Mark 14:71 But he began to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not this man of whom ye speak.
When we speak of cursing, people think of some words that have power to harm people, and similarly when they speak of blessing they think of the opposite, words that have power of benefit.
Our words (phonics) have no power whatsoever; it is the truth or lie that it delivers that has power. The Word of God is truth; thus, the Word of God has power, and anything that is against the Word (that is, a lie) also has power to do the opposite. The Word of God gives life, and lies lead to death.
We do not add or remove from people’s lives by blessing or cursing; we only quicken that which the Lord has already provided. When we bless, we quicken the good things (like rewards), and when we curse, we quicken the bad (like punishment).
The Greek word translated as curse is the word ‘anathematizo’ which is interpreted as ‘to declare oneself liable to the severest divine penalties’.
When we bless someone, we highlight the good in their lives and thus quicken the rewards due, and when we curse, we highlight the wrongs and thus quicken punishment on them; in both cases we judge. In case of blessing, we pass a favourable judgment and in case of cursing we pass a negative one. We are warned against cursing because if we do not show mercy, we ourselves will be deprived of it.
Like in the prayer ‘Our Father’, we are warned against withholding forgiveness unto others else we will also run the danger of not been forgiven. Similarly when we curse people then we do land the danger of being cursed ourselves (judged negatively). But if the Lord has asked us to warn or deliver negative judgment we do curse but only pass the judgment as messengers and do not run the danger of being punished, if we do not then we will be. Thus asking people to repent is one such warning which we as messengers deliver and are not the ones judging.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, are All-Knowing and All-Seeing; nothing is hidden from You. You alone can judge righteously. Lord, we pray and understand that we do not know everything or see everything; only through Your Word and Your Spirit can we judge. We pray we always remember to deal with others as You have dealt with us…
We make this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Acts 23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: