Some people teach that there is nothing like curses in the New Testament especially for believers, as Christ has carried it away and paid fully for our freedom. (Gal.3: 13,14; 5:1).
But the fact that the divine curse placed on those that don’t keep the law which was done away with at Calvary, Jesus Christ has become a curse by taking the penalty of the curse, on one hand; and the spoiling of principalities and powers by His death does not mean that curses are no longer existent; just as having received the stripes and being bruised does not mean that we cannot be sick or have sorrow again (Isa.53:4,5; Gal.3:13). Evidence abounds of genuine children of God struggling under the influence of some curse or negative force. We shall look at (a) the Definition of Curses (s) the Diagnosis of Curses (c) Dealing with Curses.
(A) DEFINITION OF “CURSE”
The concept of curses prevalent in the Old Testament covered “prediction, wishing or paying for or causing great trouble on someone”; “calling for an object to be a source of such trouble”. It goes with the experience of some form of strange disaster.
The ancient near eastern idea which aligns with some Old Testament scriptures (Pro.18:21; Isa.55:10,11) states that the formally spoken word had both an independent existence and the power of its own fulfillment; hence the place of blessing and cursing.
The Hebrews words qalab (pron. kaw-lab) and arar (pron, aw-rar) which means “to be (causatively make) light i.e. “to be trifling with a somewhat negative connotation; and “to execrate” (which is parallel with bless) respectively.
In the New Testament, the act of cursing sometimes means wishing misfortune on someone (Lk.6:28; Rom.12:18; Jas.3:9-10).
In our context, a “curse” is simply “an evil or negative operating principle (or force or law) in a life, family, place, etc” due to an intended action of another.
(B) DIAGNOSIS OF CURSES
Many a time, curses are concealed and victims groan under the yoke ignorant of the source/cause. And even when suggestions that can bring liberation are made, the response with be negative or the option will be to choose Satan’s mechanism which can never give true liberty.
It is, therefore, necessary to know the kinds of curses based on source namely (a) Divine (b) Demonic (c) Human.
The Divine is always due to disobedience to God’s injunctions or resistance to His people (Gen.12:2; Deut.28:15; Mal.3:9).
The Demonic originate from devils, following some form of covenant or subjection to them (Job 1:12-19; 2:4-9; ). The human comes from persons placed in vantage positions by virtue of divine positioning (as parents or servants of God) or demonic empowerment (Gen.9:22-27; Jos.6:26; 1Kgs.16:34; 2Kgs.2:23-24; 5:27; Acts 8:9-11).
The following suggest curses:
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- The existence of a negative trend constantly running in a life or family
- The existence of a negative trend is consistent in a place of residence or building – haunted houses or streets.
- The development of negative unyielding experiences after contact with some agent of darkness (native doctor, pastor/priest, neighbor, place of worship; séances
- Involvement in cults – initiation rites, the practice of sorcery, ritual.
- History of ancestral abominable activities: sorceries, murders, kidnapping, brothels.
- Dealing in Blood money: obtained via ritual or via loan (money lenders).
- The signing of demonic covenants in ignorance: on the internet; via giftings; some legal papers with ulterior motives.
- Keeping demonic articles/artifacts with uncanny manifestations.
- Negative pronouncement of a man of God – following genuine provocation.
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- Identify with Christ in salvation (Num.23:29).
- Identify the cause/source of the curse (Pro.26:2).
- Repent of probable causes of the curse (Pro.28:13).
- Pray for freedom/submit to assistance by servants of God (2Chro.7:14; Ezek.18:1-4).
This corporate fasting exercise is a great medium of massive deliverance to the needy. (Matt.18:18; 17:20-21)
The Lord knows about the concealed operations and has given the church authority to destroy them. (Isa.10:27; Jer.1:10; Matt.18:18; Jn.20.21).