Bless those who curse you

Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-38

The Bible discourages cursing and encourages blessing, even those who curse us.  Romans 12:14 instructs believers to "bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." The Bible also tells us that we do not have to worry about someone randomly cursing us if there is no cause for it in our lives.  The Bible says, "A curse without cause does not come to rest" (Proverbs 26:2).  This means that if we do not deserve the 'curse,' it will not rest on us.  If we had done evil and deserved to be cursed, then it would be different.

Let me explain this. 

When Jesus sent the disciples two by two, He gave them specific instructions.  Jesus asked them to inquire who was 'worthy' and stay in their house.  He also instructed them to greet them.  "If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it.  But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you." (Matthew 10:11-13).  Only if the household was worthy of this 'peace' will it rest there.  Otherwise, it would come back to the one who sent it!

There is another incident recorded in the Bible for our edification.

When David sent his young men to Nabal, David sent a message of peace.  "Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have!" (1 Samuel 25:2-38).  Nabal was not a man of peace.  His wife herself called him a scoundrel (v25).  So, the message of peace sent by David did not rest upon him since Nabal did not deserve it.  He died after ten days. 

There are two lessons for us to learn from here. 

The first lesson is we may like to be prayed over and blessed by the people of God.  But the blessings will rest on us only if we deserve them!

The second lesson is that we must never curse anyone.  We would never know the exact situation of that person or the reason behind his evil behavior towards us.  Only God knows his heart.  We may curse him, and if the Lord considers that he does not deserve it, it will not rest on him but return to us.  Our curse will come back to harm us!  Even the archangel Michael, when disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, said, "The Lord rebuke you" (Jude 1:9).  So it is always better to bless than to curse.  If they do not deserve the blessing, we would be blessed more! 

My friend, The Lord says, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" (Deuteronomy 32:35).  Let us bless everyone, even those who have wronged us.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me always bless everyone.  Let no curse or hateful word cross my lips.  Help me, Lord.  Amen.