How do I get rid of a family curse?

A curse would be considered superstition by the Church. Therefore there would be no "remedy."

Exorcisms, yes I believe in them. Curses, er, no. I don't. But....when nyj reads this thread I will venture to guess he will know for sure whether or not the Church teaches curses exits. No doubt witchcraft exists but I doubt the validity of its magik.

Jukes,

I think you give me too much credit. St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa does speak about curses. Summa Theologicae, Book II, Second Part, Question 76.

http://www.newadvent.org/summa/307600.htm

It's called "cursing" or more commonly referred to by the Church as a "malediction".

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09569a.htm

I'd have to research more into the Church's position on magic, though I believe that Satan could very well manipulate the things of this earth to make it appear as if something powerful is happening. Afterall, he is the Father of Lies. I would imagine that such things could be simply countered by a blessing from a priest.

You and Wols continue to amaze me with your vast knowledge of the faith. Commendable.

After reading the links, my question to Rising Suns would be what kind of curse? The Curse of the Bambino is more of a legend than an actual curse. For those not familiar with it, when the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees, they have not been able to win a World Series. Another example is when some guy brought a goat to a Cubs' game and was kicked out. He allegedly cursed them. The Cubbies haven't won a series since 1908. I don't think these are really curses. Front office mismanagement, etc. etc.

Anyway, looking forward to more dialogue on this topic. Interesting.....

Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered up and died ...

    Curses do exist. Always have, and probably always will. At least as long as we sin and allow sin around us. Why do so many have a hard time believing in the power of evil? We believe in the infinite goodness of God, in the saving grace of Jesus, and the boundless love of the Holy Spirit; we need these because we are not perfect, and why are we not perfect?

    We must not forget that Lucifer is very real. He is spoken of in the Old Testament, and confronts our Lord in the New Testament. His evil manifests itself in many ways. One way is indeed a curse on a family.

    The best route is straight to your Pastor, or another Priest in your parish. Explain the problem, and let this man of God help you, it is for precisely this that he has given is life to God - to serve, to be 'another Christ', to care for all the souls in his parish.

    It is also very important that we pray for each other, always and everywhere. It is these prayers, the prayers of the faithful, that help keep evil away. As St. Paul says "pray incessantly".

                                                     

crd253, welcome to Christian Forums.

Just read the passages about Gideon for my devotional this morning ... after Gideon fought the Midianites he refused to be made the King of the Israelites ... later his son, Abimelech, by his slave, convinced the people of Shechem to make him a King and killed his 70 "brothers" with the help of these people ... all of Gideon's sons were killed except Jotham who hid and escaped ... this youngest son later stood up and addressed the people and then cursed them saying that they would turn against each other ... three years later ... the city of Shechem is destroyed and Abimelech is killed.

"In that way God punished Abimelech for all the evil he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. God also punished the men of Shechem for the evil they had done. So the curse spoken by Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, came true." Judges 9:56,57


In the gospels Jesus said we should consider ourselves blessed when men curse us ... but that might be a different meaning than an actual curse like the one by Jotham in the OT.

It would seem to me that if that person that has the curse were to go to a priest or have the priest come to their home and pray over them, anoint them and bless them that the curse would be broken????

Hi guys,

I just thought I'd share what I know about all this:

The Bible teaches that sinners (who are NOT in Christ), are punished for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generations-this is referring to those who HATE God (Ex 20:5, Deut 5:9). 

This may explain why some people have inherited genetic diseases.  I really wouldn't know for sure though.  But we do know that through Original Sin, we inherit the sins of our fathers.

But, there's good news!  The Bible teaches that those who love the lord are blessed to a thousand generations (Ex 20:6, Deut 5:10, Deut 7:9).  So those who are cursed are those who hate God and so they do not have Christ.  Those who have Christ are loved by God and are blessed.  By the way, in one of Francis MacNutt's books, he talks about this concept of 'ancestral/generational' sin 

In anycase, one thing I've always wondered was whether believers can be cursed or not.  And here's the quick answer:  No! =)

Why?  Before I answer this, keep in mind that 'ancestral/generational' sin is tied in with the curse of the law (Gal 3:10).  Here's what it says:

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law" (Gal 3:10)

But here's the wonderful news:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.  He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
(Gal 3:13-14)

Notice it says, 'blessing given to Abraham'.  Here's what the Bible says about that blessing:

He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. (1 Ch 16:15-16)

This is a reference to Gen 18:18-19 which says:

Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." (Gen 18-19)

So apparently, because the cross we are all blessed by God, and we are no longer under the curse of the law, which simply means we are freed from the curses of ancestral/generational sins, however we are not immune from sin.  Also, I do believe that Christians (who are truly abiding in Christ) cannot be harmed by spiritual curses from witches/shamans and such.  1 John talks about those who walk in the light and the darkness.  They certainly do possess power, but our God is far greater than them.  This is partially why I'm so big into teachings on 'charisma' and the Holy Spirit.

