Casting curses

​The people of GOD do not fully understand the power and authority they carry. Jesus said to His disciples (His true servants) at Matthew 28:18.
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​“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (NIV).

​What did Jesus do with that authority? At Luke 10:19, Jesus says
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​“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (NKJV).
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Here, the Greek word for serpents is ophis (G3789). In general speaking, ophis refers to a snake or serpent. But in ancient times, the serpent was an emblem of cunning and wisdom. Therefore, figuratively speaking, a serpent is an artful malicious person, whose goal is to deceive. Similar to what Satan achieved with Eve in the Garden. (See Genesis 3:1-6).
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The Greek word for scorpins is skorpios (G4651). Figuratively speaking, a scorpion denotes a wicked person. For example, the prophet, Ezekiel, depicts a scorpion this way. 
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​“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels” (NLT).
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​The Greek word for ‘the enemy’ is echthros (G2190). Echthros is defined as men who are at enmity (hate, estranged, or hostile) with GOD by their sin. This is the type of person that is described at Acts 13, verse 8. It reads
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​“Elymas, the sorcerer… interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing (NKJV).
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Elymas was a Jewish magician and false prophet who ran into Apostle Paul during his first missionary tour. As Paul and Barnabas preached to the people that reside in Elymas' region, there were many men present who were intelligent and a part of the proconsul’s court. Many powerful men were intrigued by what Paul and Barnabus were teaching. Afraid of their presence and that he (Elymus) might lose his influence over Sergius Paulus, one of the intelligent men present, Elymas spoke against Paul. Elymas was concerned because men like Sergius Paulus had close connections with the proconsul. He recognized, if Sergius Paulus was persuaded by what Paul and Barnabus were teaching, then the proconsul might be influenced by their teaching as well. Therefore, Elymas spoke against Paul and Barnabus to sway the proconsul from the faith.

Once Paul recognized what Elymas was doing. Paul turned his attention to Elymas. With much boldness, Paul said to Elymas. Because he opposed the truth of GOD, “… the hand of the LORD is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time” (Acts 13:11, NKJV).
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Did you see what Paul did there? Before we answer that, turn to John chapter 14, verse 12, and note what Jesus said to His disciples. 
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​“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works….” (NLT)
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​Now, let’s answer that question. As we saw, Paul cursed, condemned Elymas for coming against the gospel – the truth of GOD’s word. For attempting to prevent others from hearing and receiving the gospel. Even Gamaliel, a Pharisee and an expert in religious laws warned men like Elymas. He said to his colleagues who had rosed against Peter and the apostles for preaching the gospel. 
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“... Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered. So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown” (NLT).
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SIDEBAR: Now be mindful, the men that Gamaliel warned, in this case, were brothers, men of faith just like Peter and the apostles. In this season, IF men and women are not careful, and they attempt to come against men and women who have been vetted by GOD (not by men but by GOD), Gamaliel’s warning applies to you. This kind of protection does not apply to men and women who THINK they have the seal of approval from GOD. This applies to those GOD has handed picked for HIS specific purposes. 
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Let’s personalize this

It’s important that we as sons and daughters of GOD grab a hold of this. (I’m not talking about children of GOD but sons and daughters of GOD. There is a difference). GOD has given us, by means of HIS Son, Jesus Christ, ALL AUTHORITY AND POWER to ‘… do the same works…’ as Christ ‘… even greater works’ (John 14:12). This includes casting curses on those who try to impede us in presenting the gospel. Go back to Acts 13, starting with verse 9, and read that again. 
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​Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
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‘Immediately!’ ‘Immediately,’ Elymas loses his ability to see. He was blinded by the words of Paul for trying to impede the work of Christ. The Scripture said, that Elymas would not be able to see ‘the sun for a time’ (v. 11). It is safe to assume that IF Elymas repented, his sight could be restored. But until then, he will no longer be able to hinder the works of the LORD through those He is using. For Elymas had to seek others ‘to lead him by the hand’ (v. 11). 
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​Lesson for us

Don’t give up or hand over your power to the sons or daughters of the devil – those who are full of deceit and fraud. In this season, we cannot be afraid or even hesitant to use the authority that the LORD has given us. And this includes casting curses on those who try or oppose the preaching of the gospel.