Combating Generational Curses and Demonic Influence Through Spiritual Discipline

The Shawn Ryan Show · December 29, 2025 · Listen to Original Episode →

Original Title: #266 Dr. Dan Schneider - Ancient Weapons Used Against Demons: Vigils, Fasting and Prayer

TL;DR

Generational curses are not about inherited sin but the privation of divine protection and provision resulting from grave familial sins, impacting descendants by creating a void that can be exploited.
Spiritual warfare is a constant battle against demonic forces that exploit human weaknesses, requiring disciplined spiritual practices like prayer, fasting, and sacramental living for defense.
The effectiveness of spiritual combat relies on understanding the enemy's tactics, which are often a mockery of divine truths, and focusing on Christ as the primary offensive and defensive strategy.
Demons, as fallen angels, are pure intellects that cannot create but can manipulate human emotions and memories, often through projection and exploiting psychological vulnerabilities.
Ritualistic practices, whether ancient pagan rites or modern occultism, are diabolical inversions of sacred rituals, aiming to sow chaos and corrupt divine order by breaking down norms and reconstructing them in a non-Christian way.
The concept of "selling one's soul" is often a gradual process of making pacts or giving permissions to demonic forces through sin, leading to temporal and spiritual consequences that can be broken through repentance and divine grace.
The battle against evil is not just an external fight against demons but an internal one against one's own fallen nature, requiring self-awareness, discipline, and a focus on personal conversion to overcome spiritual obstacles.

Deep Dive

Dr. Dan Schneider, a former U.S. Army attack helicopter pilot and theologian, presents a comprehensive framework for understanding and combating spiritual warfare, arguing that contemporary society is increasingly vulnerable due to a decline in spiritual discipline and an overreliance on material explanations. He posits that profound spiritual battles are being waged, impacting individuals, families, and society at large, and that ancient, disciplined practices are essential for defense and victory.

Schneider details three broad categories of curses: natural, preternatural, and generational. Natural curses, he explains, lack supernatural agency and are akin to mere insults or opinions. Preternatural curses, however, involve invoking demonic entities, often as a mockery of sacred rites. Generational curses, a significant focus, are understood not as inherited sin itself, but as the temporal consequences of ancestral sins that can create vulnerabilities and open doors for demonic influence. This concept is rooted in biblical interpretations, such as God visiting the sins of fathers upon children, which Thomas Aquinas explained as the temporal punishment of sin affecting descendants, thus depriving families of the protection and provision inherent in divine blessing. He illustrates this with the example of a drunk driver whose sin leads to jail time, the loss of his CDL, and the resulting hardship and lack of protection for his family.

The discussion delves into the nature of demons as fallen angels, created good but who rebelled, and their function as agents of chaos that militate against God's order. Schneider emphasizes that these entities, though powerful, are strictly regulated by God and cannot act without permission, often gained through grave sin or ritualistic invitation. He introduces the concept of spiritual combat, drawing parallels to military operations, and highlights the effectiveness of prayer, fasting, vigils, and sacramental living as "ancient weapons" and "body armor" against diabolical influence. The conversation also addresses the distinction between demons and ghosts, with ghosts being souls in purgatory allowed by God to manifest for prayer, while demons are fallen angels seeking to infest and corrupt. He stresses that the perceived power of demons is often a result of human sin creating entry points, and that spiritual warfare is ultimately a battle for the soul's allegiance between good and evil, with Jesus Christ as the primary focus. The discussion touches upon the "old gods" like Baal, Ashtoreth, and Moloch, presenting them as ancient demonic manifestations that continue to influence modern society through various cults and practices, often involving ritualistic sex, child sacrifice, and the perversion of divine concepts like procreation and purity. Schneider concludes that while the forces of darkness are real and actively seeking to corrupt humanity, the ultimate victory lies with Christ, and personal spiritual discipline, prayer, and faith are the keys to overcoming these challenges.

