Does Someone Bring a Curse on Themselves When They Curse Another?

Many people wonder whether the Bible teaches that if someone curses another person, that curse will eventually return to the one who sent it. The short answer is yes. The Old Testament presents a consistent pattern: when a person releases a curse toward someone else, that curse ultimately comes back upon the sender. While it is not always stated in one exact sentence, the principle is clearly woven through Scripture. One of the earliest examples appears in Genesis 12:3, where God says to Abraham, “I will curse those who curse you.” Here God reveals a spiritual law: the curse directed toward another does not simply land on its target—it returns to the one who speaks it.

This same principle is reinforced in Proverbs 26:27, which says, “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; whoever rolls a stone—it will roll back on him.” In Hebrew thought, this includes curses, malicious intent, and destructive speech. What a person sends out returns to their own life. In the verse just before that, Proverbs 26:2 explains, “An undeserved curse does not come to rest; it flies back like a bird.” A curse spoken without rightful authority cannot land; it reverses and returns to its source. Psalm 109 echoes this truth. Speaking about a man who delighted in cursing, it says, “He loved to curse; let it come back on him.” In this psalm, the one who curses becomes the one who receives the curse. A similar pattern appears in Deuteronomy 30:7, where God promises His people, “The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies.” God Himself reverses spoken curses and sends them back. The story of Balaam in Numbers 22–24 is a living example of this principle.

Balaam attempted to curse Israel, but God stopped him. Not only did the curse turn into a blessing, but eventually Balaam was judged for the evil he intended. The spiritual pattern is unmistakable: the curse returns to the sender. So the Old Testament clearly teaches that a curse spoken against another person, comes back onto the one who releases it. To understand curses today, we must recognize the shift from the Old Covenant to the New. In Deuteronomy 28, blessings and curses were part of Israel’s covenant with God. It was conditional: obedience brought blessing; disobedience brought curses. However, with the coming of Jesus Christ, everything changed. The relationship between God and His people is no longer based on performance, but on grace. Under the New Covenant, the emphasis is no longer: “Obey so that God may bless you.” Instead, it becomes: “You are in Christ—therefore you are blessed.” The foundation moves from law to grace, from works to faith, and from earning to inheritance. The turning point is found in Galatians 3:13, where Scripture declares, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” Jesus took the curses of Deuteronomy upon Himself.

They did not disappear, but for those who belong to Christ, they no longer apply. This truth lies at the very heart of the gospel. Jesus did not come to curse people—He came to remove curses and restore blessing. His teaching is clear: bless and do not curse. He taught that God has already blessed His people, that there is no condemnation for those who are in Him, and that the enemy cannot ultimately harm those who belong to Him. Paul declares in Ephesians 1:3 that God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Not “will bless if we earn it,” but “has blessed”—past tense, completed reality. John assures believers in 1 John 5:18 that “the evil one cannot touch them.” And Paul triumphantly states in Romans 8:31 that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Under the Old Covenant, blessing was a reward and curse was punishment. Under the New Covenant, blessing is a gift of grace and the curse has been cancelled through Christ. If you belong to Jesus Christ, you no longer live under the fear of curses—whether from men, tradition, culture, or demonic forces.

Jesus bore the curse so that you may live under His blessing. No curse spoken against you has authority, power, or the right to attach to your life. You are covered by grace, redeemed by His blood, and sealed by His Spirit. Yes, the Old Testament teaches that the one who curses another will ultimately bring the curse back upon themselves. But for those who are in Christ, there is a greater, unshakeable truth: the curse has been broken. The blessing remains. Sermon: “FROM CURSE TO BLESSING – What Jesus Truly Did” Scripture: Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” INTRODUCTION Many Christians still live as if they are trapped in Deuteronomy 28 — afraid of sickness, attacks, misfortune, curses. But here is the GOOD NEWS: The curses of Deuteronomy 28 are NOT your inheritance. In Christ you are redeemed. In Christ you are blessed. In Christ you are free.

1. The Old Covenant: Curse as punishment for disobedience Deut. 28 gives: • Blessings for obedience • Curses for disobedience It was conditional: “IF you obey → blessing.” “IF you disobey → curses.” But Israel could not keep it. 2. The problem: Man cannot keep the Law. The Law: • Shows God’s perfect standard • But gives no power to fulfill it Romans 3:23 says all have sinned. The Law could reveal sin, but not remove it. 3. Jesus enters the story: the curse is placed on Him At the cross: • He who never sinned became a curse • He took the judgment of Deut. 28 • He took the punishment • He received the curse • You receive the blessing The Great Exchange: What belonged to you went onto Him. What belonged to Him came onto you. 4. The New Covenant: Blessing in Christ, Ephesians 1:3 says: “God HAS blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing — in Christ.” Not in the law of Moses or• In your performance but in Christ. Blessing is no longer a reward. It is an inheritance.

5. No curse can work against a child of God Proverbs 26:2 says “A curse without cause will not land.” In Christ you have A new identity • A new nature • A new position • and a new inheritance.1 John 5:18 says “The evil one cannot touch them.” You are: • Under the blood • Under grace • Under Christ • Under protection There is no place where a curse can attach itself to you. 6. How do you live now? With: Boldness, Blessing, Victory and Peace. No more fear of curses. No more fear of people’s words. No more fear of demonic attack. What God has blessed, no one can curse. CONCLUSION: The message is simple: The curse WAS before Jesus CAME. The blessing IS yours. The Old Covenant brings fear. The New Covenant brings freedom. Deuteronomy 28 shows the problem but Jesus Christ brings the solution so now You can boldly say: “I am blessed. I am free. I am in Christ. No curse has power over me.”