7/39 What about the Blessings and Curses in Christian Foundations?
As we saw earlier, what we think about a situation controls us, not what actually happened. That is, the past cannot affect us in the natural – now. However, when it comes to the spiritual world, what happens to us today can have its roots in the past.
So what do we mean by Curses and blessings?
A ‘curse’ is the unbreakable or unstoppable result when some sin or iniquity is committed. It is the consequence that follows us when unrepentant actions by ourselves, or others, have offended God. A blessing also has unstoppable consequences from having God’s favour in some way.
Many Scriptural references can be found to show that we receive blessings and curses because of others’ actions (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 5:9-10). Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we have been set free of curses (Isaiah 53:6b; Jeremiah 31:29-30; Galatians 3:13), but we need to appropriate our freedom through deliberate choice and repentance.
1. Signs of a curse in someone’s life:
A curse can appear through repeated cycles that seem to hold a person back, or force them into a behaviour they would not choose. It may seem like a ‘negative atmosphere’ that surrounds them. It often seen in cycles of struggles against something in the present.
2. Patterns that did not originate with the individual.
A curse may be something that can be seen in previous generations. Such patterns may apply to a family, a community, a church or a nation.
3. How do curses start?
No curse can ‘activate’ without a cause. (Proverbs 26:2) We must somehow ‘activate’ the curse in the present to receive it ourselves. This means that: A curse cannot take effect unless there is a cause. Where there is a curse at work, there must be a cause.
Some sins are so destructive and common, God made a list of the top ten to avoid. He called these “The 10 Commandments”
4. Different Types of Curses.
a. An authority’s spoken words can bring a blessing or a curse. Teachers, parents, siblings, pastors and other significant people can have a great impact on a child’s life.
b. God Himself blesses and curses.
c. All occult activities bring a curse, as contact with a satanic power source brings consequences.
d. People who falsely say they speak on behalf of God, can bring a curse on their life (Joshua 6:26; 2 Samuel 1:21).
e. Self-imposed curses, like inner vows, heart lies or binding one’s self to unscriptural covenants (Exodus 23:32; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
f. Curses from the servants of Satan, e.g. Witch doctors (Numbers 22:4-6; 1 Samuel 17:43).
g. Some Objects in our home associated with superstition, idolatrous worship, false religions or occult practices (Deuteronomy 7:26).
h. All forms of illicit or unnatural sex, incest, and abuse or perversion, will bring a curse.
5. Common indicators of curses.
Derrick Prince, in his book, ‘From Curse to Blessing’, lists seven common indicators he has found from his teaching ministry:
a. Mental and/or emotional breakdowns.
b. Repeated or chronic sicknesses, especially if they are hereditary or without clear medical diagnosis.
c. Repeated miscarriages or related female problems.
d. The breakdown of marriages and family alienation.
e. Continued financial insufficiencies, especially where the income appears to be sufficient.
f. Being accident prone.
g. A family history of unnatural deaths or suicide.1
6. Breaking curses.
We don’t have to live under a curse. The work of the Cross of Jesus Christ has found a 
way for us to be free. Following are some guidelines to help get rid of these pests.
General Principles.
a. Be accountable to a Holy God for offending Him.
b. Forgive those responsible.
c. Accept and apply the work of the Cross.
Specific Prayer.
a. Confess and repent of own sin (1 John 1:9).
b. Acknowledge ancestral sin (Exodus 20:5).
c. Ask God to forgive and release the family from their ‘debt’.
d. Receive God’s forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).
e. Forgive anyone involved in the curse, including yourself (Matthew 6:14-15).
f. Ask God to bless those concerned (Luke 6:28).
g. Claim the promise of deliverance (Galatians 3:13).
h. Use the authority we have been given to break the curse (Mark 16:17, Acts 1:8).
i. Speak aloud to the spirit realm “I break this curse in Jesus Name” (Romans10:10).
j. Check with Jesus to see if the ‘spirit’ behind the curse has also left. If not ask Him what He wants done.
k. Ask the Lord what He wants to replace the curse with in your life.
l. Praise and worship Him for His goodness in releasing you.
Like much of our walk with Jesus, being freed from generational sin is a process. We need the discernment of the Holy Spirit to understand and learn to deal with curses.
References for this study on Blessings and Curses:
Fred Dickinson. (1987) ‘Demon Possession & the Christian’, Moody Press, Chicago, USA.
Daniel and Susan Fengler. (1999) Unit 12, “The Psychology of Jesus”, Christ Centred Living Course, CBC, Melbourne, Australia.
Noel and Phyl Gibson. (1984) ‘Evicting Demonic Squatters and Breaking Bondages’, Freedom in Christ Ministries Trust, NSW, Australia.
Leanne Payne. (1991) ‘Restoring the Christian Soul’, Crossway Books, Illinois, USA.
Derrick Prince. (1986) ‘From Curse to Blessing’, Derek Prince Ministries, NZ.
Liberty Savard. (1998) ‘Shattering your Strongholds’, Bridge-Logos New Jersey, USA.
Bill Subritzky. (1982) ‘Demons Defeated’, Dove Ministries, NZ.
HOMEWORK
Identify any patterns in your life that might be curses. Pray them through using the above procedure. If you run into problems, ask someone you trust to pray with you.
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info
Tags: Breaking curses, curses, God's blessings
Filed under: From Slave to Sonship
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