Editor's Note: Above artwork was added to this teaching by me. We can have victory
over all the works of the enemy
through the Blood of Jesus Christ,
Yehsua HaMashiach.
Thank you Jim Croft for your many years of life giving teaching, prophetic gifts and love for all the nations. I am glad I know you, and give thanks also for your commitment to Derek Prince Ministries, with your being a member of the Board for over 30+ years.
You, your wife Prudence, and your daughters have been a real blessing to the Church at large.
With our love,
Steve & Laurie Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
Liberation from Curses and Un-kept Vows
This article is for anyone wishing to learn more about ministering deliverance from life’s bondages. I have used every facet of my gifting to make the complex topic of curses as simple as possible. That which I have written was adapted from a 3 hour extemporaneous sermon that I recently preached on the Omega Man Radio Show. The expressions of appreciation from many sectors of the world have been humbling. I trust it will be helpful for your liberation and for those to whom you minister.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Jim Croft
Adapted from extemporaneous sermon and interview on the Omega Man
Internet Radio Show episode 1076 aired 8/21/13 - Jim Croft
The mention of curses brings various thoughts to mind. For some, it is
Hollywood horror films, The Curse of the Mummy and so forth. Others connect
curses to seasons of bad luck. It is not unusual for people of our day to consider
curses mere archaic superstition that has no basis in reality.
The words curse, curses, cursed and cursing are biblical terms that appear
161 times in the Old Testament and 17 times in the New Testament. There are
scores of additional references that imply the enactment and effects of curses
without specifically mentioning the word curse.
In modern terminology, curses might be described in the following ways:
Curses are the troublesome penalties brought upon people for persistent sinful
behavior. A curse is a verbal denouncement capable of inciting troubles for the
person targeted by the denouncement. Curses are self-induced hardships spawned
by flippant negative confessions; foolish vows; and un-kept holy vows. Habitual
sinful behavior in a given area is in itself a curse and the resultant troublesome
effects that are activated by the sin are also called curses.
This article will cover how un-kept holy vows; foolish vows and flippant
confessions activate self-induced curses. It will also explain the various types of
curses; how curses are enacted; the evidence of a curse; and most importantly how
to stop the effects of almost all curses.
I say almost, because the effects of one particular curse will not completely
stop until after the Millennial Reign of Christ. It is the Adamic curse that came
upon all mankind by Adam and Eve’s fall into deliberate sin.
Adamic Curse
Adam and Eve were created perfect in spirit, soul and body. They were
designed for God’s pleasure possessing capability to glorify God through worship
and by enjoyable two-way interactive fellowship with him. God told the first
couple that if they sinned, the consequential penalty would be death. That was a
curse with far reaching implication.
The chief function of the human spirit is to give life to the soul and physical
body; and to facilitate human capacity to give God pleasure through adoration and
by mutually enjoyable fellowship between God and man. The curse of death that
Adam and Eve experienced after eating the forbidden fruit was immediate, but it
was not instant physical death. Due to the curse of sin contamination, the first couple’s spirits died to the ability to give God pleasure and glory through worship and enjoyable fellowship
with him. This curse further polluted their souls with a state of habitual inclination
to sin. That portion of the Adamic curse inserted sensations of soul that reflect
guilt; anxious fears and angers; and proclivity for emotional upheaval. It initiated
pain in childbearing along with vocational troubles in tilling the soil and efforts to
make a living by other means.
Lastly, Adam and Eve’s previously perfect bodies were made subject to
corruptive influences. These included genetic alteration that cause birth defects;
sicknesses; and the process of aging that eventuality brings physical death. All of
the effects of the Adamic curse upon mankind have been carried by the spirits,
souls and bodies of mankind and transmitted to every generation since.
God’s remedy for all other types of curses is salvation through faith in the
atoning blood of Jesus. Relief from routine curses can be apprehended by
repentance from sin and renunciation committal not to sin again; and by confessing
that the harmful effects of a particular curse have been vaporized by the blood of
the Lamb.
Believers can experience suspension of varying aspects of the Adamic curse
through healing prayer. For them, the entirety of the Adamic curse and the effects
of any other unresolved curses will end at the Coming of the Lord when they
receive glorified bodies. During the Millennial Reign of Christ, they alone will
posses curse-free, glorified bodies.
However, there will be a remnant of unconverted mankind that will survive
the end-times. They will live and beget children during the Millennium. Ordinary
citizens will still be subject to the varying death effects of spirit, soul and body that
are evidence of the Adamic curse. This will not end until after the Millennial
Reign when God proclaims that curses are no more. We will speak more about this later when we cover generational curses.
