Mercy is the biblical term for not getting the punishment we deserve. But mercy does not do away with consequences. Even though God is ‘longsuffering and abundant in mercy,’ He reserves the right to visit the consequences of sin on future generations.

“The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’” Numbers 14:18

Even though David was forgiven for his double sins of adultery and murder, the consequence of his sins would be the death of the child conceived in immorality.

And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.’ 2 Samuel 12:13-14

Mercy spares you from punishment. But it doesn’t always spare you or others from the consequences of your sin.

Old Testament doctrine: “Generational curse”

In Romans, chapters 5 through 7, the apostle Paul argues that human sin and death are a corporate problem rather than an individual one. He tells us that “one man’s sin [Adam] brought guilt to all people” (Romans 5:18) and that “sin entered the world because one man sinned. And death came because of sin” (Romans 5:12).

This is why each one of us remains a “slave of sin” unless we’re “set free” by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:20-22).

So here’s what the “generational curse” is really about, the skeletons in your closet weren’t put there by your dad or your grandmother or your great-aunt. They’re the work of your First Parents. You were in Adam when he broke God’s commandment. You were condemned with him. But that’s not the end of the story — praise God!

Just as you were in Adam when he fell from grace, so now, if you believe in Jesus, you are in Christ through faith. This is what Paul means when he says that “one man [Jesus] did obey. That is why many people will be made right with God.” (Romans 5:19).

To get out from under the “generational curse,” you have to be grafted into a whole new family tree (Romans 11:11-24).

New Testament teaching: Salvation is individual

There is only one standard God uses to judge the world and determine who is saved and who isn’t: faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible confirms this in several passages, including:“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” 1 John 5:12,

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” John 3:17-18

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah wrote 600 years before the birth of Christ, and he anticipated this New Testament perspective. That ultimately, you will answer for your own actions:

“In those days people will no longer say, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes. But the children have a bitter taste in their mouths.’ Instead, everyone will die for their own sin. The one who eats sour grapes will taste how bitter they are” Jeremiah 31:29-30

Every individual is responsible for their own choices

In the end, the only choice that really counts is how you answer this question: “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22, ESV)

Will you reject Him? Then you will receive just punishment and second death in the Lake of Fire. It won’t be because of the skeletons in your family closet. It will be because you didn’t embrace the gift of God’s forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ (John 1:17, John 3:16).

Or will you receive Him? You will reign with Jesus and the Saints for one thousand years (Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom) and then after the White Throne judgement with Jesus and our Heavenly Father on a new Earth where only the righteous dwell. If so, it won’t be because you somehow managed to avoid the mistakes that previous generations made. It will be because you accepted God’s merciful offer of unmerited deliverance and salvation.

No one can make that decision for you. It’s your decision to make. Even the worst offender in a long line of sinners can be saved if they turn to Christ.

Set theology aside for a moment. Common sense tells us that behavior and attitude problems tend to run in families. Just like physical characteristics of height, weight, hair color, and complexion.

In the same way, certain types of sin can pass from generation to generation. This is particularly true of addictive behaviors such as alcoholism. Similarly, physical and sexual abuse might become ingrained in the psychological legacy of certain families.

However, none of this should be viewed in terms of an irreversible “curse.” Spiritual deliverance is available to everyone who sincerely calls upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). And there are many sources of professional assistance for those who need practical help — pastors, therapists, counselors, and doctors.