The understanding of the power of the spoken word is important for understanding both curses and blessings.  Isaiah 55:10-11 shows us the word has power of its own once released from our mouth.  Genesis 27:18-41 shows the power of a blessing even when the blessing is mistakenly given to Jacob rather than Esau.

    The power of the word, whether a curse or a blessing, seems to be given its power when spoken aloud--God is the only one who can hear your thoughts (Ps 26:2; 94:11; Mt 9:4).  I have not found anywhere in the bible that talks about the devil being able to hear our thoughts.  The devil has no power over our thoughts unless we give it to him.  Matt. 15:17-19 shows us the condition of our heart determines our thoughts.   We then have the choice to put our thoughts into words--thus giving them power.  Whether we bless or curse, is up to us. 

    As we all know mankind started out with a blessing and ended up with a curse (Gen 3:14, 17; 4:11; 5:29) and then God promises Abraham “that all people on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3).  Some of the examples of the different kinds of blessings in the Old Testament are:  family blessings, where the father blesses his wife and children (Gen 27:27-29; 49:25-26);  rulers {government} ( 2 Sam 6:17-18; 1 Kings 8:14, 55); spiritual leaders (Gen 14:19; Lev 9:22; I Sam 2:20-21); and blessings from the Lord (Deut 10:8; 21:5); greater individual blessing the lesser--Melchezidek to Abraham (Gen 14:18-20; Heb 7:6-7) and Elijah to Elisha (2 Kings 2:9-14);  a blessing of special favor as prosperity and success (Deut 28: 3-8); and an invocation of God’s blessing:  “May God almighty bless you and make you fruitful” (Gen 28:3; Num 6:24-26; Ruth 2:4).  In the Old Testament God also blessed the obedient with affluence and victory (Deut 28:1-14) and  cursed the disobedient (Deut 28:15-68) with drought, disease, and disaster.  We can also bless God as David did in Psalms (103: 1-2) “Bless the Lord, O my soul....”

     In the New Testament the blessings seem to be more on the spiritual blessings rather than the material blessings.  God’s promise came true to Abraham (Gen 12:3) with the person and the work of Jesus Christ (Gal 3:8-14) for “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written:  “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” (Gal 3:13). The blessings also come in the form of forgiveness of sin (Rom. 4:6-9).  Believers are blessed with “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph 1:3).  We as christians are to be a source of blessings to the world even to those who persecute us (Luke 6:27-28; Rom 12:14; 1 Cor 4:12).  New Testament blessings are used to bless an individual by God’s favor:  Jesus (Mark 11:9-10); children (Mark 10:13-16); Mary (Luke 1:42-48); the disciples (Luke 24:50); those who have not seen but believed (John 20:29); and those who endure trials (James 1:12; 5:11). The greatest and most hopeful form of blessings came from Jesus in the form of the Beatitudes (Matt 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-22).  And now the good news!  There is a time when the curse will end, “No longer will there be any curse” (Rev 22:3).  And we will  be blessed forever (Rev 22:7)--“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” 

   
    Think about this story of a Great Grandmother who would pray a blessing over her children every day.  The children grew up healthy and blessed.  Having children of their own, they also prayed over their children, but there was one child who evidently thought God and blessings were not important, she did not pray a blessing over her children.  Out of that one act of rebellion her children received the spirit of rebellion, and out of that came a pregnancy out of wedlock.  Her life was evidence of the void of God due to her rebellious choices, and it was being passed down to her children.  In time she realized that a life without God was not a life she wanted to live, and returned to the Lord and started praying a prayer of blessings over her children, God honored those prayers and began to bless the family of a now righteous prayer.


    I think the greatest way we can bless others is by the evidence of Jesus Christ living in our life day by day.  Truly living the Christian life, not just talking but doing (James 2:17).  Being bold-- knowing when it is Jesus speaking through us or it is just our selfish nature showing up.  We can also bless by deeds we do for others.  Pray for others, live a life of truth and honesty, never have any others gods let alone put any other god before the one and only God--work, family, money, etc.  Put Christ in the center of everything you do--that is everything you do-- and let others see that Jesus is the center of your life, marriage, and family.  Learn what worship is and let the spirit of God take over.  Worship is not singing a song, it is attitude that starts on the inside and works it’s  way out to spill on God.  It is very personal between you and God.  Great things happen during worship, I've seen more healing take place during worship than any other time in ministry.   Last but the most important is the one on one relationship with our Father.  Quiet times, reading His word, being obedient, listening to His voice, are just a very few ways to grow closer to God.  Always be thirsty for more!!!!! 

    Now, be a blessing to others, it will surely come back to you.