Symptoms of Curses
Here is a list of some commonly experienced curses that are listed in Deut
28:16-68 after this warning of 28:15 - “But it shall come to pass, if you do not
obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments
and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon
you and overtake you.”
The harmful effects of Old Covenant curses carry over into the New
Covenant. However, they are activated by disobedience to New Testament
principles of behavior rather than by breaking the regulations Old Covenant Laws.
Confusion and frustration in all you attempt to accomplish (see verse 20)
Defeat by one’s enemies, humiliation at the hand of competitors (see
verse 25) Groping for reasonable prosperity only to receive disappointing losses (see
verse 29)
Children ensnared by peer pressures that are contrary to parental values (see
verse 32)
Chronic sicknesses for which no remedies are found (see verses 35, 59)
Embarrassment about not achieving success levels common with others who
are afforded similar opportunities and are not more gifted (see verse 37)
Out-of-control indebtedness when income is sufficient to meet all needs (see
verse 44)
Hostility from spouses toward their mates and children (see verses 54–56)
Homes, businesses and transportation captured by enemies and repossessed
(see verse 63)
Panic attacks, restlessness and insomnia (see verses 65–66)
Dread of day at night, dread of night during the day (see verse 67)
We have all observed Christians as well as the unconverted struggling with
one or more of the symptoms of the curses listed. It is not uncommon for those
experiencing the symptoms of curses to battle suicidal thoughts. For many, the
oppressive circumstances driving them to thoughts of ending their lives are fueled
by demons within and without.
Overview of Curses
There are seven major categories of curses that have implication in the
Scriptures. Steps of repentance, renunciation and deliverance from penalties need
not become repetitive. One or more sessions of physical and emotional healing
might be required, but that does not indicate that the curse was not deactivated.
Law of Moses Curses - These curses can fall on anyone born Jewish who
practices Judaism who is unrepentant about disobedience to any of the Old
Covenant’s 500+ commands. The curses possible touch every arena of life and are
listed in Deut 28:15-68. Unfortunately, the penalties can also fall on any
Messianic Jew or Gentile New Covenant believer who is bewitched and foolish
enough to reckon that they are responsible to adhere to the Law of Moses.
The remedy is to hide one’s life in the truths of redemption that obliterate
necessity for adherence to Old Covenant Law. It is permissible to keep various
Old Covenant ceremonial and dietary laws as a matter of personal preference.
However, this must not be regarded as a means of righteousness. That puts
adherents at risk of suffering the curse consequences of breaking the laws beyond
those of choice preference.
Anti-Semitism’s Curse - Those who curse Jews by demeaning language
and persecution fall under curses. (Gen 12:3)
Sowing & Reaping Curses – Those who sow the sin of inner judgments
against others can reap the curse of judgments against them from many people.
Unforgiveness of man begets the curse of the suspension of God’s forgiveness
until there is repentant change of attitude. Anyone who plants corruptive practices
such as sexual sin and actions that damage the human body is apt to reap a harvest
of corruption. Those who are selfish with their finances cannot expect bountiful
harvest. Those who sow to the works of the flesh as listed in Gal 5:19-21 will reap
the penalty of like kind activity against them from others.
In most cases those who repent are granted divine crop failures for what they
have sown. However, in circumstances where birth defects are the issue and in
some instances where physical health has been severely compromised, the crop
failures do not always materialize.
Curses from un-kept godly vows, flippant vows and silly negative
confessions – Marriage and baptismal vows should be considered holy. Flippant
vows would be the likes of, “cross my heart and hope to die.” An example of a
silly confession is, “I’m so stupid that I can’t ever do anything right.” These are
very common areas where people invoke the curses spoken against self.
Divorce regrettably happens. Divorcees should repent of their part in
breaking marriage vows.
Many people live as though they were never born-again and baptized. Those
who have not kept the vows stated or implied when immersed in water, must
repent of and renounce their failures.
Repentance and renunciation of the habit of making flippant vows and silly
confessions is the cure for the consequences.
Curses from parental and legitimate authority figures - These are verbal
denouncements that are taken to heart by young minds and cause them to believe
lies about their characters and lives. Often these are carried into adulthood. An
example of this type of curse would be that of a man I know named, Luke.
He came under a lot of work related stress in his early 40s. For over a year,
Luke experienced panic attacks and accompanying heart attack symptoms. He
sought medical attention, but it gave no answers.
