Manna Moments

⏱️3.5—4 min read

The Curse That Couldn’t Touch God’s People

“So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor… to call for him, saying, ‘Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they have covered the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.’” Numbers 22:5,6

What exactly is a curse? And can a believer actually be affected by one? Few topics stir more confusion than this one. Just as in biblical times, there are still people today who practice witchcraft or speak harmful words over others. Some do it intentionally, while others curse with their mouths without even realizing it. But the real question is: what impact do these curses have on someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

To answer that, we look to the story of Balak and Balaam.

Balak, the king of Moab, was terrified by the rapid growth of Israel—much like Pharaoh in Exodus 1. Driven by fear, he sought Israel’s destruction and hired Balaam to curse them. Balaam, however, made it clear that he could only speak what God allowed. So he sought the Lord. And every time he opened his mouth to curse Israel, blessings poured out instead.

Balak assumed the problem was positioning—“Try cursing them from over here instead”—but no matter where Balaam stood, the outcome was the same. God’s blessing over His people could not be overturned.

So what does this teach us?

First, we need a biblical definition. Strong’s Concordance describes a curse as “a pronouncement that places someone under divine judgment.” Scripture speaks often about curses, but Proverbs 26:2 gives us a crucial key:

“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.”

This truth is on full display in the Balak–Balaam narrative. No curse could land on Israel because God had not judged them. But later in Numbers 25, Israel does fall under judgment—not because of a curse, but because of compromise.

God had repeatedly warned them not to mingle with the surrounding nations lest they fall into idolatry. Yet that is exactly what happened. Their downfall wasn’t the result of witchcraft; it was the result of disobedience.

From the beginning, God established a clear principle: Walk in His ways, and blessing follows. Walk in rebellion, and you open the door to judgment (Deut. 28).

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, giving us eternal life—but obedience still matters. Our choices still bear fruit—either good or bad.

Another open door: the words we speak

Proverbs 18:21 reminds us:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Words are seeds. They produce something—either life or death. When we agree with negativity, fear, or lies, we unintentionally align ourselves with curses. But when we speak life—over ourselves, our families, our homes, and our circumstances—we cultivate blessing.

Watch what happens when you intentionally shift your speech. Atmospheres change. Hearts soften. Faith rises. Even your own internal world begins to transform.

In the end

As long as you walk in God’s ways, His blessing rests on you. His judgment—not the words of others—is what ultimately stands. And for those who belong to Him, His judgment is mercy, protection, and favor.

May His verdict over your life always be blessing.

Lord, make us mindful of our actions and the words we speak. Align our hearts, our choices, and our language with Your ways. Thank You for going before us and surrounding us with Your divine protection. Amen.