration and also the treasurer of a Hainanese association, I had seen my fair share of blood sacrifices. These were usually done with live roosters that got their throats slit and blood spilling all over the altars of the deities. That was my initial introduction to “applying the blood.”
Then recently, I heard from a believer that she was taught by her church to “apply the Blood of Jesus” every day. I have heard this phrase before and I wonder if the believer really understood the meaning of “applying the Blood of Jesus”. In my last blog post, “Blood Covenant Part 1: Do You Need To Apply The Blood Every Day”, I shared why you do not need to apply the blood all the time. In this post, I like to share the importance of blood in the sacrifices instructed by God.

Why Is The Blood Important?
Many long-time Christians will remember this hymn by Robert Lowry – “Nothing But The Blood of Jesus”. The first stanza alone is enough to give us the theological meaning and purpose of the blood of Jesus:
What can wash away my sin
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Blood Represents Life
The Bible says in Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” Therefore, for the blood to be shed, means death. The writer of Hebrews says: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).

Since antiquity, every culture has had a recorded history of religious blood sacrifices. The people of Israel have theirs too. In fact, you can read Leviticus 23 which contains a list of all the Jewish festivals that were related to blood sacrifice.

Since the time of Moses in the desert, these feasts were observed in the Tabernacle and later in the temple at Jerusalem. All these feasts carried within themselves deep prophetic meaning of future events and they all included sacrifices and offerings. The feasts were namely:
1. Passover – Leviticus 23:4-8
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread – Leviticus 23:6
3. Feast of Firstfruits – Leviticus 23:10
4. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) – Leviticus 23:16
5. Feast of Trumpets – Leviticus 23:24
6. Day of Atonement – Leviticus 16, 23:26-32
7. Feast of Tabernacles or Booths – Leviticus 23:34

As in every feast and festival, the priests and Levites had to sacrifice animals that were without blemish and these were representatives of the future Lamb of God – Jesus Christ. The early Jewish ceremonies were very complicating, with the slaughtering of animals, shedding of blood, and sprinkling of blood around the altar and other areas. It was a very messy and bloody era but it was necessary.

The Blood of Jesus
The most endearing meaning is that all these ceremonies and feasts pointed to the fulfillment of them all by one Person – Jesus Christ. We can see how much God loves us by His intentional leaving of clues in the Old Covenant that foreshadowed the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ. How God has hidden truths in the Old Testament and only to be revealed gloriously in the New Testament.

All the blood of unblemished animals being shed in the Old Testament was only a shadow of the future. The real blood of the sacrifice for the sins of mankind was given by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, being crucified on a cross.

The Covenant In The Blood of Jesus
Taking the imagery of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12, Jesus taught His disciples an object lesson. During the Last Supper (Matthew 26), Jesus held up a piece of bread and said to His disciples, “Take it and eat it, for this is My body” (Matthew 26:26). He then gave thanks and offered them the cup and said, “Each of you, drink from it, for this is My blood, which seals the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many ” (Matthew 26:27-28). Jesus would fulfill the meaning of these symbols by actually dying on the cross and having His body tortured and His blood spilled.

Paul the Apostel later recorded this event in 1 Corinthians 11:25 – “In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (Italic mine). There you have it – the blood is for the purpose of establishing a new covenant between God and you. So, whenever you “plead the blood” or “apply the blood”, you are actually reminding yourself or others of the fact that there is a blood covenant between God and you.

Pleading and Applying The Blood Of Jesus
Is it wrong to use the terms “plead the blood of Jesus” or “apply the blood of Jesus” upon your life? The answer is both “yes” and “no”. If “pleading” or “applying” the blood of Jesus is understood as a magical rendition of a powerful mantra, then you should not use these terms.

For example, one believer had made it a rule to have his wife “pleads the blood of Jesus” over their two young sons as she drops them off at school every morning. He himself “pleads the blood of Jesus” over his car and journey to work. Then he invited a pastor to come and “apply the blood of Jesus” over his new factory. During the dedication of his factory, the pastor buried four small metal boxes of scriptures in the four corners of the factory ground. And those scriptures were supposed to have supernatural power to prevent evil spirits from disturbing the premises. And in the event of any breach of the spiritual protective walls, the believer hung a big cross on the wall of his office to ward off evil spirits. Does that sound similar to what the Feng Shui masters or temple mediums are offering?

