Curses, part two: What are they?
Discussion question for October 15, 2010.
Last week we discussed generational curses, and this week we want to talk about curses in a more general sense. How would you define a curse? What evidence is there that you are under a curse? What remedy is available? When should you concern yourself about curses?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
Another great time to talk about Truth and consequences. Truth: God’s character (reflected in all of creation) is to be fruitful and multiply. Life and blessings multiply, but so do death and curses. Each successive generation is deeper under the influence of a curse.
They cycle is applicable on the personal level, as well as the generational level. First there is sin, a willful act of rebellion against God’s character. Then comes a curse, the result of the sin. The curse is expressed in temptation. This temptation leads a person to make a willful act of rebellion (sin). That sin leads to curse leads to temptation leads to sin leads to curse …
The only way to break this cycle is through atonement. The sin has to be atoned for at the pre-curse level. Jesus became the curse. When we allow God to atone for our sin, then the willful act of rebellion leads to a curse against Jesus instead of back on us. This atonement is often referred to as being forgiven.
The steps of being forgiven begin with confession. We must confess our sin to God. This means that we admit that we did it, and we admit that it is wrong. Next, we apologize for our sin with a humble heart. That means to beg for mercy from God. Then we repent from the sinful act and toward God and His character. Being forgiven breaks the sin-curse-temptation cycle. It becomes sin-forgiven-recreated.
Generational curses are in the family, passed down from our ancestors. Their sin (willful act of rebellion) became curse to the following generation and acts in temptation. The child of the following generation still has a choice to make, but the temptation is tilted toward the sin. When they choose (willful act) then they have perpetuated the curse to their generation.
Breaking the generational curse requires that the source sins be forgiven. We can do that by confessing the sin of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. We admit that they did it, that we are tempted to do the same, and that it is wrong. Then we ask God to forgive the sin and the tendency to continue sinning. When God forgives, it breaks the power of the curse and the temptation.
Another step then becomes possible: to forgive our ancestors for the sinful choices they made. To forgive them releases the forgiver from carrying the debt of the offense, whether or not the person forgiven accepts it.
When we forgive, it opens the door to blessing (curse-opposite). God will bless us in place of the curse we’ve had when the sin and temptation is forgiven and we release it by forgiving those that gave it to us. But God also blesses them (if still living), and paves the way for healing.
The body of Christ (His church) should become better acquainted with these principles. It is life changing for the individual. It is promise giving to their children and their children’s children. It is restorative to the generations that came before. It brings glory to God.