Listening-prayer Home Introduction to Breaking Curses What is a Curse? How to pray for protection Protection from Curses How to Break a Curse Defining a Shame curse inner-healing prayer for shame
© George Hartwell M.Sc. 2010, www.HealMyLife.com, Mississauga, Ontario. About George
A curse is sometimes defined as "the invocation of supernatural power to inflict harm upon someone or something."
My definition of curse is much broader because I believe that our words spoken with intensity carry the energy of love or hatred, of life or death. We can be effected the attitude of hatred, bitterness or revenge in somone's heart. That is why Jesus is so insistent on our forgiving from our heart.
My definition of a curse is the harmful energy released against another by the use of witchcraft, hateful words, slander, by one's hateful attitude and by negative and, even, controlling or 'witchcraft' prayer by a Christian. Hearing and not refusing a message from a psychic, gypsy, or fortune teller acts the same way. A negative diagnoses by a medical doctor, a negative prediction by a school guidance teacher, taunts by your peers, things said during discipline by your parents, any and all of these can and do act as curses.
By the way, Spiritual Warfare can backfire like a curse. Many Chrisitan practice demonically inspired 'spiritual warfare' which also acts like a curse and backfires on the participants. All of these actions can cause the victim and the perpetrator to come under demonic harassment and oppression. See: Leanne Payne's autobiography "Heaven's Calling", page 102, 102.
Included in my definition of a curse:
Negative words spoken about one's identity or future.
In the Bible account of creation, God breathed His spirit into mankind to give us life. God's Spirit forms our spirit. Our (God given) spirit shares some of the attributes of God's Spirit. It has energy to bring life or death.
That is why the Bible warns us to choose life; why Jesus says that we are accountable for the words we speak. Jesus tells us that words spoken in hatred are like murder. In other words, words spoken in hatred have 'murderous energy.'
Therefore any word I speak conveys my spirit and has the potential to curse or bless.
Spoken words give breath to our thoughts (breath and spirit are closely related) and either blessing or curse.
That is why my definition of a curse includes any word spoken against another; harm put into words; words that convey death and hatred against the life and spirit of another.
On the other hand, spiritual life goes forth as we speak holy words, inspired words, prophetic words in faith.
Jesus clued us in to the fact that hateful feelings are like a curse. Hateful anger is 'like murder,' said Jesus. Our spiritual impact is our state of being.
Our deep intense feelings identify what is in our heart and spirit. What is in our spirit does effect another's spirit and life. In the spirit we are connected. We are not alone. Hate (envy, jealousy) against you in my inner being does oppress you (and me). A negative state of being when directed against another brings death - acts like a curse.
My definition of a curse must include negative emotions in someone's inner being directed against another. Hatred, jealousy and envy can harm another's life and spirit.
On the other hand, spiritual victory is our state of being when, like Jesus, light, hope, joy and peace are within and holiness emanates from God's Holy Spirit within us.
Words (beliefs), emotion (heart), intentions (will), and vision (imagination, spirit) go into our prayers. Prayers have the capacity to do great good or harm. Yes I realize you may have never considered that prayers can do harm, but most power can be used for good or ill.
Effective prayer and spiritual victory flows from our inner being. If our inner being is filled with love, joy, peace and faith then our prayers are effective for good.
But what if our inner being is filled with hate, judgment, pessimism and negative expectations? Then our prayers are effective in doing harm and bringing about the negative that we believe.
My broad definition of a curse must now include negative prayers directed against another. Negative prayers can and do harm another's life and spirit.
People in this mind set focus on Satan and the powers of darkness. Unconsciously they are in anger against God. Unconsciously they can not
Jesus granted authority to cast out demons not to bind Satan. Daniel did not bind the "prince of Persia" that hindered the answer to his prayers. Daniel 10:13. Evidently even the archangel Michael "did not dare bring a slanderous accusation against (the devil) but said, 'The Lord rebuke you." Jude 9. We now know that Christians come to harm when they do not know their place in the heavenly hierarchy.
Spiritual action is ineffective when the focus is negative. The charge (command) not to resist evil (Matthew 5:39) is there because it puts your heart out of harmony with God's Spirit. A strong response to darkness entangles (bonds, yokes) you to darkness cutting you off from God's guidance and protection. "Be not unequally yoked with darkness" (2 Corinthians 6:14). To stay separate do not respond to the energies of evil.
Specifically this means do not swear at Satan in anger; do not invite Satan to fight with you; do not "bind" Satan. Those who do so are in the flesh, in grandiose delusion and totally out of place. This is dangerous and does attract the attention of evil forces.
I suggest do not partner with groups who do this. Do not at any time think there is ever any time that anyone or any group has any authority to do this type of 'spiritual warfare.' Believing so will prove to be dangerous.
Because this kind of prayer has effects like a curse, my broad definition of a curse could also include railing at the devil and all prayers 'binding' Satan or principalities or powers. If you have done this and feel that you are under a curse, this is why. This sin brings harm against you EXACTLY like a curse, only you did it to yourself!
My broad definition of a curse includes prayers directed against darkness and evil. These prayers bind you to evil and expose you to evil with results just like a curse.
The creative flow of the Spirit is more powerful than evil. Light overcomes darkness. Keep your eye on Jesus and do not be fascinated with evil. There is great power in simply praising God for who He is. "God inhabits the praises of his people."
Curses practiced with the use of the rituals of of witchcraft, wicca, Satanism, shamanism, voodoo and so on. The results of this 'working of iniquity' is very real with various levels of power. There are very deep levels of these arts that are very powerful that we do not want to know about. Just be aware that we are talking about very real powers having very real effects and sometimes an ongoing effect something like spiritual harassment.
Do not be mislead by quick answers from pastors or others who teach that this has no effect on Christians. In some cases - the early missionaries in China - God's servants were sealed with the sign of the cross. This was discerned by witch doctors who quickly found out that curses did not work against God's servants. They stopped trying to curse these Christians. The reason? Possibly a demonically inspired curse that is not able to be fulfilled against the intended victim, returns to sender!
No doubt the power and authority of a Christian, who walks in power and authority, works miracles and is filled with God's Spirit and in full communion with God, goes way beyond that of the normal with or fan of wicca. They do not tap in ot much. We receive authority from the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth - our Lord Jesus Christ.
However, we have a lot of learning to do, a lot of sanctifying, of drawing near to God to be able to defeat these powers. I am just learning and sharing what I know that works. Please share you experiences with me so we can learn together.
What is a Curse is by © George Hartwell M.Sc. 2009, www.HealMyLife.com, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Some Protection Prayers or How to pray for protection
Introduction to Breaking Curses
How to Break a Curse with 'Jesus in Between' see also
Breaking Curses with 'Jesus in Between'
Dealing with African Witchcraft
Oppression from spells, curses and voodoo
Breaking a Curse by Praying for a Peace Bond
Understanding what I mean by a Shame curse
Inner Healing prayer for Shame and Cancer
A conversation about the Shame Curse
Dialogues with People Who Want to Break a Curse:
Witchcraft, Spell or Curse in Africa - a Plea or Help
George Hartwell M.Sc. is a Christian counselor with a masters degree in clinical psychology and 30 years experience in private practice. To learn all About George or his professional practice see: George's Professional web site, Christian marriage counselling, Christian phone therapy, and Christian Marriage Retreats. To e-mail George click on:
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