When Can We Plead The Blood of Jesus?
If I ever used the phrase, “plead the blood of Jesus”, I do not consider it a magic formula of words or the application of some invisible blood. Rather, I would be fully aware of the covenant that Jesus has established by His sacrifice on the cross. That covenant has a “spiritual dynamic” and its authority is far greater than our own human abilities and those of our spiritual enemy. The blood covenant has given us the privilege of being saved. Apart from that, it also gives us the power and authority to come against the enemy by nullifying all the demonic activities plus those of our flesh. So, when you say, “I plead the blood of Jesus”, you are bringing to your remembrance what Jesus has done at Calvary’s cross to give you victory in all situations. And the same time, you are reminding the demons that they are defeated foes. This is, of course, unnecessary because they know that they have been thoroughly defeated and waiting for the day of Judgement.
Here is a video teaching on the Blood of Jesus. I trust that it will help you appreciate and understand deeper the meaning of the blood covenant that God has with all of us.

Blood Covenant Part 1 – Do You Need To Apply The Blood Every Day?

Have you ever heard of declarations such as, “I apply the blood of Jesus over my family,” or “I apply the blood of Jesus over my marriage,” or “I apply the blood of Jesus over my business”? One popular preacher says that you must “apply the blood of Jesus” by speaking it aloud so that others can audibly hear you. The reason is that your voice would “activate the blood”. Then he says that believers should “plead the blood of Jesus” in every area of his life, and he recommends to do so, especially in the financial area. In this way, the believer will have a breakthrough in his life and never need to live in poverty. Is this understanding of the blood of Jesus biblically correct? Is there really such a thing as applying the blood?

Where Did This Idea Come From?
The original idea came from Exodus 12:7 – “Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.” The context was during the time of slavery in Egypt when God sent Moses to set the Israelites free. God was about to send the last plague which was the death angel against the Egyptians. All the children of Israel in Goshen were to stay indoors with their doors being applied with the blood of the Passover lamb:

But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:13

The blood was applied with hyssop (a herbal plant from the mint family that apparently has cleansing, medicinal, and flavoring properties) on the lintel that was across the top of the door and the two side posts. There was to be no blood on the threshold because no one was allowed to trample on the blood of the Passover lamb. So, the three spots, where the blood was, formed a shape like a covering. When the death angel passed over the land, only those families in the houses with the covering of the blood of the Passover lamb will be protected. Thus this idea of applying the blood and activating a protective shield is adopted and taught by some preachers some thirty years ago. Since then, many believers of the Charismatic persuasion have been taught to “apply the blood of the Lamb and activate the power of the blood” upon their lives.

Do You Need To Activate The Blood?
One notable preacher says that the blood in the basin is of no use. It has to be applied to the doorframes for the blood to be “activated”. Thus, he claims that even though Jesus shed His blood on the cross, it is of no use unless you “activate” it. As the hyssop is used to apply the blood on the door frame, it is, therefore, an activating agent. Today, you are no longer using real hyssop and the real blood of the lamb. So, you have to find your “spiritual hyssop” to activate the “blood of the Lamb of God”.

Then promptly, the preacher refers to Revelation 12:11 – “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony….” How convenient this verse seems to fit into the preacher’s idea of the missing “spiritual hyssop”. He points out that in this verse, the believers are using the blood of the Lamb to “conquer” the devil with the “applicator” or “spiritual hyssop” which is the “word of their testimony”. A new idea has emerged and that is you need to “apply the blood and activate it by your own confession”. Another common slogan that evolved from this idea is to “plead the blood” (To be discussed in another blog post).

What Is The Actual Meaning?
First and foremost, the blood of the Lamb is the GROUND or BASIS for the believers to triumph over the devil. It is the REASON why they are victorious and not because they use the blood like a weapon or an instrument of warfare.

We know that the word “blood” is a short form for the “covenant of blood”. It has never been referred merely to the biological blood that includes hemoglobin in the red blood cells. No, it is never about the red fluid that flows in our bodies unless it is related to a covenant. A covenant is strictly not a weapon but a relational agreement. The Old Testament has the same idea that covenant is only for relational purposes – the blood sacrifice was always made in connection with God’s covenant and no blood alone was ever used as a weapon to fight the enemies.

How Do You Apply A Blood Covenant?
You don’t have to apply a blood covenant because it is already a “done deal”. The day that you surrendered your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, and simultaneously, you recognized that Jesus had shed His blood and died on the cross for your sins, He washed away your sins. The covenant between God and you had been established and you are under His protection and blessings. From then on, you live in obedience as a faithful child of God within the blood covenant.

