Imprecatory Prayer

As always, we seek balance in scripture to understand application of
doctrine. While it is true that much New Testament teaching, including the
Lord's examples of "turning the other cheek", "forgive them for they know
not what they do", etc. are the higher law to be practiced by Christians, we
also note examples where believers are given authority to act in an
offensive manner:

Read what Paul brought upon Elymas the sorcerer when he interfered with the
work of the Gospel in Acts 13:
 

"9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his
eyes on him,

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the
devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the
right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be
blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a
mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the
hand."

In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul record this insight:

"14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him
according to his works:

15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. {our
words: or, our preachings

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray
God that it may not be laid to their charge."

This verse is notable in how Paul, on one hand, acts in an imprecatory
manner against the coppersmith, while interceding for those who failed to
stand up for him (Paul). This same Alexander is also named in 1Timothy 1:20,
along with Hymeneus as a blasphemer whom Paul there turns over to Satan.

What appears to be a rather consistent pattern in scripture is the model of
those whom we would label "reprobate"---according to Webster, "one morally
abandoned or lost". Imprecatory action would be preceded by much
intercession, striving with and attempts to bring a person to right
standing. This was the model given by Christ in Matthew 18:7-20.

As Christians we do not curse out of personal vengeance, hatred or malice,
but strive with the person for a season until it becomes apparent that the
person will not turn from unrighteousness. It also appears that there are
special circumstances whereby we may deal with one in an imprecatory
fashion:

1.) Where the work of the Gospel is impeded and the will of God would be
opposed.

2.) Where there appears to be no repentence, contrition or desire to turn
from a path of unrighteousness.

3.) Where legal remedies are exhausted WITHOUT justice and the work and/or will of God is opposed.

In situations requiring examination of an imprecatory action it would be my
counsel to anyone to examine deliberately the scriptures and apply the
examples outline by Jesus and His followers. I believe the three points
listed above will become obvious.

One final point: during the height of the tribulation we see the two
witnesses given power that:

" ... if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and
devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this
manner be killed."

Depending on how you interpret WHO the two witnesses are, it become apparent
that the power of Elijah will be restored in some fashion to tribulation
saints (see 2Kings 2).

April 14 2006 -- Randy Maugans

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