(Deuteronomy 27:16)
Cursed for dishonoring your mother and father. Curses are an interesting
topic, since they are the opposite of blessings. What exactly does the
Bible mean when it says we will be "cursed" for doing something. There are
many different theological positions in regard to curses, so rather than try
to debate them all, in the most general terms, a curse is the opposite of God's
blessing. I don't agree with those who talk about curses in a witchcraft
way or those who try to explain sinful behavior as being from a curse. I
totally reject the argument that "I can't help myself". We all make
choices, and when we choose to rebel, we can not just brush it off by saying
it is a curse. The one curse we are all born with is our sin nature. Only
a relationship with Jesus Christ can fix that. When the Bible says you will
be cursed for disobeying God, it means you will suffer the consequences of
your actions. God is not going to curse you.
One of the worst things I can think of is to try and live my life without
God's blessings. I did it for years, and it is a miserable and lonely
experience. The problem is that there are too many elements that are totally
beyond our control. Let me tell you right now, if you think you are in
control, you are simply playing mind games with yourself. We can create a
world where we have much control over what happens in our life, but we can
never control it all. We can never always be in control. There are just
too many variables out there that we have no ability to manipulate. If we
understand how vulnerable we really are, it makes our total dependence upon
God even that more important. God clearly talks throughout His Word about
being blessed when we are obedient. He also talks about curses for
disobedience. The curse is that his hand of blessing is NOT on your life. You
are literally on your own when you choose to rebel against God and His Word.
There can be no greater curse than that.
I love you so much, and care about you. I knew that these five special
devotions were going to be very hard for many of you to read and digest in
your Spirit. You didn't have a mom and or dad that you really could honor.
Whether is was from abuse, abandonment, or a lack of love, you had a mom
and/or dad who were not the parents God called them to be. That makes this
concept of honoring your mother and father all the more difficult to
comprehend. Now, in addition, the Bible is saying You will be cursed for
not honoring a mother and/or father who really don't deserve being honored
due to their actions. Here is the bottom line. God commanded we honor our
mother and father, God said we would be cursed for not doing so, so what
is our choice? Rebel and miss His blessings, or be obedient and enjoy them.
You honor a mother and/or father who may not have earned that honor in their
actions the same way you pray for your enemies, the same way you pray for
those who do bad things to you. It is impossible in your own weak flesh,
but in the supernatural strength God gives, you can do it. How did Jesus
pray for those who hated Him? How did Jesus pray for those who nailed Him
to a cross? In His manhood, it was not possible. However, using the
strength God gave Him, He did pray for them, and He not only prayed for
them, but forgave them. That is our example. That is why it is possible to
honor your mother and father, no matter what your relationship may have been
in the past or is today.
I will be praying for you today. God is not only giving you this word to
heed today, but also doing a work in many lives through this special series
of Devotionals. It is no accident that you are reading these words, so
accept it as God's way of talking to you. Open your heart to what He is
trying to say to you. Never forget, that as we obey God, we enjoy His
blessings in our life. Our curse for disobedience is not having those
blessings. There is too much sin, too much beyond our control, to try and do
it ourselves. Listen to God. Follow His Word. It really can be an
abundant life if we are living under His hand of blessing.