It is like a marriage covenant. How do you practically “apply” it? By being faithful to your spouse after you have signed the wedding certificate and wedding ceremony. Do you wake up every morning, and declare that you are applying the marriage covenant in the mighty name of Jesus? No, of course not. If you were to keep doing that every day, your spouse might suspect that you are crazy.

Why are some believers still doing this daily ritual of applying the blood to themselves? They do not have to do that anymore. The blood covenant of Jesus Christ is sealed confirmed by God with the giving of the Holy Spirit.

“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

What Does It Mean To Be Sealed With The Holy Spirit?
In antiquity, letters were sent out with a seal of the writer upon the wax. This method is used, even today, in some countries for their contracts, certificates, and important documents. In farming communities. the flocks are often sealed or branded so as to show to which farmers the animals belonged.

The Bible says that Abraham “received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.” (Romans 4:11).

A seal is a mark of ownership and God used it quite often to indicate who were his chosen ones. In Ezekiel 9:4-6, God asked His angel to put a seal upon the people whom he approved and kept them protected from the judgment of His anger.

The Holy Spirit is the seal that God has given to the believers in this New Covenant. If you have been born again, the Holy Spirit has already indwelled or taken up residence in your heart. You are forever sealed in this covenant with God and identified as His children. He has prepared an inheritance for you because you are the heir of God. Read what Paul says in Romans 8:15-17

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.” For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ, we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Since The Holy Spirit is given to confirm that you belong to God, you now have the fullest assurance that on that basis, you can move from victory to victory. You have no need to go through the ritual of “applying the blood” anymore. You are already under the “blood” and that is to say, you are already protected by the blood covenant that Jesus has established on the cross. You may go through trials and difficulties, but the promised Holy Spirit is there to help you. One day, you will see God face to face and enjoy your inheritance as an heir of your Father in heaven.

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 4 (The Basis Of This New Teaching)

Today, the topic of generational curses or generational sins is prevalent if you get involved in the healing and deliverance ministry. (This is not taught in the Elijah Challenge or Healing Encounter Ministry). In the marketplace, there are literally hundreds of books teaching that your present problems are the results of what your ancestors did in the past. Coming from the Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions, I am naturally exposed to such teaching promoted by many popular leaders of our movements. The truth of the matter is that I have never heard of this teaching until the early 1990s. It might have been there earlier but it did not catch on that fast. Now, fast forward to 2022, this teaching is not only popular but has become almost like a “fundamental truth” in the belief system of most Pentecostal and Charismatic believers who have been saved during those last 30 years.

Does The Bible Really Teach This?
Would there be some truths in this new teaching? Do I go along with the teaching even if I discovered discrepancies in its exegesis and hermeneutics? How am I to reconcile with the fact that top Pentecostal / Charismatic leaders are preaching and teaching this topic? Entire series of books has been devoted to teaching you how to repent and renounce all the sins of your ancestors. What about the proper interpretation of Scripture that I have learned from Professor Gordon Fee during my seminary days? I remember one statement that he made very succinctly in class and that was “the Bible will never say what it never did say!” Can I ignore this fact, and embrace this teaching because it is popular? My conscience does not allow me to do so because the Christian faith can only remain true to the teaching of Jesus Christ if we “believe” (faith), and “practice” (faith in action) by the correct interpretation and understanding of Scripture.

During my forty years of ministry, I have observed what Professor Fee has pointed out in his book about people who attempt to outsmart others by coming out with all kinds of unique interpretations, claiming them to be from the Holy Spirit, angels, or even some departed saints. Professor Fee wrote that… “Interpretation that aims at, or thrives on, uniqueness can usually be attributed to pride (an attempt to “outclever” the rest of the world), a false understanding of spirituality (wherein the Bible is full of deeply buried truths waiting to be mined by the spiritually sensitive person with special insight), or vested interests (the need to support a theological bias, especially in dealing with texts that seem to go against that bias).”
Gordon D. Fee, How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth.

The Basis For This New Generational Curses Teaching
There is not a trace of such teaching in Church history until about 30 years ago. What is the basis for such teaching? We can easily trace to the misinterpretation of God’s Word. The most common scripture verses used by the proponents of the generational curses are from Exodus 20:5-6; 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; and Deuteronomy 5:9-10. The reason is because of a warning placed by the Lord to the Children of Israel against disobedience and unfaithfulness with words such as “visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children . . . to the third and the fourth generations” (KJV).

