“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.” (Proverbs 18:21 GW)
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.”
(Proverbs 26:2 NIV)
Last Sunday at church our leadership received a word of knowledge that God wanted to heal people with stomach and liver issues. We prayed over the 4-6 people who needed prayer. Then our pastor said God also wanted to heal those who had word curses put upon them. Probably 50-60 people came forward, wanting to be healed and freed from hurtful words that had been spoken over them.
- You’ll never amount to anything…
- You’ll never do it right…
- You’ll never change…
- You’re going to be just like your mother…
- You’ll never find anyone to love you…
- I wish you were dead…
- I wish you’d never been born…
Words – both those spoken by others and those we speak or think about ourselves – can easily wound, damage, belittle, or even wish us evil. Sometimes they are just stubborn weeds that keep us continually distracted from the fullness of Abundant Life that Jesus came to give us. Sometimes they are small weeds in the gardens of our lives that eventually grow into huge thorns or thistles that choke our ability to function. Sometimes word curses have been with us so long they have woven themselves into the fabric of our souls and our very nature can’t imagine being whole or healed or freed. Jesus doesn’t want us to live with word curses, weeds, thorns, or thistles, having our souls stolen, killed, and destroyed. Hear again these words of good news: Jesus came that we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows. (John 10:10)
So, what do we do with those word curses?
- Realize that God does NOT want you to be cursed (Numbers 22:12)
- Recognize that if the words spoken over you do not line up with what God says about you, they are not true and are to be rejected. (John 6:63, Proverbs 26:2)
- Saturate your mind with the Truth of God’s Word to replace evil words with good. (Philippians 4:8-9)
- Receive by faith the Truth of God’s good Word for you. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
- Forgive those who have cursed you with words – including yourself. (Colossians 3:13)
- Refuse to speak curses over others (Romans 12:14)
- Resolve to speak out loud – not just think or intend – blessings over yourself and others. (Proverbs 11:25, 16:24)*
Easier listed out than done, though, huh? If for a lifetime you have believed that you weren’t good enough, that you weren’t lovable, that you will never amount to anything, overcoming those lies can’t “just happen,” can it?
Well, yes. It can. As with any long or complex journey, start by taking the first step toward healing and restoration. Ask God to help you do all the above things. Don’t settle for the lies of the enemy; seek the healing of Almighty God.
Collect some spiritually mature friends and pray together over these things. Expect God to heal you. Accept and embrace that healing. Then replace those thorns, weeds, and lies with the Word of God. Saturate your mind with these truths:
- I was created very good by the loving God of the universe whose Holy Spirit dwells within me when I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. (Psalm 139, 1 Corinthians 3:16)
- Although I was sinful by nature, when I came to faith in Christ the blood of Jesus covered all my sins and the Father sees me only as righteous. There is now NO condemnation upon me. (Romans 3, 5, 8)
- There is nothing that can separate me from the love of God. (Romans 8:37-39)
- I am a child of God and he rejoices over me with singing and quiets me with his love. (1 John 3:1, Zephaniah 3:17)
- I cast all my anxieties on him because he cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7)
- I can and will keep my thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. (Philippians 4:8)
- God has good plans for me and my future and wants me to live a full and abundant life. (Jeremiah 29:11-12, John 10:10)*
Jehovah Rapha, Our Healer,
Thank you for being a loving God who sings over us with joy, quiets us with your love, and has taken all our sins upon us. Thank you for offering your grace, mercy, and peace, and for the truth of your Word upon us. God, we come to you today asking for healing for the words that have been spoken about or over us that were curses and not blessings. We know you do not want us to be cursed and that undeserved curses should not become rooted within us, yet, this bent, broken, and twisted world seems to continually try to beat us down. Help us to recognize that if words spoken about us do not line up with your Word and your Heart for us, they are not true. Help us receive the Truth of your Word and saturate our minds with your Truth. Help us to forgive those who have inflicted pain with words – and even to forgive ourselves when our thoughts and words do not line up with you. Help us to keep our thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. Holy Spirit, help our spirits and souls to truly, deeply, and fully believe the Good News of abundant life in Christ and to allow you to heal us of any and all word curses that have been put upon us. May we live out the beauty, adventure, and fullness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord and with the help of our Advocate and Comforter Holy Spirit, Amen.
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (John 10:10 AMP)
“But God said to Balaam, ‘Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.’” (Numbers 22:12 NIV)
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” (John 6:63 NIV)
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9 NIV)
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV)
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13 NIV)
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14 NIV)
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24 NIV)
“Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Put into practice the example of all that you have heard from me or seen in my life and the God of peace will be with you in all things.” (Philippians 4:6-9 TPT)
*h/t https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/overcoming-the-curse-of-words.html