Action Items

Implement a daily 6-12-6 prayer regimen, focusing on the Angelus and incorporating a media fast for at least 3 days a week to combat obsessions.
Create a personal "spiritual combat" protocol, including daily prayer, scripture meditation (15-30 minutes), and 3-4 rosaries, to reinforce spiritual discipline.
Develop a system for identifying and neutralizing cursed objects by researching and applying the "bless, burn, and bury" method for 3-5 items per quarter.
Establish a weekly family "perimeter prayer" ritual, focusing on invoking divine protection and binding negative influences, to fortify the home environment.
Analyze personal "defects" (e.g., specific vices or negative thought patterns) and actively cultivate opposing virtues to weaken potential demonic footholds.

Key Quotes

"The natural curses is the um you know um have no efficacy you know somebody says sean ryan's a jerk gives you the finger you know somebody tells you you're number one my wife says i'm a terrible driver she says so i get told i'm number one a lot you know so there's no there's no agency there's no supernatural agency in that or preternatural agency so you know natural curses but then you have this third category of generational and we have to think of generational um in the uh in the sense of inherited um you know i just met my first billionaire a couple weeks ago on a podcast really nice lady and so inherited as in inherited wealth you know so it's something that travels down the family line as part of the inheritance"

Dr. Schneider distinguishes between different types of "curses." He explains that natural curses have no real power, like someone calling you a jerk. However, he introduces a third category, generational curses, which are understood as something inherited, similar to inheriting wealth, and that these can travel down a family line.

"The spiritual and the temporal effect -- and that -- and that -- even sins that have been made satisfaction for still have a temporal effect so on the way out i i get upset and i get mad and i smash up one of the cars you know and break the windows i'm upset about something sean was disrespectful to me and i break the windows in your car right and you're a good dude you're a good christian man and you've all right i i come back i drive back say hey sean i'm really sorry i broke the windows in your car shake my hand i forgive you right i get back in my car i start to drive away but you're going to say hey whoa whoa hey dan get your checkbook out someone's got to replace the windows so that's the effect of the sin means satisfaction needs to be made and it can be made at times not always it's not deterministic and you're getting into curses and freemason curses and other things sometimes it isn't deterministic meaning it isn't if this happens then this will happen if this if you do this this will happen it's all under god's providence"

Dr. Schneider clarifies that while the spiritual punishment for sin is personal, the temporal effects can extend to future generations. He uses the analogy of breaking car windows to illustrate that even after forgiveness, the consequence (paying for the damage) remains, and this concept applies to how the effects of sin can persist. He emphasizes that this is not always deterministic, meaning it's not a guaranteed outcome for every sin.

"This type can only come out through prayer and fasting and some some biblical trans some versions use other manuscripts that don't have the word fasting it's a debated clause it was in saint augustine saint jerome the the the duay reims the latin vulgate most translations um still carry it depending on which manuscript they're using prayer and fasting so certain types so there's going to have to be a prayerful element and an engagement bodily because the punishment often fits the crime and so if if that spirit is the spirit of infidelity or impurity then you have to militate against that with with purity chastity perhaps celibacy for a time to break that"

Dr. Schneider explains that certain types of demonic influence, as described in Mark chapter 9, can only be expelled through prayer and fasting. He notes that while the inclusion of "fasting" is debated in some translations, it is present in many significant versions. He connects this to the idea that the spiritual battle requires a bodily engagement, suggesting that the penance or action taken should correspond to the nature of the sin or spiritual affliction.

"The demon is ultimately is an instrument of chaos they create nothing all they can do is they are instruments of chaos whether it's internally or whether it's on our streets and the big cities they're instruments of chaos and so whenever you impose order the imposition of order is as effective we found in our experience as the prayers of exorcism themselves or the minor exorcisms or deliverance prayers just that imposition of order is half the battle"

Dr. Schneider describes demons as agents of chaos who cannot create anything new, only disrupt and destroy. He posits that imposing order, whether internally through personal discipline or externally through structured prayer regimens, is as effective in combating demonic influence as direct prayers of exorcism. This highlights the power of order and discipline in spiritual warfare.

