Can Christians Suffer Chastisement?
The powerful lessons here will not only bring healing to our body in many, many cases, it will also empower YOU to minister Gods Word of healing and repentance to others as you learn of the connection between sin and suffering. It will give great understanding for why we had child problems, sickness, accidents and more.
Before we go into the scriptures, I will present the essence of this study as follows:
When we sin, either willfully or ignorantly, we become subject to God's chastising, aka, "the curse" and God will begin to correct us through various means including chastisement.
When we discover or remember our transgression, we may repent, confess our sin, cast out the demon(s) that is applying the curse, and be healed. Usually, but not always, demons are involved. We have personally experienced this and all I can say is look at the scriptures and try it for yourself. Repentance and faith in the Word brings healing.
Why do some children of Christians suffer and even die?
Why do Christians get sick? Why do many Christians die young?
Why do Christians have chronic troubles?
These are questions we have all asked and wondered. What follows is a long blog that gives us many answers to those questions.
I. What is "the curse" of the Lord?
The word" curse is misunderstood and the word punish or chastise may be better understood. However "curse" is used in scripture along with other words and they all agree in one thing, i.e. God is working through them for our good.
We know of a certainty "the curse without a cause does not land" -Prov 26:2.
The New Living Translation renders it:
"Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim"
We know that the curse is given in much detail in Deuteronomy chapter 28, verses 15-68. The law was given because of sin. If we abide in Christ, we are not practicing sin, but when we do sin, the Lord will deal with us as children.
There are 53 verses describing the curse in this chapter alone, and chastising is spoken of all through the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation in many terms, forms, and as experienced by people.
It is called "chastisement" in Hebrews 12, it is called "infirmity", "oppressed by the devil", "sick", "trouble", "weak", "barren", "lack", "poverty", "tormented", and many other words, but it all flows out from the "the curse of the Lord".
In Deut. 28:59 for instance, it says for disobedience:
"then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance."
2Chron 6:28 If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague or whatsoever sickness there be...
"plagues" means : a wound; figuratively carnage, also pestilence: - beaten, blow, plague, slaughter, smote, sore, stripe, stroke.
"sickness" means: malady, anxiety, calamity: - disease, grief, (is) sick (-ness)
The blessings and the curses written in God's Word are of great interest in helping us to understand how God deals with His children and that there is a purpose in everything God does in our life.
It also brings to our understanding that God really means what He said in scripture.
EVERYBODY wants the "blessings" from the the Lord but it seems few have bothered to examine the flip side of the coin. If we studied the effects of the curse we would find that it is quite observable all around us and that the churches are filled with Gods people who are living with the very things God said the curse would manifest:
In Genesis the curse goes over the earth, humanity, animals, and the fallen angels.
There some interesting details.
Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (the curse is upon the animal world and the serpent (inc. satan).
The man:
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (the man, who is also called "dust")
The disciples of Jesus knew and understood this when they asked Jesus about a particular man:
And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Although this man born blind had another created purpose, the disciples knew about the working of the curse. So we see they understood that there was a reason for the curse.
In studying the scriptures, the curse is revealed as troubles such as debt, broken relationships, sickness, death, loss of property, health issues, enemies and people problems, injury, chronic debt, depression, borrowing, loss of children, poverty and lack, mental torment, anguish, lack of peace, problems unceasing, and more.
-It is the opposite of "the blessings".
II.
Let us first ask for the reason why God chastens.
If "the undeserved curse does not land on us", then there must be a reason.
The curse serves the Lord and is sent by Him, in that there is always a reason that the curse comes to us. We are told in many places that it is for our correction, chastisement, learning, and spiritual growth. There are no accidents, God is in control of everything in our lives and the devil cannot touch us except God permits him to.
We know God is "for us", loves us, and desires us to know and love Him. He promised blessings and deliverance from the curse if we serve Him and He promised the curse would come upon those that refuse Him.
He gave this word very plainly in the Old Testament, under the law.
Now, we have a "new" and
"BETTER Covenant", yet our covenant still requires faith, repentance, obedience, and love for the Word given in the New Testament.
There are still blessings and the curse at work in our lives and both work in serving God to bring about His purpose and kingdom in our lives. God does not bless us for sinning, rather He
promised to "chasten" us.
He also promised to bless us when we live according to what pleases Him and He gave us a New Covenant to instruct us in how to please Him. Infact the New Testament blessings are far greater than the Old, as they are revealed as "
the true riches of the kingdom".
God said He created both blessings and the curse.
and He gave the terms and conditions for them.
