Bibledoorajar: Abilities to curse

cursing:

To call down evil upon others violently
A call for evil to rest on someone
Invocation of evil against one’s enemies

Soon after the cliffs moved and the spring rose up and destroyed the Children of Israel's enemy, other leaders began to hear about the victory. One leader was named Balak. He felt so strongly about the threat that he felt he and his armies stood no chance against the Israelites. In a conversation among his people and with the Midianites the threat was put this way:

"This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.”

In order to keep such a wipe out from happening, Balak felt he had to have the best of help. Although the prophet he had in mind lived a long way from him, he felt it would be absolutely necessary to send for him. He wanted him to put such a curse on the Israelites that they would be rendered useless on the battlefield. A curse such as defined above. The prophet's name was Balaam and Balak sent an envoy with a divination fee to lure him to help. God was aware of Balaam and his ability to curse and He absolutely forbade him to curse His people whom Balak referred to as enemies.

The doctrine of Christ rises above the culture described above. Jesus's doctrine is that we are not only not to curse our enemies but we are to love them and pray for them. It is a take stock situation for most of us. It seems the ability to hate and curse can rise freely within us, but it takes the help of Christ to love and pray for our enemies. There is a children's song that puts it this way:

"Love your enemies!

Even though they hate your guts, ya!

Love your enemies!

Even though they make me cry

Love your enemies!

Even though they hate your guts, ya!

Love your enemies!

Even though they make me cry"
John Mark McMillan

It's a higher call and an ability that calls for supernatural help. But that is exactly what we all need. If Balak had truly known the God of the Israelites, he too, could have had His help. We Christians know the words of Jesus but our challenge is to follow Him and call on Him. Not using our ability to curse is one such example of how He can help us succeed.