Sermon:Curses

 WHAT IS A CURSE?

•Curses are negative declarations or pronouncements that bring misfortune, hardship, or judgment, often with spiritual implications.

•A curse is an expressed evil wish against someone else, so that misfortune can befall him.

• An evil pronouncement made against another to afflict harm.

•Pronouncements of judgement,often resulting in negative consequences. 

•A evil word spoken against a place and its inhabitants(2 Kings 22:19)

•Divine judgment that God inflicts on individuals for disobeying His commands or violating His laws.

FORMS OF CURSES

▪︎Self-imposed curses: These are curses individuals bring upon themselves through wrong choice of  words, actions, or vows.

-Matthew 27:25 : “And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’”

-Proverbs 6:2:“You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.”

-Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

▪︎Generational Curses: These are curses passed down from one generation to another due to ancestral sins or iniquities.

-Exodus 20:5: “…Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

-Lamentations 5:7 :“Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their iniquities.”

▪︎Parental Curses: These occur when a parent curses their child either knowingly or ignorantly. It can also be due to dishonor from the child.

-Genesis 9:25: “Then he said: ‘Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.’' (Noah cursed Canaan, the son of Ham.)

-Proverbs 20:20:“Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.”

▪︎Spiritual Curses: These are curses invoked due to spiritual violations such as breaking covenants, engaging in idolatry, or disobedience to spiritual laws.

-Galatians 1:8 :“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you… let him be accursed.”

-Joshua 7:12: “Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies… because they have become doomed to destruction.”(The curse came due to Achan’s sin.)

-Galatians 3:10-13,"Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are  written in the book of the Law, and do them.'..... Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us..."

▪︎Divine Curses: These are curses pronounced by God as a consequence of disobedience, sin or rebellion.

-Deuteronomy 28:15–68 – Lists the curses that come upon those who disobey God’s commandments.

-Genesis 3:17 – “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it…”(God cursed the ground because of Adam’s sin.)

-Malachi 3:9 – “You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me…”

•Prophetic or Priestly Curses :These are curses declared by God's anointed servants—prophets or priests often due to rebellion, dishonor, or sin.

-2 Kings 2:24 :“So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord.”(Elisha cursed mocking youths.)

-Numbers 22:24 -Balaam was hired to curse Israel, though God restrained him.

•Occultic or Demonic Curses:These are curses released through witchcraft, sorcery, or demonic manipulation.

-Deuteronomy 18:10–12: “There shall not be found among you… a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells…”(Engaging with the occult invites curses).

-Numbers 23:23: “For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel.”

•Curses from Authorities: Curses issued by those in authority (kings, rulers, elders, spiritual leaders) often carry spiritual weight due to their God-given positions.

-Ecclesiastes 10:20 :“Do not curse the king, even in your thought...”

-Genesis 31:32: “With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live.”(Jacob unknowingly cursed Rachel).

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT CURSES 

●Disobedience to God's laws leads to curses.

-Deuteronomy 28:15-68: Curses of disobedience includes,Confusion, plagues, severe burning fever, inflammation, boils, madness,blindness,Lack of prosperity, children held captive,serious and prolonged sicknesses,a trembling heart, failing eyes,anguish of soul and death.

●Failure to uphold the Law leads to curses.

-Galatians 3:10: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law,to do them" 

●Someone can be hired to place a curse on another person.

-Numbers 22:6: Balaam was hired to curse Israel because they are mighty.

●Curses can be placed on priests who do not give glory to God.

-Malachi 2:2:,"If you will not hear,and if you will not take it to heart,to give glory to My name,"says the Lord of hosts,"I will send a curse upon you,And I will curse your blessings."

●Whoever loves cursing, it will come upon him and blessing will be far from him.

-Psalm 109:17,"As he loved cursing,so let it come to him;As he did not delight in blessing,so let it be far from him."

●Curses can be placed on a person’s soul.

-Job 31:30,"Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for a curse on his soul."

●God is able to turn curses into blessings.

-Nehemiah 13:2,"However,our God turned the curse into a blessing."

●Curses can be placed against a nation and its inhabitants.

-2 Kings 22:19,"When you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants,that they would become a desolation and a curse."

•The Lord’s curse is upon the house of the wicked, but His blessing rests on the home of the righteous.