Isaiah 45:7
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Joshua 8:34
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death,
blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and thy seed may live:
Blessings:
Dt. 7:12
And it shall come to pass, because ye hearken to these ordinances, and keep and do them, that The Lord thy God will keep with thee the covenant and the lovingkindness which he sware unto thy fathers:
13 and he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee; he will also bless the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy ground, thy grain and thy new wine and thine oil, the increase of thy cattle and the young of thy flock, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
14 Thou shalt be blessed above all peoples: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
15 And The LORD will take away from thee all sickness; and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, will he put upon thee, but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
The Curse:
Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
Deuteronomy 28:35
The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore inflammation that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.
Deuteronomy 28:45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee
Deuteronomy 28:61
Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
EVERY PLAGUE NOT WRITTEN... is included? Isn't that what God said?
The curse falls on those who transgress:
Psalms 37:38
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
(transgressors are those who do not keep their covenant. If we hate others, murmer, despise our brother, don't forgive, we then become transgressors)
If Christians (God's New Testament people) are never under the curse anymore, then why are the very things mentioned in the curse happening in the lives of Christians?
The simple answer is that if God's people never sinned, the curse would never need to operate in their life. It was simple back under the Old Testament law and the precept continued throughought the Bible:
In Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked...
What God calls wicked, and what we think it takes to be wicked are very different.
For instance, pride is not a virtue. Yet many boast of their pride like it is a badge of honor. People take pride in their nationality, race, religion, country, Titles, position, and accomplishments.
Let's see a few words God said about a thing called pride:
Job 40:12 Look on every one that is proud, and
bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Psalms 10:2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor:
let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Psalms 119:21
You have rebuked the proud that are cursed, which err from thy commandments.
Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is
proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand,
he shall not be unpunished.
Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon
every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low
Before exalting and lifting ourselves up with titles, Doctor, Reverend, Apostle, Bishop, or any other flattering title, we may want to take a slow look at that verse in Isaiah.
Ignoring the needs of the poor brings a curse:
Proverbs 28:27
He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.
Giving to a rich man brings a curse:
Proverbs 22:16
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Think about that one before sending that "love gift" or tithe to the wealthy preacher or televangelist.
In Psalms 37:21 The wicked borrows, and pays not again
The prophets spoke of the curse:
Jeremiah 17:5
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm (trusting in the words of men of flesh not God),
and whose heart departs from the LORD. (backsliding brings a curse)
Jeremiah 11:3 ...
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed is the man that obeys not the words of this covenant (do we have a New Covenant God expects us to obey?)
Jeremiah 48:10
Cursed be he that does the work of the LORD *deceitfully
(*remissness, treachery: -false, guile, idle, slack, slothful)
Those who serve God for impure motives such as gain, ego, status and those who refuse God's correction:
Zechariah 5:3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that steals shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that swears shall be cut off as on that side according to it
(taking that which does not belong to them and swearing an oath brings a curse)
Not paying our debts brings a curse: and the Lord calls non-payers "wicked".
Prov 3:33
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.
Psalms 37:21 The wicked borrows, and pays not again
God is God and He takes credit for everything that happens.
In the First covenant, He said:
Dt 32:39 See now that
I, even I, am he, And there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal; And there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
God takes credit for afflicting His people and saving them when they repent:
2Chron 6: 26 When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them:
How does He "afflict"?:
28 I
f there be in the land famine, (hunger) if there be pestilence (pests) , if there be blasting (wind damage) or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague or whatsoever sickness there be;
29 what prayer and supplication shall be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own sorrow, ..
Deuteronomy 28:41 You shalt have sons and daughters,
but shall not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.
They will be taken captive to the gangs, peer groups, cults, witchcraft, the occult, pornography, sinful "lifestyles", wicked music, and a pop-culture that is contrary to Godliness .
In early Israel they were taken by the uncircumcised pagan and heathen peoples living around them.
In the New Testament Spiritual Israel, they will be taken captive by the uncircumcised in heart pagan and heathen people all around them.
We see when God's people were captive in Babylon (
like the worldly church is spiritually today), there was always a reason WHY God afflicted HIS people. A prophet wrote of this observation in Daniel 9:11
Yes, all Israel has transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey your voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
Who is "all Israel"? It is all those who have come into the new Covenant through faith in Christ.
We know we are not under the laws, ordinances, and commands of the Old Testament, yet we still see how God requires our love and obedience to him in the New Testament, and that there are many instructions and admonitions we are to walk in.
