Teaching Your Children How To Live Free From Family Iniquity: The Curse Ends Here: How To Break Free From Family Iniquity Journey
Introduction: A Legacy of Freedom
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the ability to walk in freedom from the iniquities and curses that have plagued our family lines. Freedom in Messiah, Yeshua, is not simply about breaking curses but about living in a way that ensures those patterns are not passed on. Teaching children to live in this freedom requires intentional discipleship, rooted in the Scriptures and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This chapter provides practical guidance for equipping your children to recognize and resist the patterns of family iniquity, walk in the ways of God, and establish a legacy of righteousness and blessing for future generations.
1. The Biblical Foundation for Teaching Our Children
The Torah is clear about the responsibility parents have to teach their children the ways of God. In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, following the Shema, we are commanded:
“These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Teaching children to live free from family iniquity starts with helping them understand God’s commandments and how they bring life, peace, and blessing. It also involves demonstrating how to apply these commandments in daily life and empowering them to make righteous choices.
2. Helping Children Recognize Patterns of Iniquity
Breaking free from generational curses involves understanding the patterns of iniquity that have affected your family line. Teach your children how to identify these patterns, not with fear or condemnation, but with a spirit of awareness and discernment.
For example, if your family has struggled with anger, addiction, or dishonesty, discuss how these behaviors deviate from God’s ways and how they can be overcome through His power. Use biblical examples of individuals who broke free from their family’s sins, such as:
- Hezekiah: He removed the idolatry of his father, King Ahaz, and restored true worship in Israel (2 Kings 18:1-7).
- Ruth: Though she came from a Moabite lineage, Ruth aligned herself with the God of Israel and became part of the Messianic line (Ruth 1:16-17; Matthew 1:5).
By showing how God’s redemption works, you can give your children hope that they, too, can walk in freedom.
3. Teaching Righteousness and Obedience to God
Children must understand that living free from iniquity is not merely about avoiding sin but about actively walking in righteousness. Teach them the importance of loving God and obeying His commandments, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 30:19-20:
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days.”
Practical ways to instill righteousness in your children include:
- Daily Prayer: Teach your children to talk to God regularly, bringing their struggles and victories to Him.
- Scripture Study: Help them memorize and meditate on Scriptures that affirm their identity and freedom in Messiah.
- Confession and Repentance: Encourage them to confess their sins to God and seek His forgiveness, modeling this practice yourself.
4. The Role of Blessing and Encouragement
Just as negative words can perpetuate curses, spoken blessings can establish freedom and righteousness. Make it a regular practice to speak blessings over your children, declaring their God-given identity and destiny. This follows the example of Jacob blessing his sons (Genesis 49) and Yeshua blessing the children (Matthew 19:13-15).
When speaking blessings, focus on specific traits or gifts that reflect God’s purpose for their lives. For example, say:
- “May you always walk in truth and integrity, reflecting the character of our God.”
- “May you grow in wisdom and strength, following the example of Yeshua.”
These words can counteract any negative declarations from the past and reinforce their freedom in Messiah.
5. Empowering Children to Resist Temptation
Even with the best teaching, children will face temptations and challenges. Equip them with tools to resist sin and stand firm in their faith. Teach them to:
- Use Scripture as a Weapon: Yeshua demonstrated this in His wilderness temptation, quoting the Torah to counter the adversary’s lies (Matthew 4:1-11).
- Pray for Strength: Encourage them to ask God for help when they feel tempted, following Yeshua’s teaching in the Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
- Seek Godly Counsel: Remind them that they can come to you or other trusted believers for guidance and support.
6. Modeling Freedom for Your Children
Children learn more from what we do than what we say. If you want your children to live free from family iniquity, you must model that freedom in your own life. This means walking in obedience to God, dealing with your own sin and struggles, and demonstrating a life of joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.
As Yeshua said in Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Your example will inspire your children to seek the same freedom and relationship with God that they see in you.
7. Establishing a Legacy of Freedom
When you teach your children to live free from family iniquity, you are not just shaping their lives—you are establishing a legacy of freedom for future generations. God’s promises are generational, as seen in Exodus 20:6:
“But showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
By raising your children in freedom, you ensure that they will pass on this inheritance of blessing to their children and grandchildren. This breaks the cycle of iniquity and establishes a new pattern of righteousness in your family line.
Conclusion: Teaching Freedom in Messiah
Teaching your children to live free from family iniquity is one of the most significant acts of faith and love you can offer. It requires intentionality, prayer, and reliance on God’s Word, but the rewards are eternal.
As you lead your children on this journey, remember that you are not alone. The God of Israel, who delivered His people from Egypt and sent His Son to break every curse, is with you every step of the way. In Him, the curse truly ends, and a new legacy of freedom begins.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