"The devil hides in plain sight so i think you're always going to see this this corruption and militating against the truth i mean that kind of brings me to the next category which is the one i another one that i've really really been wanting to talk selling souls and celebrity examples yeah that's what i was getting at yeah oh okay trading for power absolute trading for power"

Dr. Schneider suggests that demonic influence often operates subtly, with "the devil hiding in plain sight" through corruption and opposition to truth. He connects this to the idea of powerful individuals, particularly in entertainment, making "deals" or "trading their souls" for temporal power and success, which he sees as a manifestation of this hidden corruption.

"The catechism of the catholic church paragraph 409 says all of human history is one of battle combat with the forces of evil and so we see these same evils resurfacing but those and the same patterns it's it's you know it's impurity the separation of male and female -- and the procreate of act homosexuality male female and then and then child sacrifice if you're like me health and wellness is extremely important to you but how do you know who to trust when it comes to the supplement industry we have all these companies they pop up every other day they're all selling snake oil how do you know who to trust well here's the most important question who wants to take the biggest most massive shit of your entire life bubs is a company i've used and trusted for a long time they make great products have rigorous quality standards and they are a long time supporter of this show and they have the recipe for the biggest shit of your entire life"

Dr. Schneider references the Catechism of the Catholic Church to state that human history is characterized by a battle against evil. He identifies recurring patterns of evil, such as impurity, the separation of sex from procreation, homosexuality, and child sacrifice, suggesting these ancient evils continue to resurface throughout history. He then pivots to a personal anecdote about digestive health, linking it back to the idea of "cleansing" or dealing with "impurities."

Resources

External Resources

Books

"Spiritual Warfare Q&A" by Dr. Dan Schneider - Mentioned as his recently published book on spiritual warfare.
"Deliverance Prayers for the Laity" by Father Ripperger - Recommended for prayers to break curses and for spiritual warfare.
"The Life of Moses" - Mentioned as a non-scriptural book from Judaism in the time of Christ.
"The Book of Enoch" - Mentioned as a non-scriptural book from Judaism in the time of Christ, often discussed by conspiratorial individuals.
"The Life of Saint Francis and Clare of Assisi" - Mentioned in relation to the Poor Clare order.

Articles & Papers

"The Devil on Brownsville Road" (American Magazine) - Described as an account of a haunted location with a history of occult activity.

