Generational Curses? Part 2

One of the most prevalent verses used for the belief on generational curses is found in Exo 34

“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” - Exo 34:6-7

We were taught that in the Old Covenant, our good and loving God would judge the sins of the fathers upon their children, up to the fourth or even further generations.

Is this really the truth and the context of this passage?

According to the Jewish Targum, the context of this passage is about ungodly fathers and their rebellious children. While this may be a good argument, nothing is better than the Scriptures itself.

You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those WHO HATE ME. - Exo 20:5 (emphasis added)

The context of this is the Old Covenant Law. In the Old Covenant, God related to men according to the Law. For that was what Israel wanted, though God had wanted to relate to them based on sonship. In the New Covenant, God related to men according to Jesus.

It is clear in this passage that the Law would judge the sins of the fathers AND the sins of their children because the children followed the fathers' ungodly example of HATING (rejecting) God by bowing down to worship other gods. It has to do with role modeling.

It is not talking about God judging the innocent children because of their fathers and grandfathers! In fact, we can see throughout the Old Testament that when the next generation (from the same family who sinned) walked in faith, God blessed them!

"God does not violate His Word. But He is pretty comfortable violating our understanding of His Word." - Bill Johnson 

God does not contradict His Word. How do I know that? Look at the following passages:

Deut 24:16 says, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death FOR HIS OWN SIN." (emphasis added)

Ezekiel 18:20 - "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."

Jer 31:30 - "But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge."

2 Kings 14:6 - ...according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, in which the Lord commanded, saying, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; but a person shall be put to death for his own sin."

There is a difference between responsibility and consequence. God, in the Old Covenant, did not place the responsibility of the father's sins upon his children and his children's children, etc.

While there was consequence because of the father's sin, each generation was clearly responsible for his own sin.

God did not place generational curses on the future generations because of the fathers' iniquity.

In the next part, we will see how Jesus came to confirm this in the New Testament, because the Jews, like many believers today, were misled into thinking that there are generational curses. #bustgenerationalcurses

Generational Curses? Part 1

One of the most prevalent verses used for the belief on generational curses is found in Exo 34

“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” - Exo 34:6-7

Today, there are many ministries, especially inner healing, using these and other verses to teach and break generational curses. Granted, there is a degree of result. And I thank God for these ministries. For they have seen a number of people set free. I honour and love the hearts of these ministers who sincerely want people to be healed and free.

However, I don't pursue experiences. I pursue truth that brings truth-based experiences. Truth must define the experiences. Else experiences can be based on lies and half-truths which are still lies.

Is this passage really talking about generational curses?

I used to think that non-believers can still be under generational curses. But for believers, we have been freed from them (Gal 3:13). If anyone is in Christ, he is delivered from all curses (Col 1:13).

Yet recently, while I was worshiping the Lord, He spoke to me clearly, "Go and re-read what you know about generational curses in the Bible."

I went back and started reading and studying the Scriptures. This time, my eyes were opened by His grace to see what the verses are really talking about.

Can a good, good Father judge the next few generations based on the sins of their fathers, grandfathers and forefathers?

In the next part, we will see how Scriptures unfold themselves to reveal if there are really generational curses. 

It has never been in God's intent and heart. For He is perfectly just and perfectly loving at the same time. #bustgenerationalcurses

P.S: In the Old Testament, Israel was not born again. Christ had not yet come. So our context is still about generational curses among non-believers.

Because Of Unbelief/Little Faith Part 3

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” - Matt 17:19-21

In part 2, we see that verse 21 was not in the original manuscript and Mark 9:29 does not include fasting.

When Jesus talked about 'this kind', He could not be referring to faith (in verse 20). He had addressed how to have faith in Luke 17:5-10. Furthermore, faith comes by hearing His Word (Rom 10:17).

In the context of Matthew, Jesus seemed to be referring to their unbelief / little faith --- not being able to perceive in the mind / carnal thinking.

In the context of Mark, Jesus seemed to be referring to the kind of situation - the demon-possessed boy.

So is it about the unbelief or is it about the demonic situation? I believe it's both, because the answer points to the same thing.