Also, one thing I find so encouraging is knowing that all authority has been given to Jesus (Matt 28:18), and Christ himself gave authority to the Church to drive out demons and other miracles (Luke 4:36, Luke 10:19).  In fact Jesus teaches that the gates of Hades will not prevail against it (Matt 16:18).  And Eph 1:21 tells us the amount of authority that Christ has.

Why is all this 'authority' stuff important?  Because it gives us an idea of how powerful the Church really is, and how curses and other bad things cannot harm us in some spiritual manner (or so I believe). 

Anyone feeling like praying the Lord's prayer over the lives of your friends and family?  I think it'll do a lot of good.  Why?  Because part of it says the following:

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt 6:10, KJV)

Why is this important you ask? 

Because, the kingdom is not of talk, but of miraculous power (1 Cor 4:20), and if demons are cast out then the kingdom of God has come upon those who were once possessed by them (Matt 12:28, Luke 11:20).  Apparently that's some 'powerful' stuff =)

And Jesus says that when the kingdom comes, it doesn't come with observation, but rather it comes within the us! (Luke 17:20)

So to sum it all up, when God's kingdom comes, the Holy Spirit fills us, and all the curses of the Law is taken away and placed upon Christ!  I hope that this sheds some light on understanding the Lord's prayer!!

May God's kingdom come into the lives of broken hearts!

God bless you all!

-Jason

Originally posted by Hoonbaba
This may explain why some people have inherited genetic diseases.

Click to expand...

Ummm, no.

Hi guys,

I just wanted to add that in the Lord's prayer it says:

Thy will be done (Matt 6:10)

I think this is also relevant with curses and such.  Here's something to think about:

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. (1 John 3:18)

And we know that Jesus claimed thath is purpose for coming was....

...to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:18-19)

I believe this is God's will.  Why?  Because Jesus said it himself:

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)

And Jesus even said that he only did what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19).  So when we pray "thy will be done", we're 'releasing the oppressed' (Luke 4:18-19) =)

As for the inherited genetic disease thing, I should've said, 'inherited disease'.  Francis MacNutt shares the deep connection between healing and confession.  Check out how Jesus healed a man in Matt 9:1-7.  In anycase, Francis MacNutt shares (in his book), some stories about how a daughter would be healed of a disease, because the Mother confessed her sins to her (i.e. somehow reconciliation between the two brought healing).  In light of the Old Testament curses of 'ancestral sins' (Deut 5:9).  And that's probably why James commands:

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.... (James 5:13-16)

Thus, I'm willing to believe that such things can happen, though I don't know for sure.

In anycase, I think the Lord's prayer is a GREAT prayer for breaking curses! =)

God bless!

-Jason

Okay, ample examples of curses....my question to those who wish to answer---can someone put a curse on you and it's binding? For example, you tick off your neighbor who happens to be Wiccan. He curses you saying you'll always have bad things happen to you. Can this happen? I'm not sure I believe it can......

I don't think God lets curses work on His faithful. I am told by the people I know who believe in magic that my sheer lack of interest in what they're doing makes it impossible for them to do anything even *near* me.

Hi jukes,

I don't see why any curses can fall upon God's people.  Matt 16:18 even says the gates of Hades will not overcome the church.  I believe nothing can spiritually curse the Church in anyway.  I see no basis for it.  And 1 John 3:8 tells us that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.  The church is very powerful

And here' something to consider:  Believers are in the 'heavenly jerusalem' (Heb 12:22-24), which I believe is the same one spoken of in Rev 21:2 and Gal 4:26.  And Catholics agree that this is something of the future, yet, heb 12:22-24 says it's also a reality.  This is what many people call 'already/not yet'.  This is why Catholics say believers are saved (eph 2:8), being saved (1 Cor 1:18) and will be saved (Mark 13:13).  And so when we look at Rev 22 we see that those who 'washed their robes' have entrance in the kingdom of God (Rev 22:14).  Somehow this is a reality right now based on Matt 12:28 and Heb 12:22-24.  And I think Hahn teaches on Rev 22 as spiritual realities as well as something of the future.

