9 June 2013 by Natasha Kim CM-
When observing the New Testament and the Old Testament of the Bible you will find that these two words, namely blessings and curses occur several times in several forms. Blessings occur about 600 times in the Bible while curses occur close to 300 times.
Rev Derek Prince an international Bible teacher was best known in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles (although his teachings were distinctly non-denominational) believed that some people go through frustration in their lives, that when they’re almost about to succeed something intervenes and keeps them from success, from being complete, from being free.
In his book “Explaining Blessings and Curses” he mentioned, “I believe, in many cases, the problem they are fighting, which they have never diagnosed or come fully to grips with, is that there is a curse over their life.”
Curses
The characteristic feature is that most often curses continue on from generation to generation, even for thousands of years, until someone knows how to put a stop to it. Ever heard someone say, “The same thing happened to my mother and my grandmother too. I think it runs in the family.” Something is shutting God’s blessing. Saying, “You know.. it’s uncanny” could be compared to a red warning light.
Some experience events or situations for which you can find no natural or logical reason and there seems to be some force at work that is not completely subject to the usual laws of nature or of averages.
The seven types of Curses that fall on the lives of people:-
– Humiliation
– Failure to Reproduce or barrenness
– Sickness of every kind
– Poverty or failure
– Defeat
– You’re the tail and not the head
– You’re beneath and not above
Instances in the Bible where the cause of Curses are told:-
Idolatry and False Gods
"And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: 'Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen!'
(Deuteronomy 27:14 -15)
Dishonouring parents
It’s often said that dishonouring parents is a bad thing. Honouring your parents seems like a simple enough thing to do yet many find it difficult. The Bible mentions that we should be obedient. Since there is no way around it, it’s best to do it so that your blessings will not be cut off. According to the Word abundant blessings await when you obey.
“Honour thy father and mother that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on earth.”
(Exodus 20:12)
Unlawful or unnatural sex
Today we have to acknowledge the fact that there are millions of children who are victimized by people, sometimes even their own fathers or other relatives. According to Derek, any form of unnatural sex brings a curse. “This includes any form of homosexuality or bestiality, as will sexual relationships with members of your family.”
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord. “For he will be like a bush in the desert, and will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant.
(Jeremiah 17:5 -6)
False Swearing
“And he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished.
The Lord Almighty declares, ‘I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.”
(Zechariah 5: 3- 4)
Self-imposed Curses
These are curses that people declare unto themselves and are more common than you think. Remember that your words are powerful.
There was a story in the Bible where Rebekah tried to persuade Jacob to attain Isaac’s blessing through deceit. Jacob was afraid of being found out and said,
"Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing." But his mother said to him, "Your curse be on me, my son ;only obey my voice, and go, get them for me."
(Genesis 27:12, 13)
What his mother did was she took on his curse and pronounced it on herself.
Soulish Prayer or Utterances
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(James 3: 14 – 18)
Derived from the verse is two kinds of wisdom, and what happens when you choose the one which isn’t from.
According to Derek Prince, “There are some people whose prayers you would be better off without.” As shocking as it may sound, it is a known fact that some people try to control people through their prayers.
“They have their own ideas about where you should live, or whom you should marry, or what form of ministry you should take. Yet their ideas do not come from God’s will.
In his book, Derek also mentioned this about people talking about others. It is all around, people sitting down and criticizing one another, trying to run each other down. Some don’t even realize it. It is true however that there is so much negative power that comes from doing so.
Unscriptural Covenants
“You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods."
(Exodus 23:32)
A covenant is a very solemn agreement. “As Christians, we are all in a covenant relationship with one another through the blood of Jesus. The only other covenant that is valid for Christians is the covenant of marriage between a man and his wife to enter into a covenant relationship with people on any other basis but these can be dangerous, Derek wrote.
A covenant is powerful and affects those who choose to enter it powerfully. He also shared that spiritual covenants are a blessing and that if it’s the other way around, unfortunately the result would be a curse.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you.
References
Derek Prince, Blessing and Curses, Derek Prince Ministries – International (1994)
http://mudpreacher.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/blessingorcurse.jpg
http://www.shutterbug.com/images/imagecache/960wide/photopost/data/574/20279The_last_leaf.jpg
http://evsujbade.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/tears2.jpg
http://visionwealthmn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/wipe-tears-away-bible-541.jpg
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