For example:
We are to be filled with His Spirit, we are to worship the Lord, love our neighbor, be baptized, abide in His Word, BELIEVE what Jesus and the apostles said, repent from dead works and repent of sin, believe the gospel, pray, work, give to the poor, show kindness and mercy, "renounce all that ye have", cast out devils, heal the sick, and many such things.
III.
Is the "curse" still in effect in the New Testament?
-I
f it is, we should be able to go to God's Word and see.
Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
So we see Christians that go back under the OT works of the law are under the curse.
-Others may curse themselves with statements such as "
this is killing me" "y
ou make me sick", "
I'm sick of..." " "
I can't forgive.." ..", "
I can't get ahead..."
With the tongue, Christians themselves may speak a curse when they use their tongue to condemn, judge, express the negative report, and even for putting their trust in man.
James 3:9
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the likeness of God.
Unforgiveness brings the curse:
Mat. 18:34-35 And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
What happens when Christians are disobedient children of God?
If you listened to most pastors today, you would think "nothing". Wonderful grace.
God turns His head and our sin and stumbling are overlooked as God winks at us. Christian drunkards, covetous, drug users, fornicators, or the proud all get a free pass because they "
accepted Christ", or "went forward".
Let us look at several passages which speak of the curse in terms of God "chastising" His children, and that God speaks to us through various means:
Jeremiah 2:19
Your own wickedness shall correct thee, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that you have forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, says the Lord GOD of hosts.
Psalms 39:11
When you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth:
Psalms 94:10
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct?
Job 33:14) For God speaks once, yes twice, yet man perceives it not.
15) Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
16) That he may withhold man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
(purpose meaning "activity, deeds").
In verse 19 there is an instruction from God administered through dreams, sickness, pain, and "the curse" in order to get men to "withdraw" from their deeds which God disapproves.
19
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones;
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out.
(this sounds like some real sickness...)
22 Yes, his soul draws near unto the pit (depression) ,
And his life to the destroyers.
(the destroyers are the demons that carry out the application of the curse)
26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, So that he sees his face with joy:
And he restores to man his righteousness.
(repentance brings righteous restoration)
27 He sings before men, and says, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:
28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.
29 Lo, all these things does God work, Twice, yea thrice, with a man,
We notice this chapter has both chastisement and grace given unto repentance...
If God "chastens" His people and He is the same yesterday, today, forever, then we see clearly infirmity is of the curse (chastisement).
I
s there any "chastening" in the New Testament?
If so, we should be able to find scripture for chastisement.
2Cor 6:9 ...as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live;
as chastened, and not killed; The word "chastened" is from
G3816; to train up a child, that is, educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment): - chasten (-ise), instruct, learn, teach.
Chastening is mentioned again in Hebrews 12:
5 and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with sons,
My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved of him;
6
For whom the Lord loves he chastens, And
scourges every son whom he receives.
7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chastens not?
8 But if ye are without chastening, where all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Chastening is for our good:
9
Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10
For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
-Chastening may be for "a few days.."
11
All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.
Notice the physical effects of chastening:
12 Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the
palsied knees;
13 make straight paths for your feet,
so that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.
14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest there be any man that falls short of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the *
many be defiled; *
many: largely, mostly, abundant, plenteous, altogether common.
Look around church, you will see them all around you. They are the lame, sick, afflicted, depressed, angry, offended, problem children, hen-pecked, hospitalized, bewildered Christians who fill the churches. And including the great majority of pastors.
Chastening will bring the benefits of salvation when we cooperate with God:
Job 5:
17 Behold,
happy is the man whom God corrects:
Therefore despise not the chastening of the Almighty.
18 For
he makes sore, and binds up; He wounds, and his hands make whole.
God wounds and makes sore? and when we return to Him, He promises us healing... Have you ever had an "accident"? That was no accident, it was God wounding. "HE MAKES SORE, HE WOUNDS..."
19 He will deliver thee in six troubles; Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
20 In famine he will redeem thee from death; And in war from the power of the sword.
Hebrews 12:7
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?
To "endure chastening" (i.e. correction from the Lord), may very well mean a season of sickness or injury as we stand in faith for the promised deliverance and healing.
This accomplishes several benefits:
1. our faith is tried and grows as a result of "standing".
a. 1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
b. Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
2. When we keep in mind WHY we are being chastened, the lesson is more deeply impressed into our mind and we are less likely to repeat the offense.
As Job said in Job 34:31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more.
3. It gives great assurance to know God loves us and that chastening (from the curse) is a sure indication and evidence that He loves you and me.
