Zac Poonen emphasizes the truth from Ezekiel 18 that refutes the misconception of generational curses, clarifying that children do not suffer for the sins of their parents. He highlights how misinterpretations of Scripture can lead to bondage and fear, but the Lord's word declares that each soul is accountable for their own actions. Poonen explains that when we surrender to Christ, we are disconnected from ancestral curses and connected to the blessings in Christ, freeing us from any inherited curses. He challenges believers not to be swayed by false teachings that instill fear and bondage, but to stand firm in the truth of God's Word.

There is a very important verse in Ezekiel 18 that can help remove any confusion in our minds concerning “generational curses”. “What do you mean by using this proverb, ‘The fathers eat the sour grapes but the children’s teeth are set on edge’?” (Ezek. 18:1,2). People were saying that children were suffering because of the sins of the parents. That is a very common understanding among the heathen and unfortunately among many Christians too who do not know their Bibles. Preachers in Israel were misinterpreting Exodus 20:5 and bringing people into bondage and painting a picture of an unrighteous God Who punished children for the sins of their ancestors. But the Lord replied to that, then, by saying, “You are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore. The soul who sins will die.” (Ezek. 18:3,4). The Lord made that very clear 2500 years ago. But unfortunately there are well-known Christian preachers who have written books to prove that many Christians suffer today because their ancestors worshipped idols or engaged in witchcraft. They say that a curse that was on our great grandfather could have come down to us, and we have to get rid of it now by having it rebuked and cast out. That is absolute rubbish! When we give our lives totally to Christ, we are cut off from our ancestry (and the tree of “Adam”) and grafted into another tree – “Christ”. Whatever curses we may have inherited from our forefathers are broken the moment we are grafted into Christ. Now there is no more curse for us, but only “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ” (Gal.3:13,14; Eph.1:3). If your great grandfather worshipped idols or practised witchcraft, that cannot affect you in any way, once you have surrendered your life to Christ. If however you have not given yourself totally to Christ, then it’s another story. But once you are grafted into Christ, how can there be a curse upon you? Christ cannot be cursed and you are a part of Him. Yet there are many Christians today who believe that. Christ became a curse for us on Calvary’s tree, so that the blessing of God can come upon us. It is true that the children of ungodly parents do suffer physically and materially, in many ways. For example, if a man is a drunkard, his children will suffer because there will not be enough money at home for their needs, but there will not be any curse on the children because of the sins of their father. They will not be punished for their father’s sins. Everyone is punished for his own sin. This is what the Lord made clear to Ezekiel. So don’t allow any preacher to frighten you or to bring you into bondage through any such false teaching.