The Power of Blessing and Cursing in the Bible: What Your Words Can Do
- Chad Fisher
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 12
By Pastor Chad Fisher, sharing biblical insights to inspire and strengthen your faith and relationship with God.
Words Have Real Power. Words are not empty. According to the Bible, they carry spiritual weight. They can bring life or death, blessing or cursing. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture teaches that words are creative, destructive, prophetic, and binding.
This post explores how the power of blessing and cursing works in the Bible and how you can align your speech with God's purpose.
Blessing and Cursing in Genesis
In the beginning, God blessed His creation: “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply…’” — Genesis 1:28 (ESV)
But after the fall, God also pronounced curses: “The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock…’” — Genesis 3:14 (ESV)
From the first chapters, we learn: blessing speaks favor into being; cursing releases judgment.
Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” — Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
The Book of Proverbs teaches that your words are not neutral. They carry consequences. Blessings bring healing, truth, and peace. Curses tear down, harm, or bind.
Examples of Blessing and Cursing in the Old Testament
Jacob and Esau: “By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” — Hebrews 11:20 (ESV)
Isaac’s spoken blessing had prophetic power. Once given, it couldn’t be revoked (Genesis 27). This shows how blessings are declarations with lasting spiritual effects.
Balaam and Israel: “Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.” — Numbers 23:20 (ESV)
Balaam was hired to curse Israel—but God overruled. You can’t curse what God has blessed.
Jesus Taught Us to Bless, Not Curse
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44 (ESV) “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” — Luke 6:28 (ESV)
Jesus flipped the script. Instead of returning evil for evil, He commanded His followers to respond with verbal blessings.
The Power of the Spoken Word in the New Testament
Jesus cursed a fig tree and it withered: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. … And it withered away to its roots.” — Mark 11:14, 20 (ESV)
This wasn’t petty—it was symbolic. Jesus demonstrated the authority of spoken words under God’s power.
The apostles continued the pattern: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” — Romans 12:14 (ESV) “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” — James 3:10 (ESV)
How to Speak Blessing Instead of Cursing
Here are 4 practical ways to bless with your words:
Speak Scripture over people (e.g., Numbers 6:24–26).
Encourage with truth about their identity in Christ.
Declare God’s promises in prayer.
Refrain from gossip, slander, and despair.
Guard Your Tongue: A Daily Choice
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up…” — Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” — Psalm 141:3 (ESV)
Use your voice for blessing, not bitterness. Don’t curse what God loves. Don’t speak death where God wants to bring life.
Want more insight on how your words shape your life?
Are you using your words to build or to break? Ask the Holy Spirit today to help you be someone who blesses and speaks life.
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