Those New Testament verses regarding "chastisement" are references from the Old Testament, so we see a continuation in principle of the curse and deliverance from it.
Prov. 3: 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear the LORD, and depart from evil, 8) It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones. (repentance brings the promise of restoration of health.)
Notice the church in Corinth is told why some are sick and others die:
1Cor 11: 29 For he that eats and drinks,
eats and drinks judgment to
himself,
if he discern not the body.
30
For this cause **many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. (die).
**many: largely, mostly, abundant, plenteous, altogether common
There was a lack of love and respect in the Corinthian church for other members of the body. -Which is altogether common with todays church respecting clergy over the laity, respect of persons who are naturally gifted, wealthy, and to those with titles and the poor un-respected and even unloved.
Notice also what happened when Paul turned the sinning brother over to satan?
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan
for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (the man Paul referred to in this verse was indeed brought to repentance and restored through the curse applied by the devil)
Remember what Job 33 said about a mans flesh being sick and given over to destroyers?
21) His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea,
his soul draws near to the pit (
depression) , And his life to the destroyers.
There are many more scriptures that illustrate this; here is one to really think about.
Rev. 2:20
But I (Jesus) have this against thee, that you allow the woman Jezebel (the apostate church), who calls herself a prophetess (prophetess means an inspired speaker);
and she teaches and seduces my servants (the guys with good intentions) to commit (spiritual) fornication,
and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
(he eats what the people give through the offering plate. Most pastors have become the idols of the churches and succumbed to the privileges.
23) And
I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
Col. 3:24--25)
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
And that statement, "
I will kill her children...",
I had never considered until this study and yet God said that to "
ALL the CHURCHES".
You mean in the New Testament, Jesus said He would kill her children?
Whether you believe that means children of the harlot church, churches who are the spiritual off-spring of other churches, or the literal children of the people in the churches, or the spiritually immature Christians sitting in many pews, it is a FEAR-OF-GOD statement.
A verse often quoted in part is found in Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge,
I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of thy God,
I will also forget thy children.
We see there is death and sickness in many pews from God's people being destroyed (by the "destroyers") because they reject or are ignorant of Gods Word.
And our children are affected by our ignorance as God said in the above verse.
Another reason some Christians die young, an early death being part of the curse:
Jesus said in Matthew 7:19
Every tree (men are likened to trees in the Bible) that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
John 15:6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Before we overlook that verse, I can assure you I have known Christian men who are dead from God "hewing" them down, just like He said.
Those men were no longer bringing forth fruit the Father was looking for and you can be assured he had tried to speak to and motivate them through family troubles, sickness, financial setbacks, and other attention-getters from the chastisings.
Dt 32:29
See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
More scriptures which speak of the curse afflicting and wounding:
Ps 68:21
But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses
Psalms 119:67
Before, I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
A king in Israel was rebuked in 2Chron 21: 13
but have walked in the way of the (apostate) kings of Israel, and made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot, like as the house of Ahab did, and also slain thy brethren of thy father`s house, who were better than thyself:
15 and you shall have great sickness by disease of the bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.
The chastisement is the operation of the the curse to bring us to repent and back into the blessing of a right relationship. It builds up our faith as we put to death the old (natured) man and produce the fruit of Jesus Christ. It is our Father's will to deliver us from the curse.
God created and sends the curse and yet provided the deliverance from the effects of it when we repent in faith and believe His many, many promises to heal.
The Curse is wreaking havoc in the church, from the pulpit to the pew as God's people are literally destroyed for lack of knowledge. Most of us never stopped to consider why we were afflicted and of the possibility it was because God was displeased with something we were doing or saying that is anti-Christ. We went to the doctor, took an aspirin, or sought relief without asking God to show us our error.
We went to counselors, other people, and doctors for advice. Yet God says:
Job 21:31
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
and in Psalms 64:9
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
The Bible says our weapon is the Word and our faith in that word. To receive the promises given, we must take charge and use the weapons our Father has given us against evil strong holds in our lives and against the curse.
And God made it easy for us through Jesus Christ to receive the Father's promises. We must repent and believe, and walk with faith in those promises. Our Lord has put forth all the promises in His word, through His Son Jesus Christ. This is how we are delivered from the effects of the curse through Jesus Christ.
Ps. 103:
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless The Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgives all thine iniquities; Who heals all thy diseases;
Do we believe this verse? Both parts? One part says He forgives, the other says He heals all...
Repentance and faith delivers from the curse.
"
Go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you"....-Jesus told the woman.
