Why do bad or tragic things happen? When “stuff” happens we always want to have an answer especially when the “stuff” is bad or tragic. One of the excuses that people use is that there is a curse of some kind on you or your family. Why did I lose my job? I’m cursed! Why did my marriage break up? I’m cursed! Why did this illness, this diagnosis, this event occur? My family is cursed! Cursed, cursed, cursed!
This is not just the excuse for unbelievers; a lot of Christians believe that bad or tragic things are the result of some sort of curse too. There's a tendency today for Christians to blame every sin, illness, and problem on some sort of curse. It is true that sin has consequences, and those consequences affect your life. But is that a curse?
In order for a Christian to believe that something happened because of a curse they have to believe that the blessings of faith can be undone by a curse. If a follower of Jesus can be cursed, does this not mean that they still live under the dark dominion of this world? How can a curse be placed on someone who is under Christ’s redemptive love?
Christians cannot be cursed because they have been united with Jesus who is their Lord and Savior. Cursing can have no effect for those sanctified in Christ Jesus.
What is cursing?
First let’s look at a definition of curse because it’s very important in determining if curses are from God or some other place and if the scriptures people use to defend curses are appropriate.
Here is the definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curse)
: an offensive word that people say when they are angry
: magical words that are said to cause trouble or bad luck for someone or the condition that results when such words are said
: a cause of trouble or bad luck
Let’s start with a scripture that most people use as the argument that God is the one who initiates the curse which has repercussions down through generations.
Exodus 20:5 (HCSB) “5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth ⌊generations⌋ of those who hate Me,”
Based on this scripture alone, generational curses are real and biblical, and God himself will punish the fathers and the following generations.
The warning that God gives here is part of the Old Testament Law given to the nation of Israel not to individuals. It is for the specific sin of idolatry.
The sons did what the fathers did which was practice idolatry so the punishment that God promised was felt by the sons, not because they were the sons of men who practiced idolatry but because they continued the practice. The nation could have repented and stopped the practice of idolatry at any time and God would have relented. Here are some examples:
And for good measure here’s the verse right after Exodus 20:5, the one used most often by the generational curse proponents,
Exodus 20:6 (HCSB) 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand ⌊generations⌋ of those who love Me and keep My commands.
This time God’s love and grace is to a thousand generations while His wrath is to only the third and fourth generations.
Let’s look a little deeper. Scripture uses the language of “cursing” in two separate ways. There is a difference between a verbal curse and a spiritual curse. A verbal curse is to speak ill of someone; to use our words to tear down or dehumanize. A verbal curse amounts to insult and ridicule.
Matthew 15:4 HCSB For God said: Honor your father and your mother; and, The one who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.
This is an example of someone speaking despairingly or cursing your parents. A verbal curse is just words. These words have no spiritual power over us. It may be hurtful, but it is not authoritative.
But what about this verse you ask?
Proverbs 18:21 HCSB Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Words can hurt but the words of people have no spiritual power or authority only the words of God have spiritual power and authority. Words from another human being cannot add or subtract days to or from your life.
The negative words of others have no bearing on the truth of our lives. Jesus calls us to respond to words that tear down and destroy with words that build up and heal.
Luke 6:27-30 HCSB “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back.
Spiritual Curses
There are spiritual curses in scripture. An example of this is when Jesus cursed the fig tree.
Matthew 21:18-19 HCSB Early in the morning, as He was returning to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And He said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again! ” At once the fig tree withered.
This curse was more than a matter of words alone, but an expression of spiritual power and authority. To be cursed spiritually is to be affected spiritually in some negative way.
Because a Christian is under the authority of Christ and is protected by His redemptive power it is impossible for a Christian to fall under a spiritual curse. There is no spiritual power that can rival Christ’s authority.
Colossians 2:8-10 HCSB Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
This is not just the excuse for unbelievers; a lot of Christians believe that bad or tragic things are the result of some sort of curse too. There's a tendency today for Christians to blame every sin, illness, and problem on some sort of curse. It is true that sin has consequences, and those consequences affect your life. But is that a curse?
In order for a Christian to believe that something happened because of a curse they have to believe that the blessings of faith can be undone by a curse. If a follower of Jesus can be cursed, does this not mean that they still live under the dark dominion of this world? How can a curse be placed on someone who is under Christ’s redemptive love?
