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If Christians (God's New Testament people) are not under the curses given in scripture 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. God put blessing and the curse back in the beginning in the garden, under the Old Testament law, and the precept continued throughout 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 pride, and notice there are some "incentives" from the Lord to NOT walk in pride:
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.
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 doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Psalms 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
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
That ought to stop the local office holder in their ecclesiastical-political tracks.
-and maybe a few other partisan sub-groups of Americana.
Another place says "God resists the proud...".
I sure do not want God resisting me!
I mean life can tough enough without God lining up on us.
Ignoring the needs of the poor brings a curse:
Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth 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.
In Psalms who the curse may alight on:
Psalms 119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Psalms 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again
The prophets spoke of the curse:
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm (trusting in men of flesh not God), and whose heart departeth from the LORD. (backsliding brings a curse)
Jeremiah 11:3 ... Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant (do we have a New Covenant God expects us to obey?)
Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed be he that doeth 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:
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? -some serious implications there)
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
(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".
Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Psalms 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth 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"? Here are some of His affliction:
28 If there be in the land famine, (hunger) if there be pestilence (pests) , 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;
29 what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own sorrow, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house:
Deuteronomy 28:41 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.
-Captive to the gangs, peer groups, cults, witchcraft, the occult, pornography, sinful "lifestyles", wicked music, and a pop-culture that is contrary to Godliness .
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
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.
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 neigbor, 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?
-If 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 continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
So we see that Christians that go back under the OT works of the law are cursed. -Like tithing and sabbath laws, dietary laws, and the feasts.
-Others may curse themselves with statements such as "this is killing me" "you make me sick", "I'm sick of..." "I never..." "I can't forgive.." .." "I don't believe that..." "I hate...", "I can't.."
Christians themselves may speak the 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 similitude of God.
Unforgiveness brings the curse:
Mat. 18:34-35 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto 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. Suicides, druggies, fornicators, the covetous 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 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Psalms 39:11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest 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 speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15) Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
16) That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
(purpose meaning "activity, deeds").
There is an instruction from God administered through dreams, sickness, pain, and "the curse" in order to get men to "withdrwaw" 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 heavy sickness...)
22 Yea, his soul draweth 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 prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness.
27 He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:
28 He hath 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,
(notice this chapter has both chastisement and grace given when there is repentence...)
If God "chastens" His people and He is the same yesterday, today, forever, then we see clearly sickness is part of the curse. Is 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 reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof 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.
11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth 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 falleth 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,
Chastening will bring the benefits of salvation when we cooperate with God:
Job 5:
17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; He woundeth, and his hands make whole.
(God wounds and makes sore? and when we return to Him, He promises us healing...)
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 ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth 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 armour 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.
Job 34:31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more.
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.
(repentence 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 eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.
30 For this cause **many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. (die). **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, the clergy over the laity, the respect of persons who are naturally gifted, wealthy, exercise blind loyalty, and to those with titles.
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.
(this sounds like heavy sickness...)
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit (depression) , And his life to the destroyers.
There are many more scriptures that illustrate this, and here is one to really think about.
Rev. 2:20
But I (Jesus) have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel (the apostate church, a corporate body), who calleth herself a prophetess (prophetess means an inspired speaker);
and she teacheth and seduceth 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 tithes and offerings. most pastors have become the idols of the churches. People believe the pastors word even when he is wrong. Most people fear their pastor more than they do God)
23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth 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 doeth 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 we tremble that 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 spiritualy 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 thou hast 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 destoyed (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. 
..............continued.........
Edited by tntman : February 8, 2010, 8:54 am
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