Chapter 5

Redeemed From The Curse

      At this point, we will read the Scripture that is so commonly referenced on the subject of “can a Christian be cursed?.” First we will look at it out of context, as many Christians do. Then we will look at it in its context, exactly as it is written.

Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

The out of context view of this verse makes a presumption that no born again Christian can ever be cursed because Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross automatically eliminated curses from Christian experience. Oh really?

Now, let’s look at this verse, setting it in its context. First of all in Galatians 3:1, Paul asks a question. He asks, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth?” Paul is writing to believers. Galatians 1:1-3 shows this clearly.

Galatians 3:1-2
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Even today, we receive the Spirit by faith.

Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Law equals works. Faith equals Spirit and miracles.

Galatians 3:4-5
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Many people who say that a Christian cannot be cursed because they have faith, never prove their faith with miracles. In Acts 2:22, the Scripture declares that God approved Jesus Christ’s ministry with signs, miracles, and wonders.¹⁴ God hasn’t changed. He still approves genuine ministries with signs, miracles, and wonders.

Galatians 3:6
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Flesh gives self-righteousness; Faith gives God-righteousness.

Galatians 3:7
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

The distinguishing characteristic of children of Abraham is that they have the kind of faith that results in signs, miracles, and wonders.

Galatians 3:8
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Faith equals God’s justifying, which means to make righteous.

Galatians 3:9
So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Those who are of faith, not merely associated by birth as the Pharisees believed, are the ones who have the blessings of Abraham. Verse 16 declares that the promises of God were made to the seed of Abraham, which is Christ, and to all those who have faith in Christ, like Abraham had faith.¹⁵ One of the many powerful promises of God to Abraham, which believers with faith today can also rightfully receive, is the blessing noted in Genesis 12:3

Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Notice this verse mentions both blessings and curses. We are entitled, as heirs of faithful Abraham, to have both of these two parts by faith. Thus we have the blessing that those who bless us will be blessed. And we have the promise that those who curse us will be cursed.

It is not up to us to curse others, or take vengeance. The New Testament clearly teaches that we are to bless those who curse us, and even pray for those who despitefully use us.¹⁶ If we are not sure if someone has blessed us or cursed us, or if we are unsure how to deal with a negative situation in which someone has cursed us, we can rely on God’s promise in this verse. Believing and speaking the promise of Genesis 12:3 makes it much easier for us to forgive and allow God to deal with the situation.

Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works

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