-Proverbs 3:33,"The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked(Proverbs 3:33)

•Those who oppose God and engage in corrupt practices will have their legacy remembered negatively.

-Isaiah 65:15 ,"You shall leave your name as a curse to my chosen.

●The Lord can issue a curse against a city.

-Jeremiah 26:6 states," I will make this house like Shiloh,and will make this city a curse to all nations of the earth. 

●Curses can go over the face of the whole earth.

-Zechariah 5:3,"This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth."

●The Lord can send out curses to enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by His name.(Zechariah 5:4)

●The Lord can put curses on your enemies, on those who hate you and those who persecute .

-Deuteronomy 30:7,"Also the Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you,who persecuted you."

●Through Christ's sacrifice, the penalties for sin and the resulting curses can be overcomed.

-Galatians 3:13,"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,having become a curse for us."

●The tongue should not be used to bless God and curse others.Cursing, whether it is verbal or relational, contradicts the nature of love and respect we owe to others.

-James 3:9-10,"With it we bless our God and Father,and with it we curse men,who have been made in the similtude of God.Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing."

●Curses can be pronounced in the name of the Lord.

-2 Kings 2:24,"So he turned around and looked at them,and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord."

●Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death(Exodus 21:17)

●For a curse to have impact,there must be a justifiable cause behind it.If someone curses another without a valid reason,that curse is ineffective. 

-Proverbs 26:2,"So a curse without cause shall not alight."

SIGNS THAT SUGGESTS THAT A PERSON IS LIVING A CURSED LIFE

▪︎Disobedience to God: The consequences of disobedience, include curses such as unfruitfulness, confusion of heart,Illness, insanity, blindness,destruction,defeat by your enemies,lack of assurance of life,a trembling heart,anguish of soul and death.(Deuteronomy 28:15-68)

▪︎Consistent misfortune:Persistent trouble is an indication of a cursed life.

-Proverbs 3:33,"The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous," .

▪︎Lack of Peace:Inner turmoil and restlessness can be signs of a cursed state.

- Isaiah 48:22, "There is no peace for the wicked," 

▪︎Rejection of God’s ways: Living a life that rejects God’s guidance may lead to a cursed life.

-Psalm 1:6,"The way of the ungodly shall perish. 

▪︎Isolation from others: When someone isolates himself,It can be an indication of a cursed life ,because the person is cut off from supportive relationships which may help him spiritually.

-Proverbs 18:1,"A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;He rages against all wise judgement."

▪︎Spiritual drought: When you feel empty or you sense that your heart has departed from the Lord,it may indicate that you're cursed.

-Jeremiah 17:5,"Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength,whose heart departs from the Lord."

▪︎Unfruitfulness can be a sign of a cursed life.

-Matthew 7:17-19,"Every good tree bears good fruit,but a bad tree bears bad fruit....."

▪︎Idolatry: Engaging in the worship of carved or molded images indicates a rejection of true worship and a cursed life.

 -Deuteronomy 27:15,"Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image and sets it up in secret.

▪︎Disrespect for Parents: Treating one’s parents with contempt shows a breakdown of familial honor and sign of a cursed life.

-Deuteronomy 27:16,"Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.

▪︎Dishonesty in Property: Moving a neighbor's landmark reflects greed and a lack of integrity.This indicates a cursed life.

-Deuteronomy 27:17,"Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor's landmark.

▪︎Exploitation of the Vulnerable:Causing the blind to wander off the road symbolizes a disregard for the well-being of those who are vulnerable and a cursed life.

-Deuteronomy 27:18,"Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.

▪︎Injustice:Perverting justice for the marginalized (strangers, orphans, and widows) indicates a heart that is unjust and unkind.It also indicates a cursed life.

 -Deuteronomy 27:19,"Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger,the fatherless,and widow.

▪︎Sexual Immorality: Engaging in sexual relations that violate familial or moral boundaries signifies a departure from God's standards,indicates a cursed life.

 -Deuteronomy 27:20,"Cursed is the one who lies with his father's wife.

-Deuteronomy 27:21,"Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal.

-Deuteronomy 27:22,"Cursed is the one who lies with his sister,the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.

-Deuteronomy 27:23,"Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.