The answer came to him in prayer. During his formative years, his mother
had volatile emotional outbursts. At times, she would scream that she hated Luke
and wished he had been born dead. He approached his mother about his situation.
She repented and asked forgiveness. Luke renounced the curse and has not had a
panic attack since.
Curses from servants of the Devil – Curses of this genre are rarely
effective against Christians. That is because a satanic curse cannot fall on anyone
whom God has not cursed. It cannot happen unless the recipient has in some way
harbored a sin for which there has been no genuine repentance. God will not
authorize a curse of this type unless the recipient is engaged in persistent rebellion.
(Num 23:8, 21, 23)Anyone who has ever received guidance from a fortuneteller and/or dabbled
in any form of occultism must renounce the activity to liberate their lives from its
penalties.
Generational Curses - These are instances where inclination to commit
particular forms of sin and the consequential penalties pass from one generation to
the next. Under the New Covenant, generational curses normally manifest where
children have been directly influenced by a sinful relative. Face to face interaction
rarely goes beyond two generations back.
The New Covenant is called a better covenant. It is better in that it differs
from the Old in a wonderful way. Descendants are not held responsible for
ancestral sins. Believers are new creations in Christ who are forgiven personal sins
and those of forefathers; and therefore are not subject to the penalties for their
forefather’s transgressions. (Jer 31:29-34; Ezek 18:19-22, 30-32)
There are occasional situations where for unknown reasons aspects of a
generational curse from a dead relative whom he/she never met can spillover into
the life of a Christian. The descendant should repent of committing sins like those
of the ancestor. Then they should specifically name the relative and renounce the
curse and its consequences that were passed down to them. This can be
accompanied by expelling demons that incite the sins and whatever types of
consequential troubles.
The concept of generational curses provokes a deep question: Why would a
loving God invent such a policy under the Old Covenant?
It was intended to be a deterrent to disobedience. If a sensitive father
understands that disobedience can harness his children and grandchildren to
miserable-go-rounds of sin and the consequences; the father might be more apt to
live a godly life.
The Adamic Curse & Generational Curses
It is not helpful to give innuendo that life would be free of all curse related
trials if generational curses were specifically renounced. To varying degrees,
everyone still has to continually contend with overcoming the curses generated by
the Fall of Adam. I am making reference to sickness; the effects of aging;
disruptions in relational harmony; and the like.
Let us pretend that it is possible to place 10 successive generations of
paternal and maternal family members in an antiseptic environment. The
environment is free of all occult contamination; verbal denouncement curses;
unforgiveness issues; and everything else considered acts of current and ancestral
sins.
Even in that event, not a single generation would have guarantee of living a
life free of incidents of hardship that are routinely attributed to generational curses. No matter how antiseptic an environment is in a spiritual sense; bad things have
potential to happen.
This is because in body and soul, even those who possess a new creation
inner-man of the Spirit, are carriers and transmitters of the Adamic curse. There
are instances when some aspects of the Adamic curse can be suspended by prayer
to alleviate suffering. But, it will not be completely eradicated until after the
Millennium.
Potpourri Statements & Principles
Christians who concentrate on the dangers of generational curses from
remote past generations would do well to consider the probability of
generational forgiveness. I Cor 7:14 says that children are sanctified by the
faith of just one parent who is a believer. A child can become a circumspect
believer during the first years of personal sin accountability without ever
persisting in unrepentant curse spawning sins. The love of God and the
blood of Jesus at salvation bring forgiveness that covers a multitude of sins.
This includes the sins and consequential penalties of long past generations.
If a child born to a born-again parent remains faithful to God from birth
through adulthood; it is highly likely that they will experience the protection
of generational forgiveness regardless of the curses on past paternal and
maternal generations.
I do not believe that it is spiritually beneficial to suspect a generational sin
needs to be renounced, unless the consequences of the Adamic curse have
been ruled out. This would be instances where there are specific signs that a
Christian is experiencing evidence of a hardship that has intensity unusually
beyond that routinely experienced by saints and sinners alike.
The first commandment that has promise is that children should honor their
parents. This paves the way for them to have long and successful lives. Life
cannot go well for those who have habitual history of disrespect for their
parents. (Eph 6:1-2) Mal 4:6 warns that the hearts of fathers must be turned
toward their children and children toward their fathers, lest the earth be
smitten with a curse.
