Familiar Spirits are connected to generational curses…which are linked to generational sin.
Think of your natural genetics. In your family, there may be a history of Diabetes. You may not experience any signs or symptoms of this disease, (other family members might) but the fact is, your family bloodline carries a gene which predisposes you to this disease. Of course, this does not guarantee you will inherit Diabetes as research shows lifestyle and daily choices greatly impacts the expression of faulty genes.
When we look at spiritual health through a similar lens, we understand past family members quite possibly (most often unknowingly) open spiritual doors which predispose certain kinds of spiritual oppression onto their bloodline. Perhaps not everyone in your family suffers from the effects of this but those who support a lifestyle in conjunction with these familiar spirits are making agreements, propping that metaphorical door open.
I know a family plagued with a spirit of suicide and early death. In one generation, my sweet friend has endured the trauma of watching her youngest sibling pass from a rare form Leukemia, two other siblings pass from suicide, and a fourth sister undergo over a dozen stints in rehab, struggling with suicidal thoughts. In a brood of nine children, four have suffered greatly. Is this just bad luck? A string of familiar coincidences? Or could these unfortunate facts point to a dark spiritual root?
The stealthiest way the enemy snares us is through generational trauma which backs the belief, “If this is all we know as a family, how can we expect anything different or better?” By remaining ignorant of this mode of attack, we disable our own defense. We become impotent in our own lives, powerless to seek change as our environment only confirms limited possibilites. As believers we must pay attention to signs of generational trauma and consciously work through healing them for this severs the root of the enemy’s foothold in our life.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” Hosea 4:6
Healing isn’t easy. It takes time and effort to uncover the source of an issue and even more intention to detach from the thoughts, mind-sets and identity fashioned from the ignorance of getting us through it.
Therefore, it is integral for us to discover our identity in God. Who would we be without the lens of trauma? What lies beneath the false labels applied by well-meaning friends or community? What could we become if we begin making conscious choices, instead of allowing our basic instincts to define our lives and character?
This is where the Bible becomes our North star and faithful friend, pointing the way to truth and sharpening us into the brilliant reflection of Christ from that truth.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Proverbs 27:6
In my childhood household, depression was the normal state of existence for everybody under that roof. There was no excitement, hoping for, or even planning for the future. Our parents reared us to focus on survival for that day. I am certain this wasn’t the intention of my predecessors but they (most likely) weren’t privy to the way the spirit realm operates. It was their ignorance which kept them bound. Unfortunately, this became my natural inheritance…but that doesn’t mean I have to accept it! The great news is my free-will allows me the choice to systematically, break each one of these agreements and every habit and mindset resulting from them.
Clues my family’s oppression comes from generational familiar spirits:
- I was born in a haunted home.
- My childhood was riddled with sadness and depression.
- My parents did not divorce but they did not get along.
- My father preferred activities away from the home.
- My grandpa was a Scientologist who abandoned his family for the church.
- My grandmother suffered from a mental breakdown and had mental health issues until she passed.
- My aunt was involved with a cult for a short while.
- My mom had a ‘gift’ of knowing when people were going to die before they did.
- My brother and I dabbled with the Ouija board, which resulted in demonic possession for both of us.
- I worked as a stripper and got introduced to Tarot cards and Santeria.
The familiar spirits I recognize in my personal history are:
-generational rejection, abandonment, and betrayal
-generational hopelessness and depression
-generational poverty
-generational insanity
-generational witchcraft and divination
-generational spiritual sensitivity
Nobody gets a free pass in life. We’re all called to journey through the valley, so we can fully enjoy the view from the mountain top.
It is integral not to allow our natural family, our past, or even the oppression of the enemy to define us. We must allow God to do this. This must be our diligent and conscientious choice because our very existence and future legacy is built upon these choices.
Praying for your freedom as well as mine,
Julia Shalom Jordan