The meaning of these verses has been changed from God’s warning of the repercussion for disobedience to become generational curses. From the correct meaning of bad generational influence to another totally foreign meaning and that is the descendants will acquire the accumulated sins and also punishments on behalf of all their ancestors. If that is true then what about this scripture that “the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffers for the iniquity of the son.” (Ezekiel 18:20, cf. Jeremiah 31:30). Why is this clarifying verse not taken into consideration?
What about the promise of Jesus in John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” How about what Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.” Paul was especially concerned not of any ancestral sins or generational curses but our personal sins that will put us back to the “yoke of slavery”.

Satan Added Into The Teaching
The next thing that the proponents of this teaching do is to add Satan into the picture. They say that since God sees you as being guilty, not just for your own sins, but also the sins of your ancestors, then if you did not repent and renounce on their behalf, you would have given the devil the legal rights to attack you. You and your family will suffer misfortune, failed marriages, violence, sicknesses, addictions, impotence, failures, poverty, and all kinds of unimaginable disasters and crises, etc.

Aren’t all these frightening? What about the blood of Jesus that was shed for your sins? Well, the proponents say that the blood is there but you must take an ADDITIONAL STEP to appropriate the blood by removing the curses that you have inherited from your sinful ancestors. Accepting Jesus as your personal Savior by confessing, repenting, and renouncing your sins is not enough. Being born-again is not enough. Even though you are now in a different bloodline is not enough. They say that you still have to break all these generational curses. And so, you run to a so-called expert or minister to help you in a ritual of repenting and renouncing all the sins of your ancestors.

The Rise of A New Breed of Experts
These self-proclaimed experts will see visions for you, listen to God’s advice for you, and reveal all the generational curses that are inundating you. They will lead you in an elaborate ritual of listing the sins of your ancestors all the way back to four generations. You will need to confess the sins of those sinful ancestors, even they are not your own sins. You will be led to renounce all these sins and some ministers will even ask you to cut the shackles of generational curses by using your hands to strike the air with a cutting movement. You are to declare and decree that all these curses have been cut and broken in the name of Jesus. Finally, you are to repeat the prayer led by the minister or recite a recommended prayer. Are all these really biblical? Do we see Jesus or the Apostles doing and teaching these?

Personally, I do not know where all the “experts” get all these from. However, they actually reminded me of the time when my grandmother visited a Chinese temple medium to do certain rituals to get rid of all the calamities in our family. The medium went into a trance and declared the reasons for our misfortune. According to the interpreter for the medium, one of our ancestors had done a very cruel deed in the past and so our family was paying the penalty for it. Then a specific instruction was given about what type of peace-offering we have to give to that offended soul, which corner of the house we have placed certain sacred objects, and what talismans we have to paste on the doorposts, where we should have an extra altar, how many joss-sticks to burn, and what chant to utter when doing so. Very elaborate and very convincing because subsequently peace returned to the family and calamities were circumvented.

The danger that I see is that these so-called experts in handling generational curses would become “personal priests or mediums” to many who are gullible enough to seek their help. This happened before and will happen again. This is the End Times and many people would be deceived into this type of fruitless pursuit.

More New Methods And Rituals
Then as though this type of ritual is not enough, popular “teachers” keep coming out with new methods of breaking the generational curses. The latest approach is to go to the “Courts of Heaven” and get rid of your ancestral sins and generational curses. The proponents of this latest method claim that at the “Courts of Heaven”, you get to assert your “legal rights” in order to get rid of all these curses. When you get a favorable verdict from God then you are free from further harassment of such ancient curses and the attacks of the devil. Once again, we question whether this is a biblical approach and where in the New Testament we have been advised to go to the “Courts of Heaven”?

Talking about new rituals, that reminded me of the 1980s when I was pastoring in Singapore. A couple of self-styled ministers there developed a deliverance ritual such as getting people to stand in positions to form a cross. Then the officiating minister stood in the center of the cross. He apparently had these special eyes to see demons attacking. And so he shouted that he had spotted demons from a particular direction flying at them. He wanted all to be alert and ready to fight the demons. Then he commanded for all to draw out their invisible swords which were earlier placed on their backs. Then they had to say “siang” to mimic the sound of the invisible swords being drawn out. There was actually nothing in their hands but these participants had to cut the air above them with their invisible swords to kill the demons. This method of destroying the demons is not only unbiblical but hilarious. This is the result of an over fertile imagination stimulated by some Hong Kong kungfu movies. If I am not wrong, this method is still being used by some today.

