Some Christians believe in angels but not demons, heaven but not Hell, and blessings but not curses.
We should not focus on evil, but we must not ignore what Jesus taught. One third of His ministry dealt with demons, and Jesus never called anyone to the ministry without telling them to cast out demons. Evil spirits cannot enter anyone they choose, or else everyone in the world would be demonized. Demons must first find a door through which to enter. A legal door is opened because of sin, but not just any sin. The Bible speaks of two kinds of sin (see 1Jn. 5:16). One sin leads to death and the other is a besetting sin (see Heb. 12:1). A besetting sin will stop one’s blessings and progress. A sin that leads to death is one that brings a curse. A curse is a judgment and it opens the door for demonic activity. Only in Christ can sins be forgiven and curses be broken.
The Dynamics of a Curse
The entire world came under a curse because of Adam’s sin. That and all other curses were removed through the cross, but the practical outworking comes in stages. That is why Christians continue to get older and their bodies continue to show it. Just because people are saved from the penalty of sin does not mean they have been perfected. Nor does it mean that Christians cannot sin. If they commit a besetting sin it will hinder a level of God’s blessings from coming to them. If they commit a sin that leads to death, a curse will follow and that could bring demonic activity. Whatsoever we sow we will reap, even if we are Christians.
A curse is a sworn judgment (see Da. 9:11). They come because of our sin, sins of our forefathers, or sins of our nation or community leaders. Nations, cities and families are under curses because of wicked sins (see Da. 9, Ez. 22).
A curse can extend for 4 generations as is mentioned in the 10 Commandments (see Ex. 20:4). That means that a sworn judgment can be over a family and effect the grandchildren and great grandchildren, unless it is broken.
What Can Cause Curses?
Curses come because of a variety of terrible sins such as: occult involvement, dishonoring parents, hurting widows, orphans, immigrants or the poor, hurting the handicapped, business corruption, sexual perversion including adultery, the shedding of innocent blood, being an assassin, hurting the Jews, or not paying your tithes and offerings. (see Dt. 27:15-24, Ez. 22, Mal. 3, Ge. 12).
Breaking Curses
Breaking curses is a provision available to all believers, because of the work of the cross. It is like physical healing, deliverance and many other blessings that Jesus paid for. In Daniel’s prayer, (see Da. 9) we see that he acknowledged and repented for the sins of his forefathers. He asked for forgiveness for the nation even though he himself, was a righteous man (see Da. 6: 4). As an intercessor, he renounced Israel’s sins and asked God to remove the generational curses.
We should do the same if a family curse in evident. Then in the name of Jesus, we should verbally break the curse. This is no different from other exercises of ministry. Legally we have it, experientially we must take it.
Signs of a family curse or generational judgment becomes evident when we see unrealistic, on-going, repeated traumas that persist generation after generation. This can include abject poverty, suicides, infertility, generational sicknesses, marriage failure or a family being accident prone, to name only a few. Note, one should not jump to conclusions because these things have happened periodically, but if they detect a pattern they should consider the possibility of a generational curse.
Deliverance
One third of Jesus’ ministry involved deliverance. Demonic oppression and possession are commonplace today as they were in Bible times. Christians cannot be possessed by demons, for that infers ownership, and Christians belong to Jesus. Demonic aggravation or oppression, however, is common.
Wherever curses remain, a door is open for demonic activity. Demons, entice, deceive, compel, enslave, torment, and defile people. Pastors know these things are common with members of their churches. Lovely Christians battle with such struggles.
If a demon attacks from without, the Bible says, resist it (see Js. 4:7). If a demon is within, it must be cast out. The Bible says that a certain person had an evil spirit, had a demon, had a spirit of infirmity, or had a dumb spirit, etc. (see Mt.11:18, Mk. 7:25, 9:17, Lk. 4:33, 8:27, 13:11)
If a person has peace in body, soul, spirit and family they have no inner demons. If sickness, emotional turmoil or torment, constant relational upheaval, spiritual resistance to worship or good Bible teaching, or any paranormal activity persists, then a demon may be the cause. In that case, it should be rebuked and cast out.
