Some teachers involved in deliverance
ministries believe that individuals can "inherit" misfortune, and a
tendency to specific types of moral weaknesses and sins, from their
ancestors by what is referred to as a generational curse. Some view this
as a demon to whom is given power to harass the descendants of
individuals who were particularly given to certain kinds of sins.
Others
view it as more of a general "spiritual inheritance." It is not
believed to have any connection with actual physical or chemical causes,
such as a genetic tendency to alcoholism. It is rather viewed
as a
completely spiritual issue. Under this theory, therefore, some people
are "predestined" to be prone to commit certain kinds of sins, or to
have certain moral weaknesses.
The solution offered is to have a
deliverance ministry "discern" what generational curses may be involved
in the life of the individual seeking help. The individual then
renounces the curses specifically. For those who believe the cause is an
actual demon, the deliverance ministry will attempt to "cast it out."