The disciples were so caught up with what they saw in this demonic situation --- the boy (convulsing non-stop), that they failed to perceive what Christ perceived.

Jesus was saying in Matthew, "This kind (of wrong perceiving in the mind) only comes out by prayer."

Jesus was saying in Mark, "This kind (of situation that caused you to have wrong perceiving in the mind) only comes out by prayer."

It's technically the same answer. And the key to drive it out is communion, as I mentioned in part 2.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a MIRROR the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. - 2 Cor 3:18 (emphasis added)

The point of communion is not just to behold Christ, the glory of the Lord. It's also to behold Him IN us. Christ IN us is the hope of glory. This is why we are beholding as in a mirror. When you look in the mirror, you see YOU.

For if anyone is a hearer of the WORD and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a MIRROR; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. - James 1:23-24 (emphasis added)

In communion, we must see the WORD. For the WORD is Christ. And the WORD (Christ) is our MIRROR. So when we read the Word, we are reading US. That is our true image.

In communion, we grow in the revelation of who we are because of who Christ is. When we perceive who we really are, we crush the carnal mind, the wrong perceiving in the mind, and we live by the spiritual mind - the mind of Christ, so that we perceive what He perceives.

Because when we perceive what He perceives, we will manifest what He manifests - seeing every sickness crushed. That is proving the perfect will of God (Rom 12:2). Jesus!

Because Of Unbelief/Little Faith Part 2

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” - Matt 17:19-21

Jesus answered the disciples when they asked Him why they couldn’t see the result that He had. He said, “Because of your unbelief / little faith...”

He added, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can speak to the mountain and it will move...” Then, He seemed to add one clause in verse 21 - “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

This verse, however, was not recorded in the earlier Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Many scholars believe that it was added later by the scribe, after comparing with the other Gospel books. It is often concluded that the original Matthew writing did NOT have verse 21.

Hence, the key to perceive like Christ perceives does not lie in fasting. If it does, we will face a problem with what Jesus said earlier.

In Matt 9:15, Jesus said that there was NO need to fast because He was still with the disciples. He couldn’t possibly tell the disciples to fast now, so that “this kind of unbelief” can be removed.

It is as though Jesus is saying, “Hey, you don’t have to fast because I AM with you. But you have to fast because of unbelief, even though I AM with you.” 

If I were the disciples, I would go “Huh? What?”

Looking at Mark 9 will give us a clearer perspective. The Gospel of Mark was recorded much earlier than the Gospel of Matthew.

Mark 9:29 - And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”

Apparently, fasting is NOT recorded in the verse. I checked the Greek Bible and the word ‘fasting’ is NOT in too.

So why was fasting added into Matt 17:21?

Matthew was written to the Jews.

Mark was written to the Gentiles.

The Jewish culture understood fasting. It’s their religious practice. However, they did it without understanding. The scribe probably added in for the Jewish audience.

The Gentile audience (Romans), in the book of Mark, had no practice on fasting. From what I know, the ancient Romans preferred fast food instead (pun intended). They ate on the move.

Thus, Mark must have recorded what Jesus said, “This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”

So in order to remove unbelief/little faith - wrong perceiving in the mind, is it prayer AND fasting, or is it simply prayer? I would submit to you that the original word was only prayer - which means communion. 

The disciples (Peter & Paul) followed Jesus' teaching in Acts 9:40 and Acts 28:8. They prayed (to perceive what Christ perceives) before they ministered.

But if you think you need to fast, go ahead. You won’t be stoned for that. In fact, people tend to think you are very spiritual (even if you are not).

However, if you think that there is no need to fast, then start feasting and have a buffet. Heaven is about feasting anyway. It is ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ If it’s feasting in heaven, then it’s feasting on earth. LOL joke aside.

There were/are people who fasted and saw great results in healing. i.e. John G Lake, Dan Mohler, etc.

There were/are also people who simply feasted (not fasting) and saw great results in healing. i.e Curry Blake.