2Chron7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, (Christian) shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Job 33:26
He prays unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he sees his face with joy: And he restores to man his righteousness.
29 Lo, all these things doth God work, Twice, and thrice, with a man,
Deuteronomy 7:15 A
nd the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, on you; but will lay them on all them that hate you
This is well worth repeating. Many times when you are afflicted, if you simply ask the Lord to show you, confess it, and repent from the sin, you may receive the benefits of Gods healing.
The Lord is giving us a crash course in this truth. We had a lady call us about a back pain and the doctors diagnosis of a spinal condition. I asked her, when the pain began. She replied "
last Sunday". I asked her what sin did she commit prior to the back pain, and she replied she had been delivered from smoking by the Lord and had given in to temptation and started smoking again, right before her back hurt her.
We explained to her why the curse had come upon her, and that God was chastising her. She repented and the pain left. Two days later she called again and there was another pain in her neck. We rebuked the demon and it left, along with the pain.
We have also received a number of testimonies like this and have experienced deliverance and healing in our own family as we walk in these precepts.
This WORKS!
In Numbers 16 a self-willed man named Korah disagreed with Moses and caused division in the camp of Israel resulting in the death of Korah and his entire family, and those that followed him.
32 and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men that followed Korah, and all their goods.
33 So they, and all that pertained to them, went down alive into Sheol: and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the assembly.
2Chron. 21:14 behold, the LORD will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance;
Job 5) S
uddenly I cursed his habitation.
5:4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.
Job 17:5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, e
ven the eyes of his children shall fail.
Jeremiah 2:30 In vain have I (God)
smitten your children (they did not repent, i.e., Gods people justified themselves and refused to examine themselves and repent.)
Jeremiah 15:7
And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people since they return not from their ways.
The man after God's own heart, King David.
2 Samuel 12:15
And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died.
1Kings 13: 33
After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again from among all the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, that there might be priests of the high places.
(he put people in leadership who were neither called, anointed, nor qualified. Just like the church does)
34
And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.
14:1 At that time
Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. (and died)
1 Samuel 16:14
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. (Saul and his sons were killed as a result of Saul's sin)
Our son was nearly killed in a fall and what was my sin? -it was greed, murmuring, not putting God first, pride, and not abiding in Gods Word as Jesus commanded us.
(
At that time we were respected elders of our church).
Our children and the curse:
People are afflicted
to bring them to Christ,
and children are afflicted
to bring their parents to Christ.
Some examples in the New Testament:
The Canaanite woman’s daughter
Mat 15:22-28 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "
Lord, Son of David,
have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
27"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
A son with seizures
Mat 17:14-18 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
15 "
Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.
16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
Can the curse alight on the children of Christians?
Sin began with Adam and Eve, and the nature of sin was passed on to their children.
Satan became their spiritual father. Again, let us look at examples in scripture:
Under the Law, there was no mercy. Achan was a man who willfully disobeyed God under the OT Law. Achan's sin of coveting caused the death of his entire family. -His "house".
In Joshua 7:
24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the mantle, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had..
25 And Joshua said, Why have you troubled us? YHWH shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire, and stoned them with stones.
How easy is it for us to "impart" the curse to our family?
We do so through our words and actions as our children receive our words and actions. Cuss words, anger, complaining, hating others, unforgiveness, gossip, evil speaking against anyone, superstitions, false traditions like Santa Claus are examples of what Christian parents impart to their children.
So we see in many examples in both the old and new testaments, that a parents sin may bring "the curse" upon our children. If we persist in holding on to sin, God may at some point allow the curse to touch our children. We have seen examples from scripture where the children were smitten with sickness because of the stubbornness and sin of their parents.
In another case, we received a request to pray for a man's sick son. The boy had suffered for about 7-8 years and was now around 12 years old. We discerned their had been a cause for the curse of autism in the boy, so I asked him "what happened 7-8 years ago?"
He immediately replied that at that time their had been a serious problem in his marriage and his wife had said she had forgiven him, but in reality, she still had a grudge. -Her lack of forgiveness opened a spiritual and the curse alighted on the child. When I pointed this out, the man agreed and knew it was the truth.
We have seen other similar examples as we are much more aware and observant of the operation of the curse in Christians.
In fact, once you recognize "the curse", you will see it in the lives of people all around you, especially in the lives of Chrsitians which is what Paul said to the Corinthians. "
for this cause MANY are weak and sickly among you (the curse) and some sleep" (die).
Here is another revelation. In Deut. 28: part of the curse is given: 41
Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be thine; for they shall go into captivity.