The Tedious Rituals To Get Rid Of The Generational Curses
Let’s assume that the teaching of generational curses is accurate and biblical because there are many testimonies from practitioners to convince you that such a method works. You would read that this person or his family has been set free from generational curses and how happy they are now. However, when you probe deeper, you will discover a DILEMMA – with the lineages from both your parents and then from both sets of grandparents who in turn, inherited generational curses from both their parents (your great-parents) who inherited from both sets of great-great-grandparents, etc, you would have a long list of ancestors with their long lists of sins. Like one of the teachers of generational curses states that you have a “long shadow from the past” like a “long evil arm of curses” that grab hold of you so that you are not blessed but cursed. That is the reason why this generational curses teaching creates more bondages than setting people free. There will always be a doubt that maybe you have not dealt with some missing or hidden ancestral sins.

Why Some Still Believe In Generational Curses?
This is one puzzle that I have been trying to solve. Since believers are now in the spiritual bloodline of the second or last Adam (Jesus) then why are so many still living in the cursed bloodline of the first Adam? Then it dawned on me that people are thinking that their weaknesses are all results of the generational curses instead of the original sin nature given to us by Adam.

For example, I used to have an anger management problem even after accepting Christ. That’s the result of my “Sin” nature and not so much a curse. I had to go through the sanctifying process of the Holy Spirit and learn how to exercise my self-control. My legal rights as a child of God have been acquired at the cross and therefore, I am now free to become the person whom God wants me to be. However, that sanctification is a long process. The earlier I die to myself, the earlier I would become alive to Christ, and the earlier the Holy Spirit can transform me to be like Christ. When I learn to fully surrender to the Lord, the uncontrollable rage no longer exists. No curse was broken except that I have matured in Christ.

What About Past Demons?
For Christians who are still under the influence of those demons that have crept in before they accepted Jesus, the only option is to cast them out with the kingly authority and in the mighty name of Jesus. There is no question that these believers are fully saved because they are justified by the death of Christ on the cross. They have the fullest legal rights as children of God and so these demons cannot harass them anymore. The believers who have been affected, do not need to go through the tedious ritualistic process of repenting for their ancestors and renouncing their sins. All they need to do is to shut the door by repenting of their own sins and not going back to them again. By living a repented life, all believers should never need to be victims of the devil. They, instead, can become kingdom warriors to attack the enemy by applying their kingly authority.

You Are Not Under Any Curse
As long as you do not choose rebellion against God, nothing of your ancestors is going to cling to you and make you pay. Listen to what Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 31:29-30
In those days people will no longer say, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.”
Jesus has taken all the curses away from you at Calvary cross. When you accepted Him as your Savior, you are born again into His bloodline. You do not need to repent and renounce the sins of your ancestors to be a part of this bloodline. Jesus did it for you and His Blood is powerful enough to redeem you from any curse. The Bible is clear that everyone is to be responsible for his own sins and you are not responsible for the sins of your ancestors. You are definitely not under any curse.

If you have missed out on the previous articles about Generational Curses, please check out the following:
Understanding Generational Curses – Part 1 (Adamic Curse Versus Generational Curse)

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 1 (Adamic Curse Versus Generational Curse)

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 2 (Does God Punish Sons for the Sins of Their Fathers?)

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 2 (Does God Punish Sons for the Sins of Their Fathers?)

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 3 (The Danger of Witch Hunt)

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 3 (The Danger of Witch Hunt)

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 2 (Does God Punish Sons for the Sins of Their Fathers?)

Does God visit the sins of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations? (Exodus 20:5-6). As part of the Ten Commandments, God seems to say that He would do exactly that. In Exodus 34:7, God revealed Himself to Moses, and gave the same warning that He would visit “the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation”. When one cross-examines Leviticus 26:39, the sins of the fathers would definitely affect future generations – “Because of their iniquity, and also because of the iniquities of their fathers they shall rot away like them.”

Then we read other prophets who recorded that “the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.” (Ezekiel 18:20, cf. Jeremiah 31:30). How are we to reconcile these two opposing ideas? The coherence of these biblical texts would help us in our understanding of the character of God – Is God really a loving Father or just a tyrannical despot? This information will also help us to counsel people who are loaded with guilt not only from their own sins but the sins of their ancestors.