The issue of removing wrong perceiving in the mind has NOTHING to do with fasting. We like to make a big deal over religious practice that has a form of spirituality (look good) but no power.

The key is about communion, leading to intimacy.

It’s wrong perceiving in the mind that requires the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), so that we can manifest the perfect will of God - seeing every single person healed.

How? By communion (intimacy). It is when we commune with Him that we behold Him and become like Him (2 Cor 3:18), so that we perceive what He perceives and manifests what He manifests.

Disclaimer: Intimacy alone doesn’t necessary produce results for healing. There are people walking in intimacy with God but don’t see any healing, because of wrong belief. We will talk about what communion entails in Part 3.

Intimacy with wrong believing does not produce results in healing.

Right believing without intimacy may produce some results in healing.

But right believing WITH intimacy (eg. Jesus) produces CONSISTENT results in healing.

Communion is the place to perceive what Christ perceives.

Because Of Unbelief/Little Faith Part 1

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. - Matt 17:19-21

When the disciples failed to heal the boy, they were baffled. They had seen ALL healed when they were sent out by Jesus in Matt 10. They knew the will of God. This is why they had to ask Jesus, “Why could we not cast it out?”

Jesus didn’t give 101 religious reasons why they couldn’t heal the boy. He only answered one thing - “Because of your unbelief...” Some translations say, “Because of your little faith...”

‘Unbelief’ in the Greek can refer to ‘not believing’. It was often used for Israel, the pagans and the religious leaders.

‘Unbelief’ can also refer to ‘weakness of faith’.

‘Little faith’ in the Greek refers to ‘lack of trust/confidence in Jesus.’ It was often used by Jesus for His disciples (Matt 8:26; Matt 14:31; Matt 16:8).

Whether Matt 17:20 is ‘unbelief’ or ‘little faith’, it points to the same thing. The disciples had a lack of trust/confidence in Jesus, which is weakness of faith (second meaning of the word ‘unbelief’).

Jesus expound what ‘little faith’ is in Matt 16.

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of LITTLE FAITH, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not UNDERSTAND?... How is it you don’t UNDERSTAND? - Matt 16:8-9, 11 (emphasis added)

Little faith = do not understand.

I looked at the Greek meaning for ‘understand’ and it means ‘not perceiving with the mind.’ Immediately, I was reminded of Isaiah 6:9 and Matt 13:14. Jesus quoted, “...You will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”

In other words, to understand is not simply about seeing. It’s about perceiving.

Without perceiving, there cannot be confidence and trust in Jesus for healing the sick. Without perceiving, we can be ministering to the sick and yet don’t see 100% result every single time.

Jesus perceived what the Father perceived (John 5:19), and crushed the demon and healed the boy (Matt 17:18). Because of His right perceiving, He manifested the perfect will of God when the disciples couldn’t.

This is what we need to grow unto. To perceive what Christ perceives. Because if we perceive what Christ perceives, we will manifest what He manifests. We will see every sickness crushed because that is the will of God.

Healing Methods

Healing Methods

Jesus didn't teach His disciples how to heal the sick. He didn't give them a 5-step or 6-step model. He just told them, "Go and heal." Period.

Jesus didn't use the same method for healing the sick. So His disciples couldn't copy His method.

What's the point?

Healing is not a method. If we teach methods, people start to focus on the methods instead of the revelation of who the Father is. They start to try, instead of trust. They focus on what to do, instead of who they are (identity) as sons and daughters of the most High. 

Jesus had the revelation of the Father.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." - John 5:19

He saw FROM the Father's perspective. 

The charismatics believe that Jesus was following every method He saw from the Father, when healing the sick. They call it, "Led by the Spirit." So they believe that if we minister to the sick and they don't get healed, it's because we are not led by the Spirit to use the exact method God wants us to use.

I beg to differ. The story of Jesus healing the centurion's servant revealed that Jesus could change the method, not because He saw the Father changing His method. He changed because He knew the will of the Father.

John 5:19 is about Jesus knowing the perfect will of the Father and having the complete revelation of His goodness, so that He could see clearly from His perspective.