Christians cannot be cursed because they have been united with Jesus who is their Lord and Savior. Cursing can have no effect for those sanctified in Christ Jesus.
What is cursing?
First let’s look at a definition of curse because it’s very important in determining if curses are from God or some other place and if the scriptures people use to defend curses are appropriate.
Here is the definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curse)
: an offensive word that people say when they are angry
: magical words that are said to cause trouble or bad luck for someone or the condition that results when such words are said
: a cause of trouble or bad luck
Let’s start with a scripture that most people use as the argument that God is the one who initiates the curse which has repercussions down through generations.
Exodus 20:5 (HCSB) “5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth ⌊generations⌋ of those who hate Me,”
Based on this scripture alone, generational curses are real and biblical, and God himself will punish the fathers and the following generations.
The warning that God gives here is part of the Old Testament Law given to the nation of Israel not to individuals. It is for the specific sin of idolatry.
The sons did what the fathers did which was practice idolatry so the punishment that God promised was felt by the sons, not because they were the sons of men who practiced idolatry but because they continued the practice. The nation could have repented and stopped the practice of idolatry at any time and God would have relented. Here are some examples:
- Judges 3:9 (HCSB) 9 The Israelites cried out to the LORD. So the LORD raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s youngest brother, as a deliverer to save the Israelites.
- Judges 3:15 (HCSB) 15 Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him to Eglon king of Moab with tribute ⌊money⌋.
- 1 Samuel 12:10-11 (HCSB) 10 Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we abandoned the LORD and worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the power of our enemies, and we will serve You.’ 11 So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel. He rescued you from the power of the enemies around you, and you lived securely.
And for good measure here’s the verse right after Exodus 20:5, the one used most often by the generational curse proponents,
Exodus 20:6 (HCSB) 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand ⌊generations⌋ of those who love Me and keep My commands.
This time God’s love and grace is to a thousand generations while His wrath is to only the third and fourth generations.
Let’s look a little deeper. Scripture uses the language of “cursing” in two separate ways. There is a difference between a verbal curse and a spiritual curse. A verbal curse is to speak ill of someone; to use our words to tear down or dehumanize. A verbal curse amounts to insult and ridicule.
Matthew 15:4 HCSB For God said: Honor your father and your mother; and, The one who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.
This is an example of someone speaking despairingly or cursing your parents. A verbal curse is just words. These words have no spiritual power over us. It may be hurtful, but it is not authoritative.
But what about this verse you ask?
Proverbs 18:21 HCSB Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Words can hurt but the words of people have no spiritual power or authority only the words of God have spiritual power and authority. Words from another human being cannot add or subtract days to or from your life.
The negative words of others have no bearing on the truth of our lives. Jesus calls us to respond to words that tear down and destroy with words that build up and heal.
Luke 6:27-30 HCSB “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back.
Spiritual Curses
There are spiritual curses in scripture. An example of this is when Jesus cursed the fig tree.
Matthew 21:18-19 HCSB Early in the morning, as He was returning to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And He said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again! ” At once the fig tree withered.
This curse was more than a matter of words alone, but an expression of spiritual power and authority. To be cursed spiritually is to be affected spiritually in some negative way.
Because a Christian is under the authority of Christ and is protected by His redemptive power it is impossible for a Christian to fall under a spiritual curse. There is no spiritual power that can rival Christ’s authority.
Colossians 2:8-10 HCSB Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Spiritual curses are under God’s authority.
As I said before it is true that there are spiritual curses in scripture. The serpent was cursed with a spiritual curse from God after successfully tempting Adam and Eve to sin.
Genesis 3:14-15 HCSB Then the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
In the book of Numbers, the king of Moab tries to get Balaam to put a curse on Israel (see Numbers chapters 22 through 24). In this case the king of Moab wanted Balaam to put a spiritual curse on Israel because he was afraid of them and so that he could defeat them.
Balaam was smart enough however, to know that he did not have the ability to pronounce and have a spiritual curse happen. Spiritual cursing and blessing is under God’s authority.
Numbers 22:12 HCSB Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”
Numbers 22:38 HCSB Balaam said to him, “Look, I have come to you, but can I say anything I want? I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth.”
The truth about spiritual curses is that they are under the authority of God. The few instances in the Bible where we see spiritual curses, prove that spiritual curses come from God alone.
The bottom line for Christians is that neither Satan, demons or any person has enough power to curse those God has blessed. Although God has power and authority will never direct any curse toward His children, because they live under the redemptive authority of Christ’s blessing and grace. This is the fundamental truth of our lives.
