Save My Family: Breaking Free from the Curse

Have you ever wondered why your family seems to face one crisis after another? Why does it feel like you're fighting an uphill battle against forces beyond your control? The story of Achan in the Old Testament provides powerful insights into how families can break free from destructive patterns and step into God's blessing.

What Does It Mean to Be an Ambassador of Christ?

According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, believers are ambassadors of Christ on earth. This means we represent God's character and kingdom principles here on earth. As ambassadors, we have diplomatic immunity from evil - no weapon formed against us shall prosper.

This identity is crucial when we pray "Save my family" because it reminds us that God is on our side and wants to deliver us from every form of destruction.

The Story of Achan: A Family Destroyed by Wrong Choices

The Context: Victory Turned to Defeat

After Israel's miraculous victory over Jericho, they suffered a shocking defeat at the much smaller city of Ai. Thirty-six men died, and the entire nation was thrown into confusion and fear. Joshua cried out to God, asking why this terrible defeat had happened.

The Root Cause: Hidden Sin

God revealed that someone had taken items from Jericho that were devoted to destruction - cursed objects that were supposed to be completely destroyed. An Israelite named Achan had hidden a beautiful robe, silver, and gold in his tent, directly disobeying God's clear instructions.

When confronted, Achan confessed: "When I saw among the spoils an attractive mantle from Shinar and 200 shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, I coveted them and took them."

Why Do Curses Land on Families?

Understanding Spiritual Cause and Effect

Proverbs 26:2 tells us that "like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight." A curse needs a place to land, like a bird needs a nest.

Achan provided that landing place by bringing cursed objects into his home. His family suffered the consequences not because God was cruel, but because they had chosen to align themselves with destruction rather than blessing.

The Good News: Jesus Broke the Curse

Galatians 3:13 declares that "Christ purchased our freedom, redeeming us from the curse of the law by himself becoming a curse for us." Jesus took every curse upon himself on the cross so that we could walk in blessing.

However, this benefit must be appropriated by grace through faith. We must believe to receive what Jesus has provided.

Four Life-Saving Principles for Your Family

1. God Is On Your Side

The first absolute truth every family needs to understand is that God desires good for you. He wants to bring you into the promised land - a place of provision, protection, and power to live life strong.

God is not withholding good things from you. He's the giver of the promised land, not the author of curse plans. As Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come to give you life and give it to you more abundantly."

2. Believe God's Word

Achan's tragedy began when he failed to take God's warnings seriously. When God says something is cursed or dangerous, we must believe Him. Our lives and our families' lives depend on it.

What you believe determines what you receive. Acts 16:31 promises that when you "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ," salvation comes to you and your household.

3. Don't Try to Save Jericho

Some things are devoted to destruction because God sees they hurt and destroy people. Not every treasure is a blessing. Not every promotion is truly a promotion. Not every relationship is meant to be fixed.

Achan believed all treasure was blessing, but he was wrong. When something moves trust away from God, it's dangerous. We must learn to let go of things that God has marked for destruction in our lives.

4. Choose Covenant Over Curse

Life is binary - you choose either the curse or God's covenant. In Deuteronomy, God told His people, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose life, choose blessing."

This isn't a one-time decision but a lifetime of daily choices based on listening to God's voice and building a relationship with Him.

How to Apply These Principles Today

Practical Steps for Your Family

Stop trusting worldly entertainment channels that promote destructive values. Quit listening to news sources that spread fear and hopelessness. Don't let secular institutions educate your children about morality and values without your involvement.

Instead, fill your home with God's word, worship, and His presence. Make daily choices that align with His covenant promises rather than the world's cursed systems.

The Power of Daily Choices

Achan made wrong choices in the heat of battle because he was practiced at making wrong choices in small things at home. Choosing blessing requires daily practice and repetition, not just a one-time religious decision.

Life Application

This week, examine your family's "tent" - your home, habits, and heart attitudes. Are there any "Jericho items" hidden that could be providing a landing place for curses? This might include entertainment that promotes ungodly values, relationships that pull you away from God, or financial practices that violate biblical principles.

Take practical steps to remove these items and replace them with things that invite God's blessing. Remember, God isn't trying to deprive you of good things - He's trying to save you for the best things.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What "cursed" items might I be hiding in my life that could be affecting my family?
• Do I truly believe that God is on my side and wants the best for my family?
• Am I trying to "save" or fix things that God has marked for destruction?
• What daily choices can I make this week to choose covenant over curse?

Pray with faith: "Heavenly Father, save my family. Remove every curse and establish Your covenant blessing in our home. Help us make choices that align with Your word and invite Your presence into every area of our lives."

~Dr. Stephen Marshall