▪︎Secret Malice: Attacking a neighbor in secret shows deceit and lack of integrity and sign of a cursed life.

-Deuteronomy 27:24,"Cursed is the one who attacks his neighbor secretly.

▪︎Corruption:Taking a bribe to harm the innocent highlights moral corruption and a lack of justice.This indicates a cursed life.

-Deuteronomy 27:25,"Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.

▪︎Disobedience to God's Law: Failing to uphold the law indicates a disregard for God's commandments, leading to a life out of alignment with His will.This show sign of a cursed life.

-Deuteronomy 27:26,"Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of the law by observing them.

PEOPLE CURSED IN THE BIBLE

◇Cain, after murdering Abel, was cursed by God.

-Genesis 4:11-12,"So now you are cursed from the earth.....when you till the ground,it shall no longer yield its strength to you.A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on earth."

◇The House of Eli: Eli, the priest, received a curse concerning his family because he failed to restrain his sons, who were corrupt. God declared that his descendants would not live to old age.

-1 Samuel 2:31-34,"Behold the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father's house,so that there will not be an old man in your house...."

◇The House of Ahab: A curse was placed on Ahab’s lineage, stating that all male descendants would die and dogs/birds shall eat whoever belongs to him.

 -1 Kings 21:21,"I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel,both bond and free."

-1 Kings 21:24,"The dogs shall eat whoever belongs to Ahab and dies in the city,and the birds shall eat whoever dies in the field."

◇The Lineage of Jehoiakim:A curse was placed on him that none of his descendant shall prosper on the throne of David (Jeremiah 22:30).

 ◇Canaan by Noah that he will be a servant to his brethren. 

-Genesis 9:25"Cursed be Canaan;A servant of servants  He shall be to his brethren."

HOW TO BREAK FREE FROM CURSES

□Repentance: Acknowledge any sin or disobedience that may have contributed to the curse. Repentance is essential for receiving God’s forgiveness and breaking any curse.

□Prayer: Seek God earnestly in prayer. Ask for His deliverance from any curses. 

□Confession: Confess any known sins, generational sins and renounce any ties to past behaviors or family patterns.

□Forgiveness: Extend forgiveness to those who may have wronged you. Holding onto bitterness can keep you bound.

□Claiming Scripture:Use Scripture as a weapon against curses. 

□Worship and Praise: Engage in worship as a means of declaring God’s sovereignty and power. 

□Seek Support:Connect with a pastor or a Christian community for prayer support and guidance.

□Study the Word: Immerse yourself in the Bible to understand your identity in Christ and the promises of God regarding freedom and victory.

□Live Righteously: Strive to live according to God’s Word, making choices that reflect your faith and commitment to Him.

PRAYERS TO BREAK CURSES

1) Any evil word spoken against my life and habitation that is negatively influencing my life,be anulled,in Jesus name.

2)Any curse that entered my life through ungodly relationships, I command it to break in Jesus' name."

3)Satanic agents hired to curse me,be confused and frustrated in the name of Jesus.

4)Curses placed upon my children break in the mighty name of Jesus.

5)Any evil consultations made against me to harm me,be destroyed in Jesus name.

6)Curses placed on my home and on my properties break in Jesus name.

7)Curses without a cause issued against me and my family,break in Jesus name.

8)Father,let the angels wage war against the powers of darkness that are fighting against me,in Jesus name.

9)Curses placed upon my blessings,break in the name of Jesus.

10)I destroy every evil imagination against me,in the name of Jesus.

11)Stumbling blocks put upon my paths,be destroyed in Jesus name.

12)Curses placed on my life be destroyed completely, in Jesus name.

13)Curse words heaped up against me, break in the name of Jesus.

14)Curses issued against me by my enemies, break in Jesus name.

15)Curses issued against my family,break in the name of Jesus.

16)Father,deliver me from the hand of the wicked and redeem me from the grip of the terrible,in Jesus name.

17)Any evil wish made  against my life,be destroyed in the name of Jesus.

18)I will not experience hardship in life, in Jesus name.

19)Father, may I live in a way that reflects your grace, in the name of Jesus.

20)Any evil pronouncement made against me,be destroyed in the name of Jesus.

Thank you for answering my prayers, in Jesus name.