If Christians can be put under a spiritual curse, this brings into question the power of the cross. It suggests that there is a spiritual force that is greater than Christ’s sacrifice. This is a complete denial of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Colossians 1:13-14 HCSB He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.
Christ's victory on the cross makes all the difference.
Romans 8:1-2 HCSB Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
On the cross, Jesus claimed us as God’s own for all eternity. Because of this, we can have the confidence to stand against any negative or destructive force in this world.
Romans 8:1-2 HCSB Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
To even suggest that Christians can be spiritually cursed is to suggest that there is a power stronger than the power and authority of God. To be cursed is to be under the spiritual influence of wickedness and evil, something that is completely impossible for those who are committed to Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:38-39 HCSB For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Jesus took the curse of sin for you.
The cross is the assurance of a Christian’s inability to be cursed. On the cross, Jesus defeated the power of sin and death and destroyed Satan’s hold over this world. On the cross, Jesus took on human cursing. Christians can’t be cursed because Jesus was cursed for us!
Scripture teaches that anyone who is hung on a tree was cursed by God.
Galatians 3:13 HCSB Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.
Although Jesus was sinless by nature, he suffered as if he were accursed, so that we might be delivered from such cursing. The curse was placed on Christ. On the cross, Jesus took our sin, bore our curse, and suffered our spiritual death. In doing so, Jesus takes away any power of a spiritual curse, and His resurrection is proof of that.
If you are a Christian, you never have to worry about a spiritual curse, because you have the Holy Spirit living in you and,
1 John 4:4 HCSB You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
No, Christians cannot be cursed, ever!
As I said before it is true that there are spiritual curses in scripture. The serpent was cursed with a spiritual curse from God after successfully tempting Adam and Eve to sin.
Genesis 3:14-15 HCSB Then the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
In the book of Numbers, the king of Moab tries to get Balaam to put a curse on Israel (see Numbers chapters 22 through 24). In this case the king of Moab wanted Balaam to put a spiritual curse on Israel because he was afraid of them and so that he could defeat them.
Balaam was smart enough however, to know that he did not have the ability to pronounce and have a spiritual curse happen. Spiritual cursing and blessing is under God’s authority.
Numbers 22:12 HCSB Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”
Numbers 22:38 HCSB Balaam said to him, “Look, I have come to you, but can I say anything I want? I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth.”
The truth about spiritual curses is that they are under the authority of God. The few instances in the Bible where we see spiritual curses, prove that spiritual curses come from God alone.
The bottom line for Christians is that neither Satan, demons or any person has enough power to curse those God has blessed. Although God has power and authority will never direct any curse toward His children, because they live under the redemptive authority of Christ’s blessing and grace. This is the fundamental truth of our lives.
If Christians can be put under a spiritual curse, this brings into question the power of the cross. It suggests that there is a spiritual force that is greater than Christ’s sacrifice. This is a complete denial of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Colossians 1:13-14 HCSB He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.
Christ's victory on the cross makes all the difference.
Romans 8:1-2 HCSB Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
On the cross, Jesus claimed us as God’s own for all eternity. Because of this, we can have the confidence to stand against any negative or destructive force in this world.
Romans 8:1-2 HCSB Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
To even suggest that Christians can be spiritually cursed is to suggest that there is a power stronger than the power and authority of God. To be cursed is to be under the spiritual influence of wickedness and evil, something that is completely impossible for those who are committed to Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:38-39 HCSB For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Jesus took the curse of sin for you.
The cross is the assurance of a Christian’s inability to be cursed. On the cross, Jesus defeated the power of sin and death and destroyed Satan’s hold over this world. On the cross, Jesus took on human cursing. Christians can’t be cursed because Jesus was cursed for us!
Scripture teaches that anyone who is hung on a tree was cursed by God.
Galatians 3:13 HCSB Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.
Although Jesus was sinless by nature, he suffered as if he were accursed, so that we might be delivered from such cursing. The curse was placed on Christ. On the cross, Jesus took our sin, bore our curse, and suffered our spiritual death. In doing so, Jesus takes away any power of a spiritual curse, and His resurrection is proof of that.
If you are a Christian, you never have to worry about a spiritual curse, because you have the Holy Spirit living in you and,
1 John 4:4 HCSB You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
No, Christians cannot be cursed, ever!
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