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Should The Christian Worry About 'Cursed Objects'?
By Christian Darland
Can certain objects be possessed by demonic forces? Do I as a Christian have to be careful of such objects? Can 'cursed objects' cause me spiritual problems? What about 'cursed objects' I don't even know about in my home or work? Should I search my home for objects that might be causing me spiritual problems?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
Much of contemporary Christianity believes that certain objects or people are very 'linked' to the demonic realm in some way. According to this belief, contact with these people or objects (even casual or unknowing) can invite disaster into your life. They will become a 'curse' to you. If you involve yourself with these people or these objects, you are inviting demonic activity into your life.
BIBLICAL BASIS?
Contrary to contemporary thought, there are very few references to 'cursed objects' in the Bible.
Probably the most well-known incident of 'cursed items' is in the story of Achan in Joshua 6-7. The Israelites were dealing with their first conquest of the Promised Land, Jericho, heading for Ai next. A single Israelite (Achan) disobeyed God's command to not take anything from Jericho as plunder (6:17-19; 7:1, 11-12, 20-21). Achan had lusted after Jericho's wealth, even though God said it was 'accursed,' and not to touch it: the money and valuable vessels were to go into the Lord's treasury, and everything else was to be destroyed. Achan brought a cursing on Israel (7:12), but that cursing came from God. Was this stuff in Jericho 'accursed' before God said it was, or only because God said it was? Was it accursed because it had all been used in some pagan religious worship? If so, why would God let the Israelites have all the plunder from subsequent conquests? God was asking for the first-fruits of their invasion of the Promised Land, and Achan's greed brought God's curse on himself, his family, and all Israel.
Before this incident with Achan, in Deuteronomy 7:23-26, the wandering Israelites are given instructions for when they were to finally conquer the Promised Land. "O Israelites," He says, "when you start conquering the land, don't take any of their idols into your house, or lust after the gold or silver of the idols, because you will become cursed like the idols," (paraphrase). God is the One mentioned in counting those things cursed.
In Deuteronomy 13:12-18, the Israelites are given instructions for when they were to settle the Promised Land. If a city in the new nation at some point turned their backs on God, the rest of Israel was to destroy that city, and not take any of that city's stuff - it was accursed (by Who? God!).
* In Deuteronomy 7, would they be cursed because the land and everything in it was cursed for destruction? Thus, like Joshua 6-7, the curse on the Israelite would be from disobedience?
* Would the Israelites be coming into their new homeland and taking these idols as 'good luck charms' or in honor to these gods?
- They would be cursed there because they were believing these false gods, and would be wandering away from the one true God.
* They were liking it and wanting the things they saw in the Promised Land, but why?
- For religious purposes?
- For artistic qualities (though they weren't supposed to be like the Canaanite world)?
- For financial gain, trusting in their own abilities rather than God's promises to provide?
Whatever the case, it seems like it is God that is bringing about the cursing and blessing, not some demonic, mysterious object.
OTHER REFERENCES TO A CURSING:
In Deuteronomy 28:15, 20, God warns of a progressively severe cursing on the Israelite nation for disobedience (also, a progressively abundant blessing on the nation for obedience). At times in the Old Testament, God talks about 'having given up' Israel unto this curse for their disobedience. Note, however, that it is God doing the cursing, and God giving up to this curse.
Numbers 22-24: Balak hires Balaam to bring a curse on the wandering nation of Israel. Balaam wasn't able to curse whom God had not cursed (23:8). Instead of cursing, all Balaam was able to do was bless Israel
God is the One bringing effectual curses and blessings to those who curse or bless Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel, etc. "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you," He promised to Abraham and his offspring.
In the New Testament, Paul talks to the Corinthians about eating meat sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1). He tells them not to do it, but not because if they do, demons will enter and control them. The reason he gives is so that they wouldn't offend another's conscience. Paul isn't worried about the 'incredible controlling power' of demons here, but the offended conscience of another. He even says that it's not that big of a deal to eat this meat that has been devoted to false deities if they didn't know where it was from. This perspective is very different than that espoused by some in contemporary Christianity.
THE CHRISTIAN DOES NOT NEED TO WORRY ABOUT 'CURSED OBJECTS'!
* Christ's encounters with the demonic realm in the Gospels were not to show how powerful the demons were, but to show how powerless they were. Still they are powerless except as permitted by God. Satan doesn't have random power that God can't control.
CAN WE OPEN OURSELVES UP TO DEMONIC HARASSMENT THROUGH CERTAIN THINGS WE HAVE?
* YES...do we have these things 'just in case' God's power doesn't work? For good luck? For protection? For blessing?
* YES...do we 'lend credence' to the enemy by believing certain things have good or bad power? Do we give him opportunity or a foothold by believing his lies?
* Are we putting something else as MORE IMPORTANT or MORE TO BE BELIEVED than God?
* 'Giving the enemy a foothold or opportunity' through belief is different than 'guaranteed demonic infestation and control.'
I think we Christians believe in 'cursed objects' because we don't want to believe that our choices and our sins are the cause of some of the bad stuff in our lives. That's blame-shifting, and it's what Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden in not admitting their sin. We also don't want to believe the clear New Testament teaching that believers are going to go through fiery trial; not everything is 'peaches and cream' for us, even though we're on God's side now.
Copyright (c) 2005, Christian Darland
About the Author
Christian Darland has taught at a Bible college for 7 years. He sees plain Biblical answers for many of the questions in the arena of spiritual warfare. We need to think Biblically, not just experientially! His new book is available at http://ResistingTheEnemy.com.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/11985.html
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