Paul AremoOluwa
God’s truth is His eternal weapon for these last days, for
the purpose of equipping the church of Jesus and to deliver us from the wiles of
the devil. It is obvious that the devil failed to hinder the redemptive plan of
God. That loss had prompted him to do all he can to prevent Christians from
enjoying all the privileges of God in Christ. Religion and traditions of men
are common strategies the devil uses to lure or blind us from the blessings of the
New Covenant. How deep we are caught in the devil’s tricks can only be revealed
by the Spirit of God. I do not share on this topic because I possess a superior
knowledge but because the Lord had graciously assigned me to convey this
according to His infinite wisdom. I pray you’ll find the time to read every
sentence and paragraph carefully. Please, allow the Lord speak to you before
you can share or comment on this post.
These simple truths or simple faith as the Lord mostly refers
to it is to show us how the Lord wants His gospel preached to all nations. Every
believer is to see the gospel of Jesus always as simple. God raised these words
with me to reveal in me and other believers why we are still dealing with the
issues of Curses and generational cords, and why the devil operates freely in
our lives. My understanding has experienced a shift on the topic of curses and generational
cords. I rest in the help of the Holy Spirit to communicate this truth as
simple as the Lord taught me.
WHAT ARE CURSES?
Curses are negative forces that have its operations in the
spiritual but affect an individual, family, society or a nation negatively, resulting
in all kinds of catastrophic and unfortunate occurrences. However, the Lord
focused more on the reason for curses in the life of a believer. Under the Old Covenant
you can either inherit a blessing or a curse (Deuteronomy 11:28), it depends on
your obedience to the Law of God. But in the New Testament although we are no
longer the Law and Christ had taken away our curse many Christians are under a
curse.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a
curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a
tree." Galatians 3:13 NIV
God revealed to me
that many believers are struggling with curses in one or more areas of their lives
because they believe the redemption they experienced in Christ didn’t deal with
all the curses that were in existence before their born again experience. Others
believe they are still prone to the influences of curses from the spiritual realm (witches and wizards) and
from the Law of Moses.
WHAT ARE GENERATIONAL CURSES AND CORDS?
Generational curses are cords are passed down to someone by
relation of blood. It is passed down from one generation to another and it negatively
influences lives. They are curses that have nothing to do with your deeds but
by virtue of the family, society or nation you belong to by birth. Generational
cords on the other hand are spiritual influences that create negative patterns
of lifestyles and sin in a person. E.g. If my grandfather died being a drunk,
my dad died also as a drunk, and I am also struggling with the same habit of drunkenness,
it is said to be an evident manifestation of a generational cord in operation.
I have dealt with the issues of generation cords and curses in my life, and I have also
dealt with them in the lives of other believers.
I have seen Christians dealing with curses and generational
cords for ten years and more with no end in sight. God told me in plain words that, “It
is not My will that a Christian deal with any curse, generational curse and
cords for a moment in his life under the New Covenant.” God revealed that the
power and privileges of the New Covenant is so potent it rid the believer of
all these at the inception of his faith. The Lord said, “I prepared the New
Covenant Having these problems at the core of my heart.” Why then are curses
and generational cords evident in the lives of believers? Why was it evident in
my life? The Lord said the enemy in His subtlety is the sole reason for it and
He shares three ways he does it and we allow him. But we would be looking at the one today.
1. LIVING UNDER THE LAW
The Lord compared this first trick of the devil to that of
Balak who hired the prophet Balaam to curse the nation of Israel. But no matter
how hard Balaam tried he couldn’t curse the children of Israel because the
blessings and protection of God was upon them. Balaam later counselled Balak to
lure the Israelites away from God’s protection and blessings with the sin of
fornication and idolatry so they would break the law and incur God’s wrath
(Numbers 31:16 and Revelations 2:14). The Lord revealed that a Christian is
blessed with all His blessings the moment he believes.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in
Christ. Ephesians 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for life
and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the
corruption (anything aside of God) in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
Therefore a Christian cannot partake of God and a curse would exist in his life just as Balaam told Balak (except he allows it):
How can I curse those
whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced?
Numbers 23:8 NIV
No curse can touch Jacob; no magic has any power against
Israel. For now it will be said of Jacob, ‘What wonders God has done for
Israel!' Numbers 23:23 NLT
If nobody can curse the people of the Lord under the Old Testament because they were under God's protection and guidance, how much more when we are under the New Testament with promises better than that of the Old Testament?
