Introduction
The word of God is a double-edged sword, for it cuts on both sides. It pronounces both curses and blessings. However, some teachers of the word of God are usually one-sided. They either focus on the curses or on the blessings. This thesis is intended to highlight those scriptures which have been misapplied or misinterpreted.
Curses and Blessings
Blessings may refer to the form of words used in invoking the bestowal of good (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). They may also be termed as a benediction or a wish of blissfulness pronounced; a prayer imploring happiness upon another. A solemn prophetic pronouncement in which happiness is desired, invoked or foretold (Webster). A curse, on the other hand, is a malediction or the expression of a wish of evil to another and a sentence of divine vengeance on sinners (Webster). Curses come upon people because of their disobedience. This is read from the below scriptures:
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Ex 20:5, Num 14:18, Deut 5:9).
The above scriptures which seem that all people are cursed because of the sins of their parents are often generalized. That should not be the case because it is clear from those scriptures that God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon their disobedient children unto the third and fourth generations. This does not apply to those who have reverence for God and His Son, Jesus Christ. This paper does not mean that there are no curses but in the context of the above scriptures, it is only those generations who hate God who are cursed of Him. So then, if deliverance is preached based on these scriptures, then we get it wrong. No one can deliver one who has been cursed by God, but we could only plead for mercy for him or her.
A mistake which is usually made is that some preachers tend to forget that in the same passage where wicked children are cursed, obedient children are blessed. It is stated that “know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations” (Ex 20:6, Deut 7:9-18); Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee” (Deut 7:12-13).
It needs to be understood that the curse was the penalty for disobedience, as the blessing was the reward for obedience. Righteousness is therefore, the fundamental principle to attract the blessings of the Lord God. Believers ought to fulfil their part of the covenant and God would take care of the rest. If one lives for God, He will surely fight all their battles for him/her (Ex 14:14).
The enemy cannot curse a believer who lives by the word of God unless he (the enemy) has a strong hold in their lives. Jesus told His disciples that the prince of this world comes but he has nothing in Him (Joh 14:30). The enemy could not make claim of anything in the life of Christ Jesus, so he could not own Him. The enemy has claims over some believers because they have compromised their faith and righteousness. This has given the enemy the opportunity to come and live in their lives. In this case, the oppressed would need deliverance to be freed as it is written, if the Son shall make a person free s/he shall be freed indeed (Joh 8:36).
The enemy cannot curse those God has blessed. This is supported by the statement of Balaam when it is said of him that “he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?” (Num 23:7-8). This means that if God has not taken His hands off a person because of their disobedience, s/he remains uncurseable. It is thus written: one who breaks the hedge shall be bitten by the snake or the devil (Eccl 10:8), otherwise, a curse without a cause will not alight (Pro 26:2).
People usually think that they are cursed because they are made to believe so. Yes, curses do exist but sometimes not all issues of life are as a result of a curse. Some are due to mere laziness and refusal to think or reason and our reluctance to act. Common sense, but not prayer, could be an antidote to some of the so-called curses. Our ignorance and lack of relevant information may put us into difficult situations. Sometimes our mindset could consistently defraud us of our blessings, therefore, we need to renew our minds (Rom 12:1-3, Eph 4:22-24).
Conclusions
Believers should not get it registered in their spirits that they are cursed if they are living right before God. People receive curses because of their disobedience. However, if one has a feeling of being cursed, s/he should consult the leadership of the church for counseling and advice.
Prayer: Father Lord, one thing we desire of you is to be merciful to us and grant us the grace to be obedient to your word, and deliver us from the snares of the fowler. In Jesus´ name. AMEN!