Very recently, I faced a difficult challenge. I was running a good race of faith, until Satan decided to cut in and throw a challenge at me. I received shame and insult for my faith and needless to say, it left me feeling disgusted and discouraged. That’s when I read some Bible verses from a totally different perspective. And it dawned on me that as a Christian you cannot use your tongue to curse. Your enemies may curse you and for a season, the Lord may allow them to oppress you. But remember beloved, they may curse us- use black magic, witchcraft or any other way to harass us, try to delay our blessings, to oppress us physically, but they can never break our spirit and corrupt our soul. With our faith in Jesus, we will always overpower the enemy. Simply because we do not fear Satan and are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Cor 2:11

Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ Isaiah 41:10

One very fundamental difference between disciples of Jesus and others is the mannerism in which we respond to insults. I have read Holy Bible cover to cover and realised that pronouncing curses is not for us. Even using our tongue to speak ill about our enemies is not biblical. Then what should we do?
Here is my learning– “Follow Jesus way” Isaiah 57:3 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself]; Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, So He did not open His mouth. If you are not there as yet where you can bless, it’s ok. Ask more grace. But don’t curse!

What I did? Initially, I was very hurt. I went into a season of prayer and fasting. But harassment kept its pace. I humbled myself by labouring more in the Lord, increasing my acts of righteousness, making confessions etc. But what I did wrong all the while was that I was abusing and cursing them. Though, I realised it and cried to the Holy Spirit for help, deep hatred had found its way into my heart and at times I wished terrible things for them.
How I did course correction? One day, I couldn’t take it anymore, I cried so much at the altar. Tears just won’t stop. And then I noticed that as I lay my burden at the feet of Jesus (as in talk about my pain and shame with the Lord, every bit of it) my strength got renewed and the poison drained out. I felt lighter and happy. So, I decided to let my tears do the intercession for me instead of reacting to their harassment by showering a volley of abuses. And whenever they harass now, I respond differently. I kneel down and seek the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit restores my soul and cleanses me. And my peace comes back.
Now, every time, shame and harassment comes my way, I know the way out – not cursing my enemies as a payback thing.

Beloved, I have learnt that this spirit world in which we are now living, is not a level playing ground. Satan will keep persecuting us for our faith and throwing challenges at us. But we cannot respond back the same way. We are bound by the fear of the Lord to follow the Jesus way. May Holy Spirit grant you wisdom to understand this blog and strengthen your inner man so that Christ may reflect through our character and specially in speaking mannerism.

May the Holy Spirit lead you from strength to strength in this new month of June. Psalm 84:7
Shalom!