1. Overcoming Words that Curse You're so clumsy. You'll never amount to anything. You'll never change. You're going to be just like your mother...You'll never find anyone to love you. I wish you were dead. I wish you'd never been born. You always...You never... etc.

2. The Story of Balak and Balaam Num. 22&23 Israel is heading for the Promised Land through Moab after being in the desert 39 years. Numbers 22 (4b-12)So Balak, king of Moab, 5) sent messengers to call Balaam son of Beor, who was living in his native land of Plethora near the Euphrates River. His message said: Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and are threatening me. 6) Please come and curse these people for me because they are too powerful for me. Then perhaps I will be able to conquer them and drive them from the land. I know that blessings fall on any people you bless, and curses fall on people you curse.

3. We Have Protection Through Covenant Numbers 22(12) But God told Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!” Num. 23 Listen, I received a command to bless; (8 ) But how can I curse those Who God has not cursed Num. 23 (20-21) Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it! 21) No misfortune is in his plan for Jacob; No trouble is in store for Israel. For the LORD their God is with them; He has been proclaimed their king. 22) God brought them out of Egypt; For them he is as strong as a wild ox. 23) No curse can touch Jacob; No magic has any power against Israel ( In Jesus we are spiritual Israel) Deut.23 (5) Nevertheless, the LORD your God was not willing to listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you.

4. " No curse can touch Jacob. No magic has any power against Israel"

5. Review the Curse What is the source of the words? As you review the words others have said to you in light of the Word of God, ask: “Is this true? Does it agree with what God says?” You will never have enough! Philippians 4(19) And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. You are hopeless! Rom. 15 (13) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. You are worthless! 1 Peter 1(18-19) Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19) but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. It takes five positive words to nullify one negative word!

6. Renew your mind. (You have the power to change it) Phil 4(8) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Proverbs 23(7a) For as he thinks within himself, so he is. “ Science is finally catching up with the Bible," Dr. Caroline Leaf. Researcher in cognitive neuroscience and author of: Switch your Brain On

7. Replace Lies With His Truth (The 5 R method) Curses only have power over us if we believe them. If they're not true, they are powerless. When we believe them, we invest power in them. Make a choice to reject words that do not line up with God's Word. 1. Repent -change your mind 2. Renounce - resolve to stop believing the lie 3. Rebuke - you have authority to resist the enemy 4. Restore - ask the Father to restore the truth of who you are 5. Receive- by faith believe that God will honor His promises

8. Repent of any word curses you have spoken to others. Christians' words should only be a source of blessing James 3(8-10) But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way James 4(12) There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? Understand that your words DO have power! Proverbs 18(21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

9. Reverse the Curse Through Blessing Psalms 129 (28) let them curse, but you bless ; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, But Your servant shall be glad. Luke 6(27-28) ''But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.'' (Jesus) Romans 12(14&17) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. Col 3(12-14) 12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

10. Practice Being a “Blesser”(the power of N.T. prophecy) Practice speaking blessings to others. Be proactive. Look for opportunities to bless, validate, and encourage. Speak blessings not only to others, but also about others. (Don’t forget to speak blessing over yourself.) Give specific blessings—personal and appropriate. Don't just think it. Say it—now! Don't wait for the funeral. There are many everyday opportunities to bless. Words of blessing cause growth, give hope, and bring healing. Blessings turn hearts toward the “Blesser”,the Father of Light, Who has every good and perfect gift for them. Words are powerful, and death and life are in the power of the tongue. When we curse, demean, diminish, or belittle with our words, we speak lies—satan's language. When we speak the truth of God's Word into people's lives, we bless them. Take every opportunity and be a blessing through the power of our covenant in Jesus. Amen!