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Evidence abounds that many pastors, especially those in Africa just pray, teach and preach in the name of Jesus Christ, but they do not know Him, they have no relationship with Him, they have gone astray or they are not His servants at all.
Consequently, they are unable to learn from Him, live by His teachings and efficaciously preach the gospel and His words of eternal life to others in order for them to know and grow in Him.
Christ Jesus invites all His servants to have a relationship with Him, learn from Him and keep His commandments. The commandments Christ Jesus asks His children to obey do not include cursing their perceived enemies.
He Himself cursed no human being who opposed Him, disagreed with Him, insulted Him, mocked Him, arrested and crucified Him.
Therefore, Christ Jesus’ servants have no justification to lay curses on their enemies when they live by the teachings of Christ Jesus, who is the best example for Christian ministry and leadership.
It is sad that, today, some pastors in Ghana have developed a penchant for breaking bottles of so-called anointing oil to curse their perceived enemies to die or suffer setbacks in life.
Some senior pastors even heap curses on their junior pastors who leave their churches with their members to start new ones. A story is told of a young pastor, who was cursed by his senior pastor over a trivial issue at Fante New Town, a suburb of Kumasi. Today that young man roams the streets of the area, showing signs of mental disorderliness.
An ignorant Christian may argue that is the effect of the demonstration of God’s power. No, it is not. That is by the activity of the Devil who steals, kills and destroys. The God of the Christian Faith saves.
Now not only do these erring ministers place curses on people, they also teach their followers to imitate them. In offering congregational prayers, they tell their members to curse people they suspect of hating them.
They often quote 2 Kings 2:24 out of context to buttress their actions. The fact that Elisha cursed people does not mean that the New Testament servant of Christ should also go about cursing people. If every enemy must be cursed, who will be blessed and saved since everyone is an enemy of someone else?
Remember that Jesus Christ cursed a tree, but He never cursed a human being He came to save. One of the character traits of Christ which His ministers are expected to show in their conduct is forgiveness which is inspired by love.
Forgiveness is a moral quality which every Christian, especially those who occupy the fivefold ministry offices must demonstrate in all circumstances. To forgive is not necessarily to forget the offense or hurt, but to stop being angry at the offender.
Jesus Christ was offended in many ways when He walked the earth, yet He never cursed any. In Matthew 11:19, Jesus was called a drunkard, glutton and a friend of corrupt tax collectors and sinners. In John 10:20, many people said, ‘He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him.”
Then, in Mark 3:21, Jesus’ own family members insulted Him, saying, “He is out of his mind.” In John 8:48,52, He was accused of being a Samaritan and demon.
Moreover, in Matthew 13: 55- 57, people in Christ’s hometown ridiculed Him, saying, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary…? Finally, they arrested, mocked, insulted, slapped, crucified and publicly disgraced Him.
Jesus Christ suffered all these things, yet He never cursed anyone. Rather, He prayed a prayer of forgiveness for His attackers, saying, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Knowing this character trait about Jesus Christ, the first-century apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, refrained from cursing people. They had learnt from Jesus Christ.
Thus, when Stephen was being stoned to death, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).
Similarly, Paul, the apostle, writes “…Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Christian ministers are not to curse people, not even their enemies (Romans 12:14).
Again, Paul writes to the Corinthian Church this exhortation: “When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it” (1 Corinthians 4:12). And then, Peter writes, “Do not repay evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” 91 Peter 3:9).
By James Quansah
