The word “curse” is found throughout the Old and New Testament. In general, it involves a “wish” in thought, word or action, that evil would come on another.
In the OT, the Israelites understood the meaning of the word Curse. Coming from God, it was meant to protect the terms of the covenant by expressing the penalties for those who did not respect and obey His Laws. Ex. (Leviticus 10:1-7“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers (fire pan for offerings made of brass), put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord”)
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A curse was meant to “protect the terms” of the covenant with Gods people
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A curse is the penalty to be paid for breaking the Law given by God to Moses.
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A “consequence” will occur because of disobedience and rebellion.
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Curses are words spoken, coming from some sort of spiritual authority, (either good or evil), when set-in motion, it can go on generation after generation if not stopped. Behind words is a spiritual power: God or satan. –Derek Prince
Generally, curses come from 3 places.
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God
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Others
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Self
God- First Biblical “curse,” while not labeled as a curse, was Adam and Eve in the Garden. “The choice” of disobedience, resulted in a curse and banning from the garden. We see the same in the flood and the plagues in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NIV)
26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— 27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; 28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
While it is clear that these examples are specifically for the Israelites, God is serious about obedience and the breaking of His laws. It is clear that all peoplecan be under a curse because of disobedience. His desire is that we follow HisWord and apply it to our lives in EVERY situation. He wants us to be in relationship with Him. He wants us to WANT Him as a Loving Father. Our Abba Father.
Proverbs 3:33 (NIV) 33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,but He blesses the home of the righteous.
Others-The curse that comes from others should NOT have much power behind it. But, when it comes from spiritual or relational authority, Mother Father, sibling, friend, Pastor leader or anyone we care about, it wounds deeply in our soul. Unfortunately, even simple sayings like, “if you go out in the rain, you’ll catch a cold,’ “you’ll never amount to anything,” “your so dumb” “why can’t you be like your brother/sister,” “what’s wrong with you?” Words spoken in anger or any slander or putdown in a negative fashion are called “word curses” and they will result in negative behaviors, reactions, responses and wounds. It then becomes who or how we see ourselves. It is only by Gods Grace that some of us have survived the growing up process. The scars and resulted brokenness along with unhealed wounds in our souls (mind, will and emotions) are what we see all around us today. To make things worse, we have the media filling our minds with worry and fear. They make it their full-time job to bring the worlds worries and fears right into our homes. Negative information through TV and social media can act as a curse especially if you have no other positive information coming into your soul.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 2, NKJV).
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3, NKJV).
I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You” (Psalm 41:4, NKJV).
Our journey with the Lord, is one of constant healing in our souls.
Self – Even more distressing than “others” and I believe this breaks the Fathers heart greatly, is when we curse ourselves. We learn this from our parents, family, friends and the culture we grow up in, and now media.
Here are some examples. “Can’t start my day without coffee, can’t remember names, I will always have money problems, I will always be overweight, I can’t read the Bible, I don’t understand it, I will never have friends…” These statements are open doors to more repetitive statements that form beliefs and become our character and possibly our destiny. It also opens the doors to demonic oppression. (anger, anxiety, depression, frustration.) Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians (6:12; 10:23) tell us NOT to be underthe bondages of anything or anyone’s opinions, other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He teaches us in Philippians 4:11-13to be CONTENT in every situation, even in a morning without coffee!!
Paul never says “I can’t.”
” Jesus said in Mathew 22:37“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your SOULand with all your MIND.‘ And in Luke10:27‘Love the Lord your God with all your HEARTand with all your SOULand with all your STRENGTHand with all your MIND’and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Colossians 3:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].