Blessing Over Cursing, Part 2

People of Blessing

As good disciples, we’re called to follow God’s example in what comes out of our mouths:

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Ephesians 5:1-2, NKJV).

If a blessing comes out of God’s mouth, then a blessing should come out of ours. We should be a people, not only experiencing God’s blessing on our lives but also passing that blessing on—including with what we say. This is an act of love flowing from our born-again hearts.

Numbers 6:24-26 is a well-known passage that emphasizes speaking life over someone. While we like to receive the blessing for ourselves, many times we fail to pass it on. This passage is centered around God telling Moses to instruct the Levites (church staff) to declare the blessing over the people. They didn’t need to wait for God’s booming voice to rattle heaven before the people could receive God’s blessing toward them.

And the Lord said to Moses, Say to Aaron and his sons, this is the way you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them, the Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; the Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually). And they shall put My name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them. tell us to bless and not curse and yet not do it himself (Numbers 6:22-27, AMPC).

Again, we may not be Israelites, but we have been “grafted in” to God’s people so we can receive this blessing as well (Romans 11:11-31; Galatians 3:13-14)! Anytime someone speaks this over us, or we speak it over them, God’s power of blessing is imparted.

The Apostles Paul, Peter, John, and Jude consistently set great examples of this for believers. Without fail, they would begin his letters to the churches with something like, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Or, “Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Often, they would end their letters with something similar. Sometimes this was after they had boldly corrected the recipients for sin and disunity. Though they had every reason to be upset over the disciples’ carnal behavior, they still chose to bless and encourage them in their discipleship. This was love.

“What about blessing people who have rejected God?” you may ask. Though they have no right to Deuteronomy 28 or Numbers 6, the Bible still commands us to bless: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14, NKJV). Blessing the unsaved can come in many forms. These may include praying for their salvation—that God would have mercy on them and give them time to repent. We can show blessing by sharing the Gospel with them and showing them acts of kindness. It also includes forgiving them of any wrong they may have done to us. We should never condone their sin and may need to speak out against what they believe. But our words and actions toward them personally should never be in the form of a curse, wishing evil on them in any way.

With so much evil going on in the world today, it is easy to fall into bitter frustration. But we must remember that if anyone is not acting like Jesus, they are not the problem.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV).

The devil is the one who inspires people to sin and hurt others. He is the one who influences them to break the law or live a sinful lifestyle. If there’s anyone we should “curse,” it is the devil who is using the person (Luke 10:19). So rather than spewing frustration at the political leaders, let’s pray for them (Matthew 5:44). Rather than losing our temper and venting to neighbors, let’s walk in love and forgive (Matthew 6:14, 15). In every situation, to every person, may our mouths contain blessing and not cursing.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14, KJV).