Curses
Sometimes cause and effects are obvious, but sometimes "bad luck" strikes when one do not understand why one deserved it. The Bible calls "bad luck" a "curse".
Curses are the result of sin.
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked. -- Proverbs 3:33 (AMP)
God said to Adam:
"Because you have ..., cursed is ... all the days of your life;" -- Genesis 3:17
The same thing happened to Gehazi because of his sin (2 Kings 5:15-27)
For example:
| sin | curse | scriptures |
|---|---|---|
| covet silver or gold on idols | will be destroyed like the idols | Deuteronomy 7:25-26 |
| idolatry | children will receive the curses of their father | Deuteronomy 5:9 |
| murder | you will be murdered too | Hosea 4:2 |
| pride | resistance from God | James 4:6 |
| unthankfulness | poverty | Deuteronomy 28:47-48 |
The opposite is also true, for example:
| obedience | blessing | scripture |
|---|---|---|
| honour God with your wealth | receive abundant wealth | Proverbs 3:9 |
| honour your parents | enjoy inheritance | Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16 |
| humbleness | grace | James 4:6 |
| keep God's commandments | mercy | Deuteronomy 5:10 |
(These lists are incomplete, but you get the idea)
So if you live in obedience under God's protection, then curses will have no effect:
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. -- Proverbs 26:2 (ESV)
In addition, the Sapphire Leadership Group also identified the following curses that is activated by sin or bad lifestyle choices:
- Jealousy is the trap to agree with the demonic to have their will be done.
- Victimization is a trap that prevents people to live dominion.
- The Mesmerizing Spirit distracts people and focus their attention on one thing so that they do not notice what is going on in an important area of their lives.