To Curse or not to Curse, that is the Question

Most of us know the inward agitation caused us when someone takes the Lord’s name in vain or otherwise curses in some way.  And society continues to worsen in it’s expletives and even the more “subtle” cursing of the higher tech crowd’s OMG, etc.  But have you ever thought how Jesus must’ve winced at times, even around His disciples?   Their’s was a more moral society (at least outwardly) where no one would dare profane the name of God out loud but nonetheless cursing and less than sinful attitudes certainly were just as commonplace as in our day.

Remember how James and John wanted to “nuke” (present day slang) the Samaritans because those people had ill treated them as they journeyed through their town? Luke records them asking Christ, “Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?”  And Jesus’ response was “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them !”  (Lk.9:54-56).   How ticked we can become at times when someone “disses” us and long for the power of God at our beck and call as Elijah was given to show our enemies immediate justice !  But since that hasn’t been granted us, we can kill them with icy stares, hold grudges and withhold our fellowship, we in effect curse them in a way that we believe pushes their buttons the best.  Yet what we need to bear in mind is what Jesus says here, namely that our mission in life as we are cursed and have our feelings hurt is not to lash back and curse them more but to understand what He was trying to convey to us all: people are sinners and the remedy is not sin back but save !

It will take the grace of God but you must allow yourself to be bigger than the burdens you incur. You must see past the symptoms of sin to the solution for the soul of whatever “Samaritan” has cursed you !  Have you gotten caught up in a vicious cycle of sin and forgotten you are an ambassador for Christ?  Do you know another believer who has become embittered and one by one their relationships have soured because they want immediate justice ?  Pray for them and look to the Lord as the pacesetter of forgiveness and salvation !  Allow the same love that Christ extended even to sinners around Him to be manifested to those around you, especially those who curse you !!!