Am I Cursed?
Reading: Genesis 4:10-16
“There is no divination against Jacob,
no evil omens against Israel” (Num 23:23)
“My husband drinks. He doesn’t come to Church with us. Our family is in shambles because of his bad behaviour. I am tempted to think that our family is cursed like that of Cain,” cries a wife. Cain’s wife might have been his good sister who believed in God but had to go along with Cain when God drove him away. She might have wondered why she had to suffer for no fault of hers.
First of all we should set our mind to the New Testament. We are not living under the Old Covenant. Even in the Old Testament, “Everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes — their own teeth will be set on edge” (Jer 31:30). We are living under the New Covenant. Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. When one person doesn’t fear God in the family, certainly the entire family suffers. But you need not throw up your hands and panic.
The first thing to do is prayer. Keep on praying in faith whether you see any difference or not. Do whatever possible to bring up the children in the fear of God. Each family member is responsible for the choices he makes, but never be slack in your responsibilities. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let him pray ... The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (Js 5:13,16).
Because of the f ami ly si tua ti on you ma y be tempted to compromise on your standards of holiness. Never do that. You are first an individual and only then a family. You will be giving account of yourself to God. So take care of yourself. Lead a life of purity in every way.
Your love relationship with each member of the family should not be changing according to their behaviour. It should be constant. Do not lower yourself to their standard of behaviour. You must always be Christlike. Jesus called His disciples as His friends. When Judas betrayed Him, he was still His friend. Jesus did not stoop down to his level. That is when the miracle of “winning over by behaviour” occurs (1 Pet 3:1). Everyone in the family must “see” the purity and reverence of your life (v2).
There is no guarantee that you will be rewarded on this earth for your purity. But you have a sure guarantee of reward up there: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Am I Cursed?
Reading: Genesis 4:10-16
“There is no divination against Jacob,
no evil omens against Israel” (Num 23:23)
“My husband drinks. He doesn’t come to Church with us. Our family is in shambles because of his bad behaviour. I am tempted to think that our family is cursed like that of Cain,” cries a wife. Cain’s wife might have been his good sister who believed in God but had to go along with Cain when God drove him away. She might have wondered why she had to suffer for no fault of hers.
First of all we should set our mind to the New Testament. We are not living under the Old Covenant. Even in the Old Testament, “Everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes — their own teeth will be set on edge” (Jer 31:30). We are living under the New Covenant. Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. When one person doesn’t fear God in the family, certainly the entire family suffers. But you need not throw up your hands and panic.
The first thing to do is prayer. Keep on praying in faith whether you see any difference or not. Do whatever possible to bring up the children in the fear of God. Each family member is responsible for the choices he makes, but never be slack in your responsibilities. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let him pray ... The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (Js 5:13,16).
Because of the f ami ly si tua ti on you ma y be tempted to compromise on your standards of holiness. Never do that. You are first an individual and only then a family. You will be giving account of yourself to God. So take care of yourself. Lead a life of purity in every way.
Your love relationship with each member of the family should not be changing according to their behaviour. It should be constant. Do not lower yourself to their standard of behaviour. You must always be Christlike. Jesus called His disciples as His friends. When Judas betrayed Him, he was still His friend. Jesus did not stoop down to his level. That is when the miracle of “winning over by behaviour” occurs (1 Pet 3:1). Everyone in the family must “see” the purity and reverence of your life (v2).
There is no guarantee that you will be rewarded on this earth for your purity. But you have a sure guarantee of reward up there: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