DO WE REALLY HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR ANCESTORS’ SINS?
The proponents of “generational curses” argue that verses such as Exodus 20:5-6; 34:7; and Leviticus 26:39 are clear pieces of evidence of the generational curses, being placed by God upon a family, up to the third and the fourth generation. So, according to these proponents, if you were born into a family with such generational curses, then it’s just as what the world would say, “tough luck!”

You will be responsible for the sins of your ancestors whether you like it or not. You may scream that it is unfair and unjustified for you to bear the consequences of your ancestors’ sins but you still have to pay the price. The only way that you can stop the “generational curses’ is by “going back” to identify every sin of your ancestors and renounce each sin. If you have no idea what those sins might be, then you have to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal them to you.

Can this be true? Do we really have to do that? Does God require us to renounce the sins of our ancestors? Nowhere else in the New Testament requires us to seek out every sin of the ancestors. Jesus never taught that and neither did the Apostles. Where did this idea come from?

THOSE WHO HATE THE LORD
Let’s see if the Lord requires all believers to do the ritual of renouncing the individual sins of their forefathers? Returning to those scriptures again – “I the Lord…visit the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5; cf. Numbers 14:18) and compare with the verse in Ezekiel 18:20 – “the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.”

With careful evaluation, we can safely conclude that the descendants who are being judged are those who have been influenced by the sins of their forefathers. As the Bible is clear that temptation alone is not sin, therefore the descendants would be judged solely for their sinful actions. These descendants would be like their forefathers, they hate God and so they are rightfully being judged or cursed.

In short, those who hate God will be judged and they will pay the price. Thus the sins of the forefathers would have indeed visited the descendants – sinful generation after sinful generation because those sins are being expressed and manifested in the lives of the descendants. Ultimately, the ungodly children will be judged according to their own sins and not the sins of their forefathers as mentioned by Prophet Jeremiah – “Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.” (Jeremiah 31:30).

THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD
How about those who love the Lord? Since the descendants are being judged for their own sins, that means that we would be judged based upon our own sins or faith. If the price of sins has been paid by Jesus at Calvary cross, then we should be living in the zone of victory and blessings.

In Exodus 20:5, God said in the second half of the verse that He would show “steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Wow. Isn’t that wonderful!

In Deuteronomy 7:9, we read the confirmation of God’s promise to those who love God and walk in His way – “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” So, even in the Old Testament, people did get the promise of a thousand generations, if they were to honor God and keep His commandments. What about the believers in the New Testament?

A THOUSAND GENERATIONS
King David says that God will always stand by his covenant – “the commitment He made to a thousand generations”. (Psalm 105:8). For the true followers of Christ, this promise or covenant of love (Exodus 20:5) for a thousand generations has been given to us in the form of a New Covenant because of the obedience of Christ.

Paul declares. “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8). In Romans 5:18, we read, “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” (NLT). Our blessings will not just be a thousand generations of God-fearing descendants but a life of worship in eternity.

ARE BORN-AGAIN BELIEVERS STILL UNDER THE CURSE?
Therefore, how can we who have been Born Again still be under the judgement or curses similar to those who are living in godless disobedience?

Shouldn’t we be exempted since we are not “those who hate the Lord”? Why is there teaching about believers still being chained to the sins of their past and sinful forefathers? Why must we be asked to dig up all our past sins and those of our forefathers and renounce them one by one when Jesus has already paid for all our sins? Why is the Blood of Jesus not able to break all these yokes and we need a “second grace” of special prayer to break them?

Do we really need to renounce every specific sin of our past and also that of our ancestors? What happens if we were to miss one or two? Wouldn’t that make this whole exercise a failure and we would still be in bondage? Wouldn’t this approach undermine the cleansing of sin through the blood of Jesus in the general repentance of sin during salvation? Having to have another set of rituals to target specific sins in the past and also those of the ancestors only points to the fact that the blood of Christ alone is not powerful enough to free the believer from the power of Satan. That is of course a ridiculous notion.

ARE WE STILL IN THE ADAMIC BLOODLINE?
Most of the teachings about believers still under some kinds of generational curses comes from the idea that we are still stuck with the bloodline of first Adam. This Adamic bloodline of Original Sin is more of a corporate problem than an individual one. We have to understand that the Original Sin is not primarily about the sinful actions of individuals but rather the nature or condition of sin in every one of us.

That is to say, everyone is born with a fallen nature or sin nature. David acknowledges his frailty, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5). Paul exclaims in Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and explains further in Romans 5:12 – “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned….”

A DIFFERENT BLOODLINE
In John chapter 1, we read, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

To be born of God is to be Born Again. Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3 – “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’. (John 3:5-7).

