'Generational curses' began with Adam's disobedience. His disobedience brought curses upon man (men and women - mankind), women, and the earth (Genesis 3:1-19).

The curse is passed through the man. Since Adam, one man has not suffered this curse: JESUS. Jesus was born under the power of the Holy Spirit through a woman (Luke 1:35) - this is why Jesus was not born into sin...yet WE ARE!

1 Corinthians 15:45-57 (KJV) - Jesus came to deliver mankind of the curse of Adam that separates God and man. Through the Blood of Jesus, man can be freed from this curse. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Though we still live in a cursed body and world, believers of Jesus will (one day) be reunited with God in a new heaven and earth - REDEEMED from the sting of the grave and death (the second death - though some of us may not experience death).

When we speak of 'generational' curses, we often think of the various sins that are passed down through each family generation - beginning with the sin of Adam. Now, if you understand that the curses of the man (father) are passed to the children, check this out:

Exodus 20:4-6 (KJV) - Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

The sin of the father is 'transferred' upon the children to the fourth generation. The sin (or iniquity) refers to an action (illegal by God's standards) committed by the father...

Let's take King David...though he is considered a man after God's own heart, his sins (actions) of promiscuity and murder is found among his children (2 Samuel 13-15; 1 Kings 11:1-13).

Just because a 'generational curse' (or sin) is passed down, you can choose not to act upon it. King David's children had a choice to act on the 'curse' or to live according to the covenant and statues of the Lord. We have the same choice today. You don't have to drink alcohol, have sex with people that are not your spouse, commit murder, etc. (as your father may have done). These are all choices. You don't have to sin. You don't have to follow in the footsteps of your father just because the flesh says so - crucify it!

One of the curses passed down through my family is promiscuity. As a Christian (Minister, Married), I have to make a conscious choice EVERYDAY (almost every second) not to look at women lustfully, commit adulterous acts, etc. The choice may be hard on my flesh, but through Christ, it is not impossible for me to live as He desires.

Exodus 20:6 (KJV) ...And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Through my faith in Christ, I am shown mercy (forgiveness of sins and even healing - Matthew 9:1-8). Through my obedience and love, I am shown mercy. The salvation aspect of mercy cannot be transferred unto the children for they must place their faith in Jesus in their own 'right.' But I do believe that as the head of my household, my family is shown mercy for my wife and I are one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

You may live in a cursed body and live in a cursed world, but be encouraged that a new Heaven and earth will be given unto those whose name is in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21). This place has no curses, sorrow, death, or pain - for the former things (OF THIS LIFE) are passed away (Revelation 21:4).