In anycase, Rev 22:15 also tells us something significant about those 'outside of the kingdom':

"Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." (Rev 22:15)

And based on the previous verse, those who haven't 'washed their robes' may not enter the kingdom (Rev 22:14), that's why such people who love doing evil are not part of the kingdom (Rev 22:15).  The implication here is that NOTHING can spiritually harm those who've 'washed their robes' or have been 'turned from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God' (Acts 26:18), simply because they're in a whole 'new world' so to speak.

Anyway, those are just my thoughts on the matter =)

God bless!

-Jason

I don't know? Padre Pio was definately attacked by demonic forces to the extent that many would call it a curse. I guess we need to define what a "curse" is.

Neal

Hi Neal,

I don't mean to say that people can't physically hurt us, but as for Padre Pio's situation, I don't know what that's about, and I probably wouldn't be able to explain it well anyway

But I do believe that God will not allow us to be demon possessed.  Some protestant charismatics believe that Christians can be 'demonized' as if demons have some sort of control over the christian.  I personally don't agree with that.  For example, one explanation as to why people fall into sexual sin is that a demon is influencing the Christian.  But the way I see it, it's our own flesh that causes us to sin (James 1:13-14).  And I also do believe that sanctification involves renewing our minds in Christ, so that we wouldn't conform to the patterns of the world (Rom 12:2).  And so the problem of sin deals with our fleshly bodies (Rom 7:7-25).  To me, this sounds like something I learned about in psychology:  Classical conditioning (aka Pavlovian conditioning).  Doesn't that sound like Rom 12:2? =)

In anycase, I digress. LOL

I believe that suffering is necessary in the Christian life (Prov 3:11, Heb 12:5, 2 Tim 3:12).  And Jesus is a perfect example.  However, I believe there's 2 types of suffering:  godly suffering, and ungodly suffering.

If I had to define 'curse' as best as possible, I'd say it's ungodly suffering:  suffering that leads you away from Christ, which is not to be confused with 'godly' suffering which draws you closer to Christ.  According to the Bible, Jesus came to literally undo the 'ungodly' suffering that the 'lost' experience.  That's why Jesus says,

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:18-19)

Honestly I love how it says 'proclaim the year of the Lord's favor'.  Here's why:

<SUP>8</SUP> This is what the Lord says:

"In the time of my favor I will answer you,
and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people,
to restore the land
and to reassign its desolate inheritances,
<SUP>9</SUP> to say to the captives, 'Come out,'
and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' (Is 49:8-9)

The significance is that we are free in Christ! (Gal 5:1) I just thought I'd share that...

Anyway, I just believe that God himself will not intentionally harm his people as if they will be tormented day and night, since it's God's will to reverse that kind of thing.&nbsp; Honestly I don't know about Padre Pio.&nbsp; In fact I've never heard of him before.&nbsp; I get some feeling that maybe my definition of curse wasn't accurate, or that maybe I'm wrong somewhere.&nbsp;

God bless!

-Jason

Originally posted by Rising_Suns
I think you're wrong on that one juke. I remember reading from 2 different sources that family curses do exist, starting from our ancestors back in the times when witchcraft was rampid. Witchcraft does exist, and it is evil. I don't think it is superstition at all and I don't believe the Church thinks like this either. I have used a ouigi baord back in highschool for fun and one of my friends got posessed the very next day after asking to see her fathers spirit. She litterally snapped for no reason and went on a rampage in her neighbors houses, tearing up the wallpaper, paintings, and destroying furniture. Her IQ went from average to genious. She talked about the universe and how everything matched up in a certain way. She had answers to questions we all are concerned about (well, the spirit did anyway).

If you have read my other post, you will see that a similair thing has happened to my newest friend. Thus, I am looking for any reason at all that this could happen, and I think a family curse could be an option here. I know there is a prayer somewhere to lift evil curses, I just need to find it.

Click to expand...

Yes there is such a thing as a generational curse. Deut 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,"
So a sin can follow a persons family for generations--an example would be E. Hemmingways family--at least 6 members have either commited sucide or attempted it and even the inlaws were included, and added to that number. There are four things that make a person particulary susceptible to generational sin and iniquity. They are
1. Occultic involvement and witchcraft Anything that draws its power from a source other then God is demonic in nature and can produce problems in the generations.
2. Secret societies Including Freemasonry, Eastern Star, and Shriners. Members are often required to take oaths that acctually curse themselfs and their families.
3. Robbing or defrauding God
4. Bondages--A habit of sin, we can develop a bondage. A bondage means that there is a supernatural element to our problem. The enemy now has a grip on a function of our personality.
The key is repentance and prayer to brake off those curses.

That's interesting. I knew that secret societies take blood oaths and aren't allowed to discuss anything lest harm comes to them or their families. I've often wondered about fraternities at colleges....aren't they sort of a secret society?