That is the good news: As the citizens of the kingdom of God, we now have a different bloodline and are a part of the eternal family of God, through the bloodline of the second or last Adam – Jesus Christ.

YOU ARE NOT UNDER ANY GENERATIONAL CURSE
Many people got stuck here when they were told that they need to renounce all the sins of their ancestors so as to be set free from their generational curses. However, most of them have no idea what their ancestors had done. And that put that false guilt and condemnation upon them. Maybe they are still under the generational curses. Those who have been adopted have been told that they are at a disadvantage. Why? Because many do not even know who their ancestors were. All these add guilt trip and fear into the life of the believer. Instead of being free in Christ, they experience additional bondage.
Today, we want to affirm that all these are absolutely false. We are now of a different bloodline – the blood of Jesus. We are all free from any generational curses. Remember – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36).

Understanding Generational Curses – Part 1 (Adamic Curse Versus Generational Curse)

Have you ever encountered a family where the grandfather was an alcoholic, the father has the same problem and now the son seems to be drinking like a fish? How about the grandfather who died of heart disease, the father also died of the same disease and now the son is suffering from heart disease? How about the grandfather who failed miserably in his business, and the father is bankrupt and now the son is in financial bondage? The most familiar so-called “evidence” of generational curses is that certain negative behavioral traits such as anger management issues, suicidal tendencies, adultery, incest, and other moral failures seem to run deep in the family from generation to generation.

Are these issues part of the “generational curses” as believed by so many? The answer is yes and no, depending on how and what you understand about “generational curses”.

What Is A Generational Curse?
A generational curse is deemed to be a continual pattern of negative behaviors, physical ailments, or tragic events that are being passed from generation to generation. The most common reference to the “evidence” of the generational curse is the family diseases that pass down through the generations. Many believers, who continue to live under the bondage of sins believe that they have inherited all these tendencies to sin from their forefathers and so they cannot help but sin. That sounds a lot like the result of the Adamic curse because of the Fall rather than the generational curses. Could it be that most believers have mistaken the Adamic curse to be generational curses?

Inherited Diseases
One of the common symptoms mentioned in the teaching of the “generational curses” are the inherited diseases and infirmities that seem to run in the family. For example. I used to suffer from an inherited genetic disorder known as ankylosing spondylitis (The Lord has miraculously healed me from this chronic pain caused by a fused spine and I am now practically pain-free). My father had the same dilapidating disease and had to be hospitalized. I had no idea if my paternal grandfather had it or not because he passed away before he was even 40 years old. (This autoimmune disease becomes highly active when the patient reaches 40 years of age). Many other families struggle with inherited illnesses such as cancer, weak heart condition, diabetes, high blood pressure, mental disorder, etc.

Breaking Generational Curses?
For the proponents of “generational curses” such medical conditions would be counted as spiritual bondages or a part of the generational curses. And they advocate a ritual whereby you verbally break the curses. You will notice there are many different non-biblical methods such as drawing up the family tree known as a genogram. Then, the person is encouraged to go back generation after generation and “break” every curse. Some offer special prayers to break these generational curses while others go to the “courts of heaven” to appropriate their legal rights against the curses. All these non-biblical approaches are new and we have never read about them in church history. However, they are very popular among many believers and some vowed that these approaches are really effective. It could be a placebo effect because there is no precedent of such rituals in the Bible.

Once again, I reiterate that these discrepancies in life are the results of the Adamic curse but not the accumulated sins of later ancestors that created the “generational curses”. And I also believe that if there are sins in our lives, we can repent, if there is a real demon we can cast it out, and if there are diseases we can heal. All these can be done in the mighty name of Jesus, with His kingly authority that is given to us. Let’s find out what the Adamic curse is all about.

The Adamic Curse – Hereditary Depravity
In Genesis 3:16-19, Adam and Eve disobeyed and sinned against God. As Adam was the federal head of mankind, his disobedience brought a curse of hereditary depravity upon all mankind. The curse resulted in several discrepancies in the order of God on earth:

• Satan became the ruler of this world
• He is seeking to destroy mankind
• Women will give birth in pain
• Marriage will have strife and conflict
• The land is cursed and does not produce crops easily
• There will be thorns and thistles everywhere
• In order to survive, mankind will have to struggle
• Human beings will grow old and weak
• Diseases and pain will be a part of mankind
• Death will come to all and the bodies will return to dust