When I was reading this, the Lord showed me Israel's children were taken captive by the "uncircumcised" pagan people from the ungodly nations around them.
How might this apply to Spiritual Israel, the Christians?
It happened as we watched our children fall away from God and be taken captive by the uncircumcised in heart: the world.
The gangs, the kids that follow after drugs, sex, rock and roll. The the stars of rock music. The stars of TV, movies and sports. The ungodly people of this world who follow and do the deeds of their father, the devil.
We have strong incentive to be holy and walk carefully in the scriptures.
V. How to attract "the curse".
If we are never under the curse anymore, then why are the very things mentioned in the curse happening in the lives of Christians?
We know many Christians will say
"I AM NOT UNDER THE CURSE in the NEW TESTAMENT!
and quote Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Here are some areas where many Christians stumble and the curse alights. If you study your Bible carefully, you will others, and the more we knowledge of how to please God that we have, the less reason the curse has to alight.
Hidden unforgiveness:
Matt 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
:15 But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him
:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses
Who are the tormentors? they are demons that apply the curse. That is why Jesus healed so many by casting out the demons and then speaking healing which is one of the primary callings for Christians to be doing when they are obeying the gospel and doing what Jesus told us to do.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
If we don't have forgiveness, what WILL happen?
So could the curse alight upon us? "Tormentors? Chastisement? "The Destroyer(s)"? Weakness and sickness? Death?
Murmuring and complaining?
Would you believe God killed many Israelites for complaining?
Phil. 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and questionings:
15 that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation
Numbers 14: 27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
"Thou shalt not murmer nor complain" was not written in the Law, yet God was not pleased when HIS people complained and and failed to believe Him for provision. Those folks complained about the water, the food, and did not appreciate the fact they were no longer slaves in Egypt. They wanted to go back to their old ways and worldly security rather than walking in faith. God called this "an evil heart of unbelief".
"Oh, that was back under the law", some respond.
Then let's see what Paul wrote to the church:
1Cor 10:10) Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11) Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Why would Paul say those murmurers were destroyed as an example for us if He did not mean what He said? Would God loose the destroyers on Christians for murmuring?
What happened when Paul turned the sinning brother over to satan?
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
In James 5:murmur not one against another, brethren, lest ye be judged: behold, the judge stands before the door.
Isaiah 26:9 ... for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (judgments sent for correction)
Unbelief is sin:
Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Ezekiel 20:16 Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
How do Christians "despise" the judgments of the Lord?
They do so when they refuse to believe God will punish our sin. Israel did this when they refused to believe the prophets God sent to them and they refused to believe God would send calamity.
Oaths, Pledges, and Swearing
Another less known, but overlooked teaching is the matter of making oaths, pledges, and swearing a pledge. Consider:
1. James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
There goes the church building pledge and fundraisers, the pledge of allegiance, oath of office? jury duty? political office, military, law enforcement?
Pledges and oaths to Lodges, Clubs, Boy Scouts Girl Scouts, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, Masons, and many churches for "membership", etc?
Who will you obey, the Word of the Lord, or society and men?
2. Matthew 5:34 (Jesus) But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne
Because these matters are not taught in the church, for the most part, is it any wonder the curse has a place to alight? -And that it behooves us to study Gods Word carefully to learn how to please Him?
Swearing an oath is doing the exact opposite of what Jesus taught.
Ignoring Gods Word brings a curse:
Deut 28: 15 “But if you ignore the LORD your God and are not careful to keep all his commandments and statutes I am giving you today, then all these curses will come upon you in full force:
If you ignore? How many times in my life have we done that?
Do you think God knows how to get our attention after a while?
+++++++++++++++++++_______________________+++++++++++++++++++
VI
The tormentors and destroyers.
We saw in many verses both from the Old and New Testament that the "tormentors" and "destroyers" are sent to administer the curse, chastisement, sickness, death, mental torment like depression, and everything written in "the curse".
Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with demons
Mark 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
Luke 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Mark 6:13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. demons cast out associated with healing. (the disciples) as "they went out, and preached that men should repent.)"
Mark 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with demons
Mark 9: 17 And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit;
18 and wherever it takes him, it dashes him down: and he foams, and grinds his teeth, and he pines away (to pine away as loss of flesh. shrivel, wither.)
Matthew 9:32 And as they went forth, behold, there was brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon. physical affliction caused by a demon
Mat. 12:28 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour.
Luke 9:38 And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child: 39 and behold, a spirit takes him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it tears him that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him sorely.
