Trevor Withers 6th May 2007

Blessing and cursing

 

Theme…… the power of the spoken word

The theme of cursing flows through the first two chapters of Job and spills into the third. 

• In Job 1 v 5 Job prays for his sons in case they have cursed God in their hearts

• In job 1 v 11 Satan says to God that if Job is afflicted he will surely curse you to your face.   Repeated in 2v 5

The purpose of Job is to show that this is not the case, Satan is proved wrong and although love is tested it stands. 

• In Job 2 v 9 Jobs wife tells him to curse God and die

Job has good discernment and rebukes her as a foolish woman

• In Job 3 v 1 Job curses the day he was born, though he did not curse God

We have a lot to do with the mouth here, which shows we need to be mindful of what we say.

Why do our words have such power?

• We are set apart by our speech it is part of our Godlikeness

• They are created with power as we are created in Gods image Genesis 1 26 – 27

• If I speak cursing and negative things then I bring that destruction into peoples lives!!

• These are often more damaging to heal than physical things. 

 Stephen Sondheim.  Picks up this idea in children will listen…

• We say sticks and stones…….

• Jesus says ‘my words are spirit and they are life’ (John 6 v 63)

• Curses have power as spoken words do

• We can curse others and ourselves

Many I will statements and I will never!!  Often the never statements that are the most damaging statements, which come to mind for us?

Another part of our God likeness is the power to choose based out of love

We have say so in the way the universe is set up as we have a part to play in the relationships.

Response time let’s make choices…….

Job proves that it is possible with God to stand against Satan and his words over us

He also challenges us to speak life and not curse and bring death

'Children Will Listen' Lyrics

(Barbra Streisand)

How do you say to your child in the night?
Nothing's all black, but then nothing's all white
How do you say it will all be all right
When you know that it might not be true?
What do you do?

Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn
Children may not obey, but children will listen
Children will look to you for which way to turn
Co learn what to be
Careful before you say "Listen to me"
Children will listen

Careful the wish you make
Wishes are children
Careful the path they take
Wishes come true, not free
Careful the spell you cast
Not just on children
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you
Careful the tale you tell
That is the spell
Children will listen

How can you say to a child who's in flight
"Don't slip away and i won't hold so tight"
What can you say that no matter how slight Won't be misunderstood
What do you leave to your child when you're dead?
Only whatever you put in it's head
Things that you're mother and father had said
Which were left to them too
Careful what you say
Children will listen
Careful you do it too
Children will see
And learn, oh guide them that step away
Children will listen
Tamper with what is true
And children will turn
If just to be free
Careful before you say
"Listen to me"