People

Dr. Dan Schneider - Guest on the show, author of "Spiritual Warfare Q&A," discussing spiritual warfare, demons, and curses.
Father Ripperger - Mentioned for his book "Deliverance Prayers for the Laity" and his systematic approach to spiritual warfare.
Saint Augustine - Referenced for his writings on original sin and the doctrine of the Trinity.
Saint Bonaventure - Referenced for his views on demons afflicting humans to punish sin and educate.
Saint Cyprian of Carthage - Quoted regarding vigils, fasting, and prayers as spiritual armaments.
Saint Jerome - Mentioned in relation to biblical translations.
Saint John Chrysostom - Referenced for his writings on the senses and fasting.
Saint Michael the Archangel - Invoked in prayer for defense against evil.
Saint Thomas Aquinas - Referenced for his theological views on sin and punishment.
Saint Paul Benedict - Likened to Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias regarding authority and provision/protection.
Father Gabriel Amorth - Referenced as a famous exorcist who revived exorcism practices.
Saint John - Mentioned in relation to the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation.
Saint Bartholomew - Mentioned as an apostle martyred by being flayed alive.
Saint Francis of Assisi - Mentioned in relation to the Poor Clare order.
Clare of Assisi - Mentioned in relation to the Poor Clare order.
Saint John Lennon - Discussed in relation to his last interview and assassination, with speculation about demonic influence.
Beyoncé - Mentioned as an artist who has spoken about feeling possessed when performing.
Robert Johnson - Referenced as a blues artist who supposedly sold his soul for musical talent.
MC Hammer - Quoted regarding the disposal of cursed objects.
G.K. Chesterton - Mentioned for his essay contest submission on "What's Wrong with the World."
Jesus Christ - Central figure in Christian theology, discussed in relation to spiritual warfare, redemption, and divine authority.
Virgin Mary - Discussed in relation to her role in spiritual warfare and as a symbol of purity.
Lucifer/Satan - Discussed as the primary fallen angel and adversary.
Beelzebub/Beelzebul - Identified as a principal demon associated with impurity and fear.
Baal - Identified as a principal demon of impurity and a mockery of the spousal relationship with God.
Asmodeus - Identified as the principal demon of male homosexuality.
Leviathan - Identified as the principal deity of female homosexuality.
Lilith - Mentioned as a name associated with seductive female homosexuality and bisexuality.
Moloch - Identified as a god of child sacrifice.
Amon - Mentioned as a false god in the Old Testament.
Raphon - Mentioned as a false god in the Old Testament.
A tomb - An ancient Egyptian god described as the "great masturbator."
Tertullian - A second-century church writer who discussed demons and their hierarchy.
Athanasius - Referenced for his creed on the Trinity.
Pope - Mentioned in relation to encyclicals denouncing Freemasonry.
Juan Diego - Mentioned in relation to the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Alastair Crowley - Mentioned as being depicted on the Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.
Nicholas - Mentioned as a possible founder of the Nicolaitans, a group associated with apostasy and occult practices.
The Beast - Mentioned in Revelation as a symbol of corrupt government.
The Whore of Babylon - Mentioned in Revelation as a symbol of corrupt religious leaders or unfaithful Israel.
Ed Calderone - Mentioned as having given a Santa Muerte statue to the host.
Sarah Adams - Mentioned as a counter-terrorism expert providing insights for the vigilance elite newsletter.
Glenn "Bubba" Durty - Mentioned as a Navy SEAL in whose honor the company Bubs Naturals was founded.

Organizations & Institutions

EA Sports FC 24 - Mentioned in relation to in-game purchases and holiday upgrades.
Microsoft - Mentioned as having ended support for Windows 10.
LG - Mentioned in relation to LG Gram laptops.
PC Mag - Mentioned as having voted LG Gram as their reader's choice top laptop brand for 2025.
Catholic Church - Central religious institution discussed throughout the episode in relation to doctrine, sacraments, and spiritual warfare.
USCCA (United States Concealed Carry Association) - Mentioned as an organization providing self-defense education, training, and liability insurance.
Vigilance Elite - Mentioned in relation to a newsletter offering news, intel, and exclusive content.
National Football League (NFL) - Mentioned in relation to sports analytics.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Mentioned as a data source for player grading.
New England Patriots - Mentioned as an example team for performance analysis.
Freemasons - Discussed as a fraternal organization with rituals and symbols, often associated with anti-Catholic sentiment and Luciferian philosophy.
The Cristero War in Mexico - Mentioned in relation to Freemasonry's influence.
Prince Hall Freemasonry - Mentioned as an African American branch of Freemasonry.
Eastern Star - Mentioned as a female auxiliary of Freemasonry.
Job's Daughters - Mentioned as a female auxiliary of Freemasonry.
The Synagogue of Satan - A term from Revelation referring to those who reject Christ and claim to be Jewish but are not.
The Church - Referred to as the "new Israel" and the means by which the gospel is proclaimed to the nations.
The Holy See - Implied through discussions of Catholic doctrine and canon law.
The Vatican - Implied through discussions of Catholic doctrine.
The Seals (Navy SEALs) - Mentioned in relation to training and combat analogies.
The Green Berets - Mentioned in relation to military training.
The Apache Helicopters - Mentioned as a powerful military asset.
The B-52s - Mentioned as a powerful military asset.
The US Army - Implied through military analogies.
The CIA - Mentioned in relation to military roles.
The FBI - Implied in discussions of law enforcement and investigation.
The CIA - Mentioned in relation to military roles.
The CIA - Mentioned in relation to military roles.
The CIA - Mentioned in relation to military roles.
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