The devil is aware of the covenant of blessings and
protection the Lord have with His Church under the New Covenant by FAITH in His GRACE. So he lures believers out from under the grace
of God and brings them under the law. The devil's intention being: through keeping or breaking any of the Law of Moses they might be under wrath and curse. As it is written:
"Cursed is the man who does not uphold
the words of this law by carrying them out." Then all the people shall
say, "Amen!" Deuteronomy 27:26 NIV
And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking
to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and
doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures,
Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be
everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts
and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them. Galatians
3:10 AMP
Christians in their journey of faith somehow believes or are led to believe that the grace
of God enables them to observe some precepts of the Law of Moses. Somewhere in
our hearts we doubt grace and faith (belief) in God alone is all that is required from us to live in righteousness.
We believe grace must be married with certain works of the Law so we can continually
be justified in the sight of God.
An example, some Christians quote the Law,
“The bible says we should abstain from
eating pigs, certain animals and food.” Meanwhile the Holy Ghost under the
New Covenant warned believers earnestly:
Now the Spirit
expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith,
giving heed to deceiving (Seducing) spirits and doctrines of demons,
speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created
to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe (Christians) and know the
truth. For every creature (animal) of God is good, and nothing is to be refused
(abstained from) if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified
(holy) by the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brethren (Christians)
in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in
the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully
followed. 1 Tim 4:1-6 NKJV
Anyone who teaches the doctrine which the Holy Ghost warns
us about in the scripture above is ministering the doctrine of devils under the
inspiration of seducing spirits. Such person is also trying to bring you under a curse by dragging you back under the Law. Let me clearly state, there is nothing wrong
if you choose not to eat certain foods, wine or meats based on personal resolve.
E.g. I don’t eat fat from my childhood because I don’t like its oily taste (not
because I read it in Leviticus 3:16-17). It only becomes a problem when you believe
and teach people that certain foods, drinks or meat should be abstained from
because the Law of Moses commands it. Timothy was warned to put believers to
remembrance of the express warnings of the Spirit.
Seducing spirits lures Christians away from the simple faith
in Jesus into keeping the works of the law so they can transgress, become
unjustified and inherit curses under the Law. As I see this truth across the
scriptures I can only marvel greatly at the deception of the devil and then
turn to God to appreciate Him for so great a salvation. I finally understand
why Paul and the apostles placed a curse on those who troubled the Galatian
church when they were asked to be circumcised.
The seduction that compels Christians to embrace the works of the law
together with faith, as God revealed to me, is what Paul referred to as "witchcraft" when he said these words:
O YOU poor and silly
and thoughtless and unreflecting and senseless Galatians! Who has fascinated or
bewitched or cast a spell over you, unto whom — right before your very eyes —
Jesus Christ (the Messiah) was openly and graphically set forth and portrayed
as crucified? Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the [Holy]
Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by
hearing [the message of the Gospel] and believing [it]? [Was it from observing
a law of rituals or from a message of faith?] Are you so foolish and so
senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the
[Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?
Galatians 3:1-3 AMP
- I. When a Christian saved by faith alone in Christ go back to live by any of the works of the Law, he must also live every aspect of his life by all the precepts of the Law of Moses else he is cursed.
All who rely on
observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who
does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.
Galatians 3:10 NIV
- II. If a man is guilty in of one precept of the Law of Moses he is guilty in all aspects of the Law and therefore he is accursed.
The law is not based on faith; on the contrary,
the man who does these things (works of the law) will live (abide or continue)
by them. Galatians 3:12 NIV
For whoever keeps the
whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10 NIV
A Christian is no longer justified by faith alone in Jesus
Christ when he keeps the Law. Faith
and the Law cannot mix together (Galatians
3:10). Anywhere we find such unholy union of Faith + Law it is a hybrid
gospel without the purity of truth. A Christian has ignorantly departed
from the gospel of faith into another gospel when he observes the Law.
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God,
who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following
a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at
all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning
Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 NLT
The devil is
fully aware that any Christian that lives by faith alone is totally untouchable and
inaccessible to him because of the privileges of the New Covenant established
by the blood of Christ. He therefore lures Christians continually with
doctrines to draw them away from under the covering of grace that comes by faith into keeping
certain laws of the Old Covenant. He makes such believers to see themselves to be more
righteous by keeping the Law but ignorantly such Christians have been brought under
the curses of the Law.
One of the reasons curses exists in the lives of believers is
because we keep at least one precept of the Law. We can therefore extend this
to some notable areas, e.g. paying tithes as observed under the Law of Moses can bring me under a curse for three reasons:
I.
- Under the Law tithes are only received by priests who are of the tribe of Levi. If I don’t pay my tithes to a Levite priest, I have broken God’s commandment under the law so I am under a curse.
- Breaking God’s commandment on tithing means I have also broken all other commandments, which also attracts a curse.
- To keep the commandment of tithing I must keep all commandments of the Law, failure of which brings me under a curse.
(I commend Christians
to study the Epistles on how believers should financially commit themselves to
the Lord. One of such way is giving by grace because we are partakers of the grace
of the Lord Jesus: 2 Corinthian 8 and 9
are insightful).
