Are generational curses biblical?

Scripture clearly teaches that curses are not passed down, however consequences of sin can be passed down through generations. For example, children of alcoholic fathers frequently suffer neglect and abuse as a direct consequence of their father’s sinful behavior. Descendants of those who hate God are likely to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers.

Ezekiel: 18:19-20 

 “Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Exodus 20:5-6

You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Ezekiel 18:2 

“What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

When ancient Israel quotes the proverb “The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” how did God respond?

Ezekiel 18:3-4

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel…The soul who sins is the one who will die.” 

What has been passed down from generation to generation ?

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:18-21

Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Once a misreading of a text is accepted, it can then lead to more extreme teachings. For example, it has become increasingly common for Christians to suppose that they have inherited demons of anger, alcoholism, laziness or lust. 

Cited Sources:  Bible Answer Book 2 by Hank Hanegraaff