And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. – Ephesians 2:1-3

Children of wrath. In Adam, all die. For all mankind, having descended from Adam by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first sin.

The sin nature is a hereditary condition, passed down to all mankind from Adam, due to His original sin. As we are all part of Adam’s family, so we have inherited his curse. Family curses do indeed exist, for the Lord metes out punishment for the ungodly to the third and forth generation of those who hate Him.

Christian, your heritage from Christ is at war with your heritage from Adam. For in Christ, you have been made alive. We were children of wrath, but God, who is rich in mercy, adopted us as sons through Jesus Christ. The Lord punishes to the third and fourth generation, but shows kindness to thousands of those who love Him. The first field of dominion is not at the doors of the state and culture, but at the doors of your heart. Sanctification is the process of evicting the old man, and installing the new man created in Christ.

Inheritance goes both ways–not only are there familial curses but covenantal blessings for the children of God. Not only do wicked fathers curse their prodigy by their sinful deeds, but righteous men create canopies of blessing that protect and provide for their families. In Christ, we have obtained the richest blessings of our Heavenly Father.