If I keep any precept from the Law of Moses I am entrapped under the curse of the Law.
It is not hard to hear certain doctrines built upon the law of Moses: females forbidden to wear trousers because of the Law, women forbidden to climb the pulpit or
ministering during their menstrual cycle, observing a fast according to
Jewish feasts, burning of incense, observing Sabbath according to the Law, giving first fruits of substance or children, services held according to Leviticus order etc.
The problem with these things is that they make us
appear spiritual in our own eyes, we almost sometimes classify them as fruits
of righteousness and they cast false shades of humility on believers. But here
is what the Holy Ghost says:
Therefore do not let
anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious
festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the
things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in
Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of
angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about
what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He
has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held
together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Since you
died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you
still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: Do not handle! Do not taste!
Do not touch! These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based
on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of
wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh
treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual
indulgence. Colossians 2:16-23 NIV
This is the day we must stand our ground and see those who
merge the Faith of Jesus with works of the law as the enemy of the gospel of
Jesus. Just as Paul and Barnabas rose to defend the gospel of God’s grace we must
rise also. Let’s think about it, why didn’t Paul just allow the Galatians to be
circumcised? Why was it such a big deal to him? Why did Paul and Barnabas go to
Jerusalem to defend the gospel of God’s grace in Acts 15? It is because they understood the implication of this
deceit of the marriage of faith and Law.
The Holy Spirit speaking through Paul said to the Galatians
then and to us today:
IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and
completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held
ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. Notice,
it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be
of no profit (advantage, avail) to you [for if you distrust Him, you can gain
nothing from Him]. I once more protest and testify to every man who receives
circumcision that he is under obligation and bound to practice the whole of the
Law and its ordinances. If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and
to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to
nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away
from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing). For we, [not
relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit's [help], by faith anticipate
and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right
standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action,
causes us] to hope. For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and
expressed and working through love. You were running the race nobly. Who has
interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the
Truth? Galatians 5:1-7 AMP
Some may quickly ask, why did Paul circumcise Timothy? Evidently,
Paul didn’t do it for the sake of the Law or for Timothy to appear justified but because paul was compelled by the Jews.
He
came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose
mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2 The
brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him
along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in
that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Acts
16:1-3 NIV
The Lord
therefore said, “As many people who
insist on keeping certain aspects of the Law; who according to Him are
betrothed to the law, will be dealing with curses throughout their lives. They
can deal with these curses by the provisions of Christ but it will keep reappearing.
Just like cutting branches of a tree does not kill it. Until, they dwell in my
perfect will which is by faith alone in the grace of my son Jesus Christ.”
Then I
understood why I kept dealing with curses in my life and others (though with evident manifestations) different ones came popping up. The Lord further revealed to me that I
must strive to keep myself in the righteousness of Christ alone because it is easy to
swerve into the works of the Law. He showed me that Paul the apostle strive to
remain in the righteousness of faith (though he taught it) and that every Christian must fight to
remain in his faith alone.
What is more, I
consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them
rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be
found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,
but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from
God and is by faith. Philippians
3:8-9 NIV
“When a believer goes
back to the Law he is despising my grace, rejecting the faith and treading upon
the New Covenant with disgust. The devil derives great pleasure watching
believers struggle with curses, getting rid of it but never getting out of its
grip. He injects frustrations into their lives and denies them from all I have
carefully provided. Many believers had died prematurely, others dealt with
curses till death and many are still battling with curses which I dealt with once
by the death of my Son Jesus Christ. Oh that my people would listen to what my
Spirit says about the New Covenant that they may find rest for their souls. I
blessed you will all my blessings through which I took away all your curses. I
take away the old and establish the new; your new birth terminated your old
existence (Hallelujah). How great is the curses that bound you once, and how
great is the blood and sacrifice of My Son that set you free once. If it (the
blood and sacrifice of Jesus) does not purge sin partly but completely believe that
Jesus took out all curses and negative influences upon your life once and
completely.” (Amen).
Can curses still affect Christians even when Christ had been made a curse for them? Yes! How? If they are observing the Law of Moses they have fallen away from God's grace in the New Covenant into another covenant which places curses on the transgressors of the Law. What can such Christians do?
Step 1: Cease from doctrines that binds them to the Law of Moses and believe they were made righteous with Jesus Christ.
Step 2: Deal with the curses by the blood of Jesus.
Step 3: Believe every curse (either from the Law or otherwise) is broken and you cannot be cursed again.
For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a
share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual
blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon
gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, grace ( unearned, undeserved
favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17
AMP
This is the simple faith of God's grace taught in all epistles. I pray God keep your heart in the simplicity of the gospel of His Son. Amen
To be continued...
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