There are some dynamics that should be mentioned regarding deliverance. Jesus taught on the subject and warned that a person who is delivered should not go back to a life of sin or 7 more demons may enter them and their end condition will be worse than when they started (see Lk. 11:26).
It is also important to follow the Biblical pattern for deliverance. The longest deliverance session mentioned in the Bible was less than 1 hour and that was the deliverance of a functioning fortune teller who was possessed (see Acts 16:18 KJV).
Most all the time the demons came out instantly and people were healed or delivered with a word. There are many examples of shaking, screaming, falling to the ground and even death-like symptoms being manifest when demons came out of a person. However, there were no lengthy deliverance sessions in the Bible.
Personal Counsel
Every situation is different, but I want to warn against an excessive focus on demons. After more than 45 years in the deliverance ministry, I observe that many people become worse after extensive deliverance sessions. I am not in favor of folks digging up people’s past, trying to hunt for more and more spiritual entities. Some ministers have long lists of demon types and dozens of ways they can enter. They spend hours questioning, investigation and fighting each demon. I believe this is a wrong and dangerous approach and it is not Biblical. Such an intense focus on the demonic brings added fears, and often more demonic involvement.
The Holy Spirit will quickly reveal or remind a person of sin. Then repentance and forgiveness should be exercised. Then renounce witchcraft and curse-causing sins. Proclaim the work of the Cross and your place in Christ. You may need help from a minister as you do this. Then worship the Lord and focus on Jesus. Keep your mind stayed on Him and only on that which is good. He promises to keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Him.
Keep your life and your heart pure, your house clean from spiritual darkness, and dedicate yourself to be an obedient servant of Christ. Furthermore, be sure to be an active member of a Holy Spirit led church and be in good fellowship with God’s people.
Realize, as a believer, your path is one of righteousness, peace and joy. You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. The life of a believer gets brighter until the full light of day.
17 Comments
Emmanuel Mweema March 20, 2020
This is very powerful, very easy to understand and true. Am also going through this, please pray for me
Wokuganyira Emmanuel March 20, 2020
Pray for me
Nixon Nicodemus March 20, 2020
Praise God this information has opened my mind and helped me to know demonic curses.
Thulane Mhlutshwa March 20, 2020
Thankyou for this wonderful teaching and clarification on deliverance i am informed, i’d like a prayer i am bound by a demon along with my family, it has caused turmoil and havoc in my life and addictions, i would truly appreciate for praying for me.
Adam K March 20, 2020
Very helpful and insightful, providing some clarity and a great reference point for practical application.. Thank you for your work.
Barbara March 20, 2020
Wow powerful praise the lord
we overcame him by the Blood of the lamb an the word of our testimony Rev 12v11
nicola jones March 20, 2020
Thank you for outlining information.
Shakira Princess March 20, 2020
I want to be delivered from evil spirits
Samantha jones March 20, 2020
Can you help me with deliverance I am possessed by Satan and I can’t get him off he is controlling body and mind
Arinola March 20, 2020
Thank you for the message. I will like a deliverance session from consistent bad dreams. Which, I believe is part of what’s making me remain in the situation I am going through right now, i actually did not believe I needed a deliverance session since I am born again but I don’t understand why the dreams won’t stop after all my prayers and decree.
JerryFrockt March 20, 2020
I need deliverance
Mable March 20, 2020
A lovely teaching that brings out truths.
Adaeze March 20, 2020
Please I need help to be delivered from the spirit of fear
OLIVER AYESIGA March 20, 2020
THANKS FOR YOUR TEACHING. I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE FOR DELIVERENCE
Therese Franca March 20, 2020
All thanks, praise, Glory, Honour and Majesty to The Holy Blessed Trinity, very enlightening please pray for my son Shane and I. God gave me a really bad feeling about a place not to move there but I leaned on my own understanding and those people were extremely involved with witchcraft. We have now moved twice but the demons, torment and the wicked just keep folliingbys zbdceach place we have mive to since are run or owned by wicked people. Please pray for my don and I thst The zlird will have Mercy upon us and put an end to this torment as it gets worse every day and has been going on for 13 years already.
tusiime lillian March 20, 2020
this is so eye opening and clear.many thanks and Gods blessings
saki March 20, 2020
by the power of the precious blood of Jesus, every demonic curse be defeated and disconnected….