We repent not to be forgiven, but because we have been forgiven.
Several years ago, armed robbers visited the church premises of a famous Nigerian bishop and attacked some banks there. The bishop was greatly offended, and he cursed them. He directed his church members to pray that the wrath of God would be visited on the criminals.
He also cursed kidnappers operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He asked God to kill them all. He said: “We place a curse on their roots wherever they are, and we pray that thunders of heaven will strike, and the judgment of God will come upon them.”
Later, the bishop also descended on the Fulani herdsmen after they killed a member of his church. He led the members of his congregation in a fiery prayer saying:
“Except I am not sent, their end has come. Fulani demons, in the name of Jesus their end has come. God curses and I will curse. Jesus, release your curse upon these wicked men. The Holy Ghost curses: Paul, full of the Holy Ghost, looked at that demon called Elemas and released a curse upon him and he went blind the same time.”
“Holy Ghost, release your curse on these wicked men. They just crossed the red line. Some 42 children, not even adults; they were mocking Elisha. Elisha turned back and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and destroyed 42 of them. For mocking the church of Jesus Christ, I decree your destruction now. Any authorities or personalities backing you, their generation is cursed.” Nobody dares a lion’s cub when the lion is awake. And in the name of Jesus, whose I am and who I serve, every gang of men from within and outside the country responsible for sponsoring these wicked men, I curse your roots forever.”
“Everybody stand and release curses praying in the Holy Ghost. Release the curse of the Lord, the curse of Jesus, and the curse of the Holy Ghost upon these wicked men. From their beginning to the end, release the curse of God upon them. Cursed art thou and your generation after you. Cursed be these Fulani herdsmen, cursed be their roots, cursed be their strongholds, cursed be their generation.”
He ended this “prayer” by saying: “In the name of Jesus Christ we have cursed.” And his people said: “Amen!”
Response to hatred
This is not the way of a true disciple of Christ. According to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, sons of God love their enemies and repay evil for good. They do not swear or curse. They do not go to prayer meetings to curse others.
Jesus says to His disciples: “All men will hate you because of me.” (Matthew 10:22). “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:20). He even forewarned us about the thinking of the Boko Haram: “In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” (John 16:2).
Nevertheless, He says: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:44).