Revelation 18:2 And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. (great sickness and oppression in apostate Christianity)
Luke 6:18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
Luke 8:36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
Luke 9:42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child
Luke 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
Mark 7:25 But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. 30
And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out.
When we find and search for the reason, i.e. the cause, for the curse to operate in our lives, then we have the sure Word of the promise from God, that when we repent, Christ delivered us from the effects of the curse.
As ministers of God, we are messengers of the Covenant, and are to bring healing and reconcilliation to the sick, afflicted, and the lost. (Mark 16:9-20, Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8-10)
VII. Deliverances from the curse (restoration and healing)
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, Christians) shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
-As man was made from the dust of the earth, our "land" involves conquering our sinful nature, a battle we will fight to our last breath.
The flesh is our ground, our land, our ways, our world. This requires us walking in the light, not the darkness. Ignorance of God does not help us, save us, or restore us. Walking in the light will help us, heal us, save us.
Walking in the light involves knowing, believing, and doing what Jesus said:
"They Word, is a lamp unto my feet". "I am the light of the world.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light,
Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth,
Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
Matthew 7:24 Every one therefore that hears these words of mine, and does them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
:25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
The more we walk in faith and in obedience to our New Testament covenant, the more and more are we delivered from the curse. There are also some tremendous promises for our children in getting them redeemed from the curse of being taken captive by the world.
Ps 89: My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
Isaiah 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. -deliverance from the curse is by faith in what God says about them.
Dt. 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.." (saved is "sozo")
Now there are some wonderful and amazing verses to stand upon in faith for our children! -and GOD has the power to bring them to pass as we put our faith in what He said.
Our hope of "salvation", "the Greek word is *sozo", is when we repent and turn to the L ord, TRUSTING Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
The promises is that He HEALS, saves, delivers, preserves and makes whole
(that is what "sozo" the Greek word for salvation/ saved/ healed is).
Mat. 7:24 Every one therefore that hears these words of mine, and does them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, thou and thy seed;
Summary:
When we have received requests for healing and other problems, we now typically ask "What is your sin?
-or when did the "trouble" begin, and what happened prior to the trouble or infirmity?
We ask the Lord to reveal it to them, and sometimes we will ask if there is unforgiveness or complaining, which is common to "many" Christians as Paul wrote.
Usually if there is pain, a demon is involved. Cancer is demonic, and many physical conditions in the flesh are from demons. The Lord gave us authority over them, and gave us many examples of casting out a demon and healing going together.
We have seen this work in ourselves and in others. Repent and confess sin, then receive the promise of healing "for by His stripes you were healed".
There is much more to this subject and we are studying diligently in order to be more effective ministers of the commission that Christ gave His people.
We recognize when we have not knowledge, we are not yet accountable and that we have a blood covering for our transgressions. We also know that Jesus did give one example of a man who was blind from birth so that the "glory of God" might be revealed.
Notes on "enduring" and not "despising" the chastening of the Lord.
1. Enduring. to remain to tarry behind to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments endure...
translated as: with patience, endured 5, endures 3, patiently endure 1, perseveres1, persevering 1, remained 1
This means the chastening may have an extended duration, which, if we understand WHY we or our children are suffering the chastising, is how the LESSON God wants us to learn is strongly impressed upon us. This is even AFTER we have repented and received forgiveness, just as king David did in the affair with Bathsheba, and David continued to reap the chastisement along with Gods forgiveness.
...And we also gain a fresh respect and fear of the Lord!
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons
2. "despise": Hebrews 12:5 ... despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him : to have little regard for, that is, to disesteem: - despise.
How did the Israelites "despise" God's chastening? It was when those stubborn, self-willed OT Jews refused to believe God would bring judgement on them for disobedience. -Just like the Christians that do not believe God would afflict their children or themselves.
It is clearly stated here in Jeremiah 23:17, They (the apostates of Israel) say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. The false teachers of Jeremiahs day were just like the modern church hirelings that give comfort and lies to Gods' people in the pews.
"God wouldn't do that!", they say so often. But God said don't listen to them!
"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
How much do you want to be saved? -enough to be thankful for when He corrects and chastises? Why be resentful? -once we realize why we are made to suffer we can turn and repent. "HAPPY is the man whom God corrects". Gladly do we accept correction and judgement in this life rather than have our sin follow us into the next one.
In Christ, there is no more curse. To the degree that we or anyone abides in the Son, the curse cannot alight. Praise the Lord.
VII. Let's go look again at some amazing revelation on why Christians often suffer from the curse.
Remember, Proverbs 26:2 (NLT) 2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
We also know Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked;
Wicked in the New Testament is referred to as: (NAS) Word Usage - evil 3x, malice 5x, trouble 1x, wickedness 2x.