He had the revelation that the Father wills to heal. It is His good, acceptable and perfect will EVERY single time. Thus, whichever method He used, it always worked.

If we don't have a revelation of the Father, every method won't work, not matter how we try.

But if we have the revelation, any method works. Jesus! #healing #identity

Traditions VS Word of God

Traditions can render the Word of God of no effect.

Matt 15:16

If you think that you can't eat too much Kettle Chilli chips because you will get sick, then divine health won't work for you if you eat them.

If you think that you can't take cold drinks or coffee when you are coughing or have a sore throat, then healing won't work for you if you drink them.

Kill traditions and enjoy the power of the Word.

I was down with food poisoning on Sunday. By noon, I felt chilly, nausea and had diarrhea. My loving wife was concerned, so she prepared Chinese herb for me to drink. She brought to my mouth but I rejected the drink politely. I know it's frustrating to be my spouse, because I refuse to take any medicine. It is out of love that she wanted me well. But she also knew that I would not take any medicine.

I believe in the power of the Gospel and I preach it with conviction, so I have to walk it out in my life.

I began to thank Jesus while lying on the floor - feeling weak and tired. One hour later, I had to get up for my work appointment. Then, I did not know when and I did not know how, but every symptom just disappeared suddenly. Jesus!

There are alot of traditions to cure food poisoning. If we believe in those traditions, the Word of God will be of no effect.

Conclusion: Kill traditions and enjoy the power of the Word. #healing #health

What Changes The Society?

No Generational Curse, Even For Non-Believers

Who Is Believing?

My client, a non-believer, had headache and tension on his neck. He asked me for panadol. I said, “I don’t have. But I can pray for you to be healed.” 

He smiled and said, “I don’t believe.”

I replied, “You take a seat.”

He chuckled in unbelief and said, “If you want to try, I’m ok. Because nothing will happen. It’s not going to work.”

I answered, “It’s alright that you don’t believe. I believe and that’s enough.”

Ministered to him and his headache and tension on his neck left completely. His eyes were wide open and he testified to his wife.

Unbelief in the room cannot stop one who believes. Jesus always believed. This is why whomever He touched got healed. 

So please don’t teach that unbelief in the atmosphere can prevent healing. It can’t. Jesus!

Death Is The Final Footstool

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time WAITING till His enemies are made His footstool. - Heb 10:12-13 (emphasis added)

When Jesus our High Priest perfectly finished and completed His works, He sat down. No earthly high priests ever sat down in the Old Covenant, because their works were never completed. They could only atone for sins, but they couldn't remove sins. Only Jesus could remove them.

Since then, Jesus has been waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. This is the promise of the Father to the Son (Ps 110:1). How is the Father going to fulfill this?

By pouring out the Holy Spirit on everyone who believes (Acts 1:8) so that there can be many sons who represent Christ to destroy the works of the enemy.

Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. - Acts 2:33

In other words, Jesus is WAITING for us to make His enemies His footstool.

Grace is not inactivity. It is empowered activity. We are now empowered to destroy hell for a living. Because of grace, Paul laboured more than any of the apostles.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. - 1 Cor 15:10

There are many enemies we get to put under His footstool. It is the privilege of every believer. But there is ONE that God Himself will destroy.

While the truth is that everything is placed under Jesus' feet, we do not yet see everything placed under His feet in reality. Because we are still growing to see what Christ sees (Rom 12:2).

For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we do not YET see all things put under Him. - Heb 2:8 (emphasis added)

The key is to keep looking unto Jesus, and seeing what He sees. Because all things are subjected to Him.

But there is one final enemy to be destroyed. It is the final footstool. Read 1 Cor 15:20-28 to have the clear context.

For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The LAST ENEMY that will be destroyed is DEATH. For “He has put all things under His feet.” - 1 Cor 15:25-27 (emphasis added)

Death will only be destroyed when Jesus returns to crown us with the glorious and imperishable body. It's called the rapture. Rapture is when the final footstool - death is placed under Jesus' feet.

Those who believe that they will never die physically are believing in a lie. The bubble has to be burst.

Till then, let's get busy making the enemies His footstool.