Generational Curses, Strongholds and Demonic Spirits:
What Are Generational Curses?
A generational curse is a repetitive pattern of behavior, sin, or trauma that passes down through family lines, often unconsciously, until it is confronted, renounced, and healed. In Scripture, we see this principle not only in Exodus 20 but also in:
Lamentations 5:7 – “Our ancestors sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment.”
Ezekiel 18 – God declares that each person is responsible for their own sin, introducing a path of individual accountability and redemption.
Galatians 3:13 – “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,” pointing to the ultimate breaking of generational cycles through the Cross.
Core Concept: Generational curses are not permanent judgments but spiritual patterns that we can break through Christ, inner healing, and community accountability. These become filters through which we see God, others, and ourselves.
Common Generational Curses
Here are some categories of common generational curses: Which of these do you recognize in your family line or your own life?
Type
Manifestations
Addiction
Alcohol, drugs, food, workaholism
Poverty Mentality
Scarcity thinking, financial chaos, fear of success
Slavery (Historic & Mental)
Learned helplessness, identity rooted in oppression, spiritual passivity
Infidelity & Divorce
Broken family models, mistrust, self-sabotage
Negativity & Gossip
Chronic pessimism, relational dysfunction
Violence & Abuse
Cycles of harm, emotional instability
Generational Curses, Familiar Spirits & Ancestral Ties
Dr. Neil Anderson speaks of generational spirits / ties being passed down and the need to renounce generational ties in his prayer model in The Bondage Breaker and Steps to Freedom in Christ, Anderson uses phrases such as “demonic working passed down to me from my family” or “familiar spirit assignments.”
“In Christ, you are a new creation. But if past generational sins were never renounced, and false beliefs never broken, those footholds remain until you take back the ground.”
“Demonic working passed down to me from my family line must be identified, confessed, and renounced. Christ’s blood is enough, but His freedom must be applied.”
How Do Strongholds Form?
Strongholds are deep-seated belief systems or emotional footholds the enemy uses to keep us bound. They often start as trauma responses and become entrenched through:
Repeated sin
Family modeling
Cultural or racial trauma
Inner vows (“I’ll never trust anyone again.”)
Bitter root judgments (“All men abandon you.”)
These also become filters through which we see God, others, and ourselves.
Steps to Breaking Generational Curses and Strongholds:
Identify the Pattern
Journaling: Where do I see repetition in my family?
Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal hidden roots.
Renounce the Lie
“I break agreement with the lie that poverty is my inheritance.”
Forgive the Generations
Say a prayer of intergenerational forgiveness.
Replace with Truth
Replace strongholds with Scripture and affirmations.
“I am not defined by my family’s past. I am a new creation in Christ.”
Walk in Accountability and Community
Healing happens in relationship. Transparency and check-ins are highly valuable.
Demonic Spirits — The Invisible Puppeteers
Ephesians 6:12 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities … against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Demonic spirits are fallen angels who serve Satan’s purposes by:
· Whispering lies
· Creating atmospheres of fear, lust, pride, and despair
· Exploiting old trauma and family sin patterns
· Reinforcing identity confusion and addiction cycles
· Working “in the background” of your life to exhaust, isolate, and distract you from your purpose
We must recognized that demonic forces are present all around us. They constantly attempt to entice us, condemn us, steer us, influence those around us, lay traps for us. But He who is in us is greater. God makes a way out and has given us all power and authority over them through Christ Jesus.
Neil Anderson’s View on Demonic Spirits:
“Most Christians think demons are only active in third-world voodoo settings. But Satan’s greatest tactic is deception. He is far more at work in boardrooms, bedrooms, and bloodlines than most of us realize.”
Anderson emphasizes that “believers” cannot be possessed, but can be oppressed or influenced by demonic forces if there are unresolved spiritual openings. However… it should also be stated that even the devil believes so, the “believer” Anderson is referring to is someone who not only believes but also chooses to follow Christ and call Him LORD.
Below is a comprehensive list of demonic spirits often recognized in spiritual warfare teachings — particularly within Neil Anderson’s framework, as well as broader deliverance ministries (e.g., Derek Prince, John Eckhardt, and others). These unclean spirits may attempt to gain influence or dominion in a person’s thoughts, emotions, physical body, or relationships, especially where there is unresolved trauma, sin, or generational agreements.
This list is designed for discernment and self-examination, not fear — every name below is under the authority of Jesus Christ.
COMMON DEMONIC SPIRITS THAT MAY SEEK INFLUENCE
Spirit of Fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
Spirit of Anger / Rage / Wrath
Spirit of Bitterness
Spirit of Rejection
Spirit of Abandonment
Spirit of Lust
Spirit of Perversion
Spirit of Jezebel (control, manipulation, seduction, intimidation)
Spirit of Ahab (passivity, abdication of spiritual authority)
Spirit of Addiction (alcohol, drugs, pornography, food, etc.)
Spirit of Death / Suicide
Spirit of Depression / Heaviness (Isaiah 61:3)
Spirit of Pride / Arrogance / Self-exaltation
Spirit of Shame
Spirit of Infirmity / Sickness (Luke 13:11)
Spirit of Pain / Affliction
Spirit of Heaviness / Weariness
Spirit of Confusion / Mental Torment
Spirit of Doubt / Unbelief
Spirit of Accusation / Condemnation (Rev 12:10)
Spirit of Guilt
Spirit of Control / Domination
Spirit of Divination / Witchcraft / Occult (Deut 18:10–12)
Spirit of Idolatry / Materialism
Spirit of Slavery / Victimhood / Learned Helplessness
Spirit of Poverty / Scarcity
Spirit of Envy / Jealousy
Spirit of Violence / Murder
Spirit of Rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23)
Spirit of Unforgiveness / Retaliation
Spirit of Isolation / Withdrawal
Spirit of Lying / Deception (John 8:44)
Spirit of Religion / Legalism / Performance
Spirit of Antichrist / Rebellion Against God (1 John 4:3)
Spirit of Torment / Night Terrors
Spirit of Delay / Hindrance / Blockage
Spirit of Strife / Division / Gossip
Spirit of Whoredom / Sexual Brokenness (Hosea 4:12)
Familiar Spirits (generational or ancestral spirits)
Note for the Group:The presence of symptoms does not always mean demonic influence. But if a spiritual stronghold remains despite prayer, counseling, or deliverance attempts, it’s wise to ask the Holy Spirit:
“Where did this come from?”
“Is there a spiritual power behind this pattern?”
“What agreement do I need to break or renounce?”
Scripture for Authority:Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Conversation Starters for Share Group
“What family belief have you had to unlearn to walk in freedom?”
“In what ways do you see your parents’ or grandparents’ struggles repeating in your life?”
“What would it look like for you to write a new legacy for the next generation?”
“What Stronghold beliefs do I carry that I need to renounce?”
“What demonic spirits do I feel may have influence or dominion in my life?”
“Have I asked the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to me?”