Now, just read the context of the passages where "wickedness" is used:
Col. 3: 8 But now you also, put them all aside : anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Titus 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
Eph 4 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Rom. 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil ; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice ; they are gossips
Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked.
"The curse": we now have better understanding of what the curse is.
:is in" A postive declaration that leaves no doubt.
"the HOUSE": the house is the person who is the temple that Christ dwells in, and all that pertains to them.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be sved, AND THY HOUSE"
..."of the wicked" Once we understand what God says is "wicked", even in the New Testament as the verses above touch on, then we understand that "the curse" will operate in the household of Christians who transgress.
Now let's learn from Zechariah 5:3.
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. apply
4) I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Daniel 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; *therefore the curse is poured upon us*, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the
servant of God, because we have sinned against him. (the curse is written in the Law)
In the New Testament, those that "falsely swear by my name" are those that call themselves "Christian" but do not do what Christ said.
God says "give". Men say "tithe".
God says "do not swear an oath", man say "I pledge allegiance..."
God said He hates the Nicolaitane error. Men say "It's them, not us".
God says "If you hate your brother you are a murderer". Men say "I just don't like them".
God says "repent and believe the gospel". Men say "ask Jesus into your heart".
God says "do not lay up for yourselves treasures...", Men say "store up gold, guns, and food".
God says "do not call yourselves Masters...". Men say call me "Bishop, Doctor, Apostle, Pastor... etc."
The actions of people that say they are Christian, but neither speak Gods Word nor walk in His footsteps sadly fit the majority of "the many" that Christ warned about in the "last days". If you think that is harsh, look around at the curse running rampant through the churches. many of the very specific elements found in "the curse" are found in the houses of Christians. -both as individual and corporately.
The ignorance of the typical Christian church is destroying them for the lack of knowledge.
And here is why so many Christians are weak, sick, and some die as Paul said:
Isa. 4:1
And in that day seven women (the 7 representive churches in Revelation ch 2,3)
shall take hold of one man, (calling on Jesus)
saying, We will eat our own bread, ( we will follow our own faith & doctrine)
and wear our own apparel: (substituting their own works such as tithing)
only let us be called by thy name, (Christian in name but not disciples)
to take away our reproach. (they want sins forgiven but do not obey the covenant)
Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (a hidden prophecy of satans work to afflict fallen man)
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art (to Adam and his seed)
Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith
the LORD. Man is the dust. The fleshly man. The carnal man. So we find that satan the serpent will devour the carnal man. -not the Spiritual man in Christ.
In Christ, we are free from the curse.
In Christ, there is no more curse. To the degree that we or anyone abides in the Son, the curse cannot alight. Praise the Lord.
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son
Our Judgement
I cannot think of a more fear-of-God inducing subject than God's judgement. Everyone hopes to escape and the apsotate church teaches mis-guided doctrines like "oh you just get judged for rewards". But that is only a half truth: 2Cor. 5:
10 )For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11) Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
I do not believe that refers to salvation, but there is certainly an accounting. And this consistent with:
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Can there be a day of judgement before the "Great Day of Judgement"? I am persuaded that there can be.
How can we receive judgement in this life before THAT day? As we have written in previous sections, God DOES send "judgments" upon us only they are mostly referred to as "chastisements".
Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Now that right there is Gods' Word and He really means it. The problem with the church is that very few actually connect events and conditions in their body and life to what God says in His Word. We never did and were were never taught these matters by our leaders. If we had realized that "every transgression" received just recomence, we would have lived much differently especially whene it came to some of the things we mentioned earlier.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people,(Christians) which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
-As man was made from the dust of the earth, our land has to do with conquering our sinful nature. The flesh is our ground, our land, our ways, our world.
Where the curse is there is sin.
Where the Curse is, there is correction.
Where the curse is, there a humbling.
Where the curse is, there is testing.
Where the curse is, there may be a waiting revelation of the glory of God.
+++
In another section, we will discuss "The sufferrings of Christ" that we are made partakers of, and how that is different from the curse. God willing, we will see the importance of the relationship between the Law and the curse of the law, which are unseparable..
Malachi 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
What are our blessings? -There are some serious implications there. For instance, "children are the blessing of the Lord. Provision, even abundance is His blessing. Food, a job, our health all qualify as his blessings.
If Christians (God's New Testament people) are never under the curse anymore, then why are the very things mentioned in the curse happening in the lives of Christians?