Hope In The Midst Of The Curse
In the midst of all these negative reactions, God gave us one promise of redemption and that is found in Genesis 3:15 – “And I will put enmity between you [Satan] and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel.” You’ll notice the word is “Seed” and not “seeds” – that “Seed” is our Lord Jesus Christ. He had come to crush the head of Satan by allowing His heel to be bruised at Calvary cross. The Bible says in 1 John 3:8 – “For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Are You Still Under The Adamic Curse?
When we understand that all “generational curses” are actually the results of the Adamic Curse, then we must find how we can come out of this major bondage. Jesus used the illustration of a slave being set free when He said, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36). That is the power of salvation accorded by the Lord. He also said that if whosoever holds on to His teaching, then”you know the truth, the truth will set you free.” ( John 8:32). All these words reveal that Jesus has set us free from the slavery of the Adamic curse and that we are no longer under its bondage anymore. Do we need a set of special rituals to set us free? Do we need to go back to generations of ancestors and break every sin that they had committed? No! The Son of God is powerful enough to set us free from all sins and also from these superstitious activities.

The Price Has Been Paid
Whether you believe in the “generational curses” or the “Adamic curse”, the great news is that Jesus has paid the price for the curses of those who have accepted Him as their Savior. Sadly, those who do not accept His salvation are still under the Adamic curse and if you prefer, generational curses.

The truth is that Christ was made a curse for all who are His disciples and so we are now freed from the curses of our own sins and also those of our forefathers. Once again, the words of Paul the Apostle found in Galatians 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole”. Peter says that Jesus came to bear “our sins in His body on the tree that we might live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). The cross is an important factor. When Christ died, He covered us with His blood and nullified the sins, and curses of all who believe in Him. (Ephesians 2:8).

Jesus Broke The Adamic Curse
The ultimate result of the Adamic Curse is death. May I repeat that the Bible says in Galatians 3:13 that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ). When Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life,” what He meant was that He had come to reverse this curse. Paul says, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). He also adds, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

You Are Born Again
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:50 – “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” If you are still flesh and blood, following the lineage of first Adam, how are you going to inherit the kingdom of God? In order to inherit the kingdom of God what must happen? Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:3 – “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” So, you have your answer – once you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are “born again”. The phrase “born again” literally in the Greek means “born from above. The new birth happens when God bestows eternal life to you when you accept Jesus as your Savior. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). You have become a child of God through your trust in the name of Jesus (John 1:12-13).

You Are Of A Different Bloodline
When you are born again, you have a different bloodline of the Second or Last Adam who is Jesus Christ. Jesus affirms in John 3:5-6, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” You are not in the bondage of a so-called “generational curse” because the simple truth is that there is no condemnation or curse for those who are in Christ. (Romans 8:1). You don’t have to go to any “courts of heaven” to remind the King of kings or the devil that you have been legally set free and that you are now of the royal bloodline.

Additional Rituals To Dissolve The Curses?
According to the proponents of the generational curses, the death and resurrection of Jesus only made it legal for us to get out of the curse but they claim that it is up to us to enforce it. They believe that legally you are free but practically you are not. The idea that they conjure up is an image of the judge who renders a verdict but that the judge does not come down from his bench to execute his verdict. That means that there are rituals of enforcement we have to perform to dissolve the curses. All these sound very logical except that they are not biblical. Their illustration of the judge is also not accurate – the judge does not need to physically step out of his bench to set the prisoner free. The whole court system is under his authority. With one word of instruction, the sheriffs or police on duty would uncuff the prisoner and set him free. There is no need for another special ritual to appropriate the verdict.

Moreover, nowhere in the Bible teaches additional rituals to break curses. You don’t have to break any curse by yourself because Jesus has broken the curses for you. He does not only make it legal but enforces it for you. You will remember that Jesus has been given all power and authority in heaven and on earth to break all your bondages and curses (Matthew 28:18). And He has sent the Holy Spirit to live within you.

After you are saved, then you go through the sanctifying process by the Holy Spirit. This process is not for the purpose of breaking the Adamic curse or generational curses. It is the sanctifying process of spiritual transformation. Any demons that are afflicting you can be cast out, any inherited diseases can be healed in the mighty name of Jesus and the believers can repel all temptations with the help of the Holy Spirit.

In the next few articles, we shall look objectively at some of the pet scriptures offered by the proponents of generational curses and see if they actually support their premise. We will also study why this new teaching of generational curses has taken root and becomes very popular.

Here is a video teaching about how to overcome witchcraft, black magic, and curses.