There are segments of our culture where excessive
percentages of all children are not conceived in wedlock. The fathers
express no concerns for their children and leave their nurture and sustenance
to the State. Our suburbs are filled with children whose fathers have
abdicated fatherhood responsibilities. They try to avoid making even
minimal child-support payments. In inner-cities and posh neighborhoods,
there is a vicious cycle of curses fueled by fatherly neglect even with people
of churchgoing heritage. There is no hope of change for the better until
fathers turn their hearts toward home. This will encourage children to respect their parents. The curse of children repeating the sins of their fathers
and suffering the curse penalties will be broken.
Evil will not depart from the house of those who return evil for good. (Prov
17:13) This is a curse frequently experienced by Christians who criticize
members of a former church that they once boasted was of great help.
Condemning speech is generated when it is the critic’s decision that an
excuse is needed to hop to another fellowship. Believers must be very
careful how they handle fellow believers. The Church at large exemplifies
the wreckage of the lives of members who brought curses upon themselves
by giving cause for other Christians to question the character of a fellow
believer. In retrospect, I have been shocked to see the mayhem and
instances of premature death that can come upon people who are unrepentant
about breaking this biblical principle.
Paul admonished the Corinthian Church that many were weak and sickly
and that some had died prematurely for disrespecting Holy Communion, the
Lord’s Supper. This can happen by taking it in a flippant manner soon
forgetting all that participation implies about living holy lives. Disrespect is
also exemplified by churches’ infrequent provision of the Eucharist elements
for believer’s benefit.
I am not of the opinion that God personally orchestrates every curse
incident. I believe that the laws of sowing and reaping that God instituted in
the event of mankind’s fall into sin are the onsite causes for curses.
The greatest protection against risks of curses of sin and the consequences is
by having the right attitude about what happens at salvation and subsequent
water baptism. Identification with Christ in salvation executes the old man
of sin and produces a new creation in Christ. It says the old me was in
Christ when he was crucified.
When he said it was finished and died; that finished sin and curses for me because I died when he died. Identification with Jesus in water baptism symbolizes the burial of the old me and my
resurrection out of the water as a new creation in Christ. My old nature of
sin that was subject to curses has been washed down the drain of the
baptismal font. My old carnal nature is no longer available for seduction by
the glamour of sin and its consequential curses. You are knocking at the
door of a new man in Christ whose born-again spirit is incapable of
generating sins that spawn the troubles associated with curses. That is my
story and I am sticking to it, so be gone!
Sample Prayer for Divine Crop Failure Intervention
If you have identified fields where you know the seeds of a curse are at
work; the Lord is willing to grant you divine crop failures. It happens by earnestly
repenting, confessing any related sins, and by invoking the forgiveness and power of the blood of Jesus Christ. God will cause “crop failures” of curses in the fields
you have identified.
Here is a sample prayer to help you place that desire before the Lord. It will
help you express your thoughts to the Lord in a way that will bring His grace and
help.
Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name. I have discovered that I am
suffering the consequences of denouncements and vows. There are fields within
my life circumstances that bear the evidences of this. (Name the areas of economic
and relational stresses and any adverse health conditions, etc.)
Lord, I need for You to intervene on my behalf. I ask for Your help on the
basis of all that Your Son accomplished for me through His atoning blood. At
Calvary, He kept His vow of obedience to God’s will. Jesus took all of the
punishment due me that I might be liberated to enjoy all of the blessings due Him.
His cleansing blood is Your divine agent to rectify my situation. I declare that His
blood spoils the cursed harvest that I am experiencing. His blood brings true “crop
failure” to the consequences of the seeds of curses that were planted in my life.
I declare that I am a new creation in Christ. The denouncements that (name
the person) uttered against me cannot thrive where Christ’s blood has been applied.
Due to God’s forgiveness, the vows that I have broken no longer bear witness
against me. The ill-advised vows that I have made carry no weight in the courts of
heaven. I thank you that I am forgiven for interweaving flippant vows and antiSemitism into my conversations.
By Your grace I will not suffer any more consequences. By the authority of Jesus’ name, I command any demonic parasites to leave my soul and body now so that I may be restored to wholeness. So be it in the name of Jesus!
Lord, I humbly accept the truth that Your will for me is spiritual vibrancy,
mental sharpness, physical health, financial prosperity and relational harmony.
From this time forward, I know that I will be blessed in all of my endeavors and
relationships. I thank You, dear Father, for granting me liberation from further
harvests of any of the seeds of curses that were planted in my life. In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
Anyone interested in thorough study about this topic and related themes can
order my book from Amazon.com – Invisible Enemies: How to recognize and
defeat demons. You will also benefit by reading Derek Prince’s, Blessing or
Curse: You can choose.
