Check The Label (4)

"Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me" .... those words rang out as we were children as a way to counter ugly things in the air directed towards us.  We may want that saying to be true and we may want to show ourselves to be invincible against verbal attack but, the truth is that negative words, some even from long ago, continue to impact our lives today. “Freak, ugly, horrible, useless, pathetic, failure, stupid, not good enough, hopeless, nerd, loser, worthless" Ever heard these words said to you or heard them in your own mind?  Have you ever spoken them against another?

Today's good news is that:  Christ set us free from the curse of the law. He did it by becoming a curse for us. It is written, “Everyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.”  Galatians 3:13 NIV



I have many jars of spices in my cupboard.  The cumin looks like the garlic.  If I put the cumin label on the bottle containing garlic it doesn't change garlic into cumin.  In the same way, even though people say ugly things, they don't change the person God has made you and I to be. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.  (Psalm 139:13-14 NIV)

For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

If we truly are who God says we are, what can we do about those ugly labels we put on ourselves?  Here's a simple process for taking away the power of those words which continue to hurt and destroy us today. 

 1. Identify Curses in Your Life

Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of any negative words, labels, or hurtful remarks that have affected you

2.  Declare The Curses As Lies

Pray a simple prayer, in Jesus’ name, rejecting all harmful words spoken over you.  Declare, by the blood of Jesus, you are set free to live in God’s truth.

3. Give and Receive Forgiveness

Ask God to forgive you for believing lies and letting them steal life from you.  Forgive anyone who has harmed or wronged you and bless them as God has blessed and forgiven you.

4. Renounce Spirits Behind the Curse

In the authority of Jesus name, command all disturbing spirits behind the curses to go.  Reclaim your freedom in Christ.

5. Fill The Empty Place With Blessing

It is God’s will that you live in blessing. Now is the time to declare the truth of God’s word over yourself.  Truth will set us free and restore us to be the creative and fruitful person God intended us to be.

Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  (John 8:35-36 NIV)

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