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Open Heavens Rev Sarah Nyathi
LIFE is composed of seasons similar to natural seasons. There are times that represent spring and summer. These are beautiful times full of new beginnings, hope and abundance. Then there are times that mirror winter, grey, dreary, lifeless and they seem to drag on endlessly. Characteristic of these times are numerous challenges, these may be financial, sickness, poverty and other circumstances that rob us of our joy and zest for life. For the majority of Zimbabweans financial challenges are perennial due to lack of employment, under performance of businesses, delayed payment or arrears of salaries. It seems for some the winter season may be dragging on endlessly.
It is in that light that many have resorted to seeking divine intervention of one form or another. I will attempt to toy with a few theological points of view that will help us understand that there are some natural and spiritual causes that may result in us experiencing the “winter season” for prolonged periods.
When experiencing such difficulties for a prolonged period an individual may draw several conclusions:-
l They are experiencing a spate of “bad luck”.
l They have been bewitched.
l They may be experiencing the effects of a generational curse.
l They are experiencing a “trial” (the scriptures refer to these as fiery trials in the book of James)
In this discussion we will not discuss bad luck, witchcraft or fiery trials, rather we will focus on the generational curse. There are various trends of thought in Pentecostalism concerning the generational curse. Some are of the view that Christians are not affected by generational curses, while others are of the opinion that a Christian may suffer from the effects of generational curses.
Upon studying scripture (and I invite debate), the scriptures do not refer to this phenomenon as a “generational curse”. These are referred to as “iniquities”. These iniquities are inherited in the bloodline of an individual and can affect the family to the 3rd and 4th generations of those who do not fear or serve God — Exodus 20:5-6 — “You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them. For I Jehovah your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, and showing mercy to thousands of those that love Me and keep my commandments”.
This scripture confirms that these inherited conditions are “iniquities”, but for some reason these “iniquities” have been loosely referred to as curses. Throughout scripture though there are numerous references made to blessings and curses. God strongly encourages us to choose blessings over curses.
“Winter seasons” are a normal part of life, and should be expected as winter bows out to allow spring and summer to take centre stage.
Helen Steiner Rice once quipped that: “It takes the bitter and the sweet to make life complete”. Somebody also said that sometimes things that are not so pleasant happen to good people. Divine intervention may be sought when these winter seasons go on for years without reprieve. It is then that I am tempted to believe that perhaps one may be experiencing the effects of the “iniquity of the fathers being visited upon the third and fourth generation”.
On closer examination of the opposing views of the effects of “iniquities/curses” I would like to proffer my view in this regard.
l Those who hold the view that believers should not experience the effects of iniquity quote Galatians 3:13-14 — Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone having been hanged on a tree”); so that the blessing of Abraham might be to the nations in Jesus Christ, and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. I agree entirely that Jesus Christ was hung on the “tree” so that He could nullify the power and effects of the curse in the lives of those who acknowledge Him as their Lord and Saviour. His work on the cross not only dealt with the curse, but encompassed sin, sickness, poverty and eternal death. When He cried it is finished at the point of death He was cancelling the power of sin, sickness, curses, iniquities, poverty and eternal death. Iniquities were also nullified as the book of Isaiah states that “He was bruised for our iniquities”. Iniquities were rendered powerless at the cross of Calvary.
2. However it should be noted that for all the benefits of the cross to be enjoyed by the believer there are conditions that need to be met.
l Forgiveness of sins and salvation whilst free must be appropriated by the believer through faith. Rom 10:-9-10 —states “Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation”. The recipient has to believe with their heart, extending their faith and confess with their mouth in order to receive salvation. Salvation is free yet not all experience it, as faith and confession are necessary components to appropriating salvation.
l Healing was given to us at the cross and confirmed in 1 Peter 2:24 — “He himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that dying to sins, we might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed”. This scripture refers in the past tense to healing, confirming that divine healing is a foregone conclusion. Many though are still sick and have to extend their faith to receive their healing. In addition, faith has to be practised to enjoy divine health.
l Poverty was also dealt a heavy blow when Christ left His glorious home becoming poor that we might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 — “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, in order that you might be made rich through His poverty”. Despite these assurances of being translated from poverty to riches the majority are not experiencing this promise. Once again emphasising the need for faith and action to appropriate the promises of scripture.
l Eternal life — Those in Christ have passed from death to life. In the hereafter they are guaranteed eternal life. John 5:24 — “Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears my Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life”. Faith once again is necessary for us to appropriate eternal life.
It is safe to assume that all these benefits though free, readily available can be enjoyed by the believer through the act of belief which breeds faith. These all have to be appropriated in order to be enjoyed. I contend that iniquities/curses though abolished and brought to nought at the cross of Calvary must be acknowledged and consciously dealt with through faith. These are not enjoyed as a matter of course.
I must caution strongly however, that not every “winter season” experienced in life is a result of iniquities or curses. Some prolonged “winter seasons” (including those of a financial nature) may be a result of several other natural and spiritual causes which every believer should look out for and avoid. I have found that some people think they are suffering from curses and run around frantically seeking solutions, when they are just in a season of reaping the consequences of poor decisions in the past. We need to be very careful and bear in mind the choices we make have consequences. Listed hereunder are some of the natural reasons that may precipitate prolonged “winter seasons”. Poor decision making, laziness, procrastination, failure to plan, poor budgeting, lack of financial literacy, impulsive spending, lack of self-control and wrong associates.
In addition to natural causes there may be some spiritual reasons that produce the same effect. These include witchcraft as mentioned earlier, demonic covenants. Failure to observe spiritual principles of tithing and giving, disobedience to parents and authority figures. Unresolved bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and grudges.
What are iniquities then? Iniquities are not issues that afflict you once in a while, as I stated earlier in a “winter season”. These temporary winter seasons come and soon pass. Everybody faces difficulties or insufficiencies at some point in their lives. I stress that iniquities are trends that may be noted repeating themselves without reprieve over several generations and are not confined to financial matters only. Stated hereunder is an inconclusive list as stated by Bishop Collin Nyathi. Iniquities may manifest themselves as one or a combination of these maladies listed below:-
l Mental and or emotional breakdown
l Repeated or chronic sickness (especially if it is hereditary).
l Barrenness — a tendency to miscarry or related problems.
l Breakdown of marriages or family alienation.
l Continuing financial insufficiency.
l Being accident prone.
l A history of suicides or unnatural, untimely deaths.
Iniquities and curses are real and do exist. It should be noted that they were nullified and brought to nought at the cross of Calvary along with sin, sickness, poverty and eternal death. Curses should be handled and dealt with decisively in the way that we handle sickness, salvation, poverty. We need to believe in our hearts and speak and confess with our mouths that the power of iniquity or curses has been rendered useless in our lives.
Does this call for endless deliverance sessions, I personally do not believe that marathon counselling and deliverance sessions are necessary to be delivered from the power of sin, sickness, death and iniquities. In the manner that we receive salvation from sin is the same way that we appropriate deliverance and freedom from iniquities.
You may pray on your own or hands may be laid on you for the same. I believe that through the name of Jesus and the power of His blood we can be set free instantly. There is no witchcraft, covenant, sickness, disease or anything else that cannot be dealt with to finality through the name of Jesus. There is no need for believers to suffer perennial “winter seasons” when by faith they can apply the blood of Jesus exercise believers authority and be free from all forms of the curse of the law. Finally, remember if you are a believer He covenants to bless thousands of generations of those who love and fear Him. Let us focus on the blessing rather than the iniquity.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter