In today’s fast-paced world, where material wealth and social status often define success, it’s easy to overlook the spiritual principles that truly determine the quality and direction of our lives. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, in his insightful book “How To Neutralize Curses,” brings us back to a timeless truth rooted deeply in Scripture: blessings are powerful, and how we value them can determine whether we live under a curse or walk in divine favor.
The Biblical Story: A Contrast Between Jacob and Esau
The story of Jacob and Esau, as narrated in Genesis 25:29-34 and expounded in Hebrews 12:16-17, highlights a profound contrast. Esau, the firstborn, despised his spiritual birthright—the blessing given by God—trading it for a mere bowl of stew. His short-term hunger overshadowed the long-term significance of the blessing, revealing a heart disconnected from spiritual priorities. Jacob, in contrast, recognized the power of blessings and fought to secure them, even using unconventional methods to ensure he inherited what Esau had carelessly abandoned.
THE GREATEST SECRET OF MANY GREAT MEN!
Esau is described in Hebrews as “profane,” translated from the Greek word bebelos, meaning irreligious or one who despises sacred things. His disregard for blessings ultimately left him struggling and disconnected from God’s favor, despite his later regret and tears.
Blessings: A Force Stronger Than Curses
In “How To Neutralize Curses,” Bishop Dag asserts a powerful truth: blessings have the capacity to overturn and overpower curses. In a world where generational struggles, inherited limitations, and spiritual attacks often seem insurmountable, this is good news. By intentionally seeking and valuing blessings—spiritual, familial, and communal—we can shift the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those connected to us.
- Happy Birthday to Rev. Eastwood Anaba: A Life of Faith and Service
- To God Be All the Glory: Dag Heward-Mills Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at 2025 Millennium Excellence Awards
Jacob’s blessings didn’t just provide material wealth. They:
- Made him a great and famous nation (Genesis 27:37).
- Granted him authority over his brethren.
- Sustained him through provision and favor.
These blessings created a covering of divine favor that not only reversed curses but established a legacy of faith.
- Abraham: The Man Who Walked Into the Unknown
- Corrie ten Boom: Forgiveness Behind Barbed Wire
- Labour To Become A Blessing
- Unveiling the Hidden Dimensions of Prophetic Ministry
Applying the Lesson Today
In today’s Christian life, many still prioritize material gains over spiritual blessings. We may work tirelessly for promotions, fame, or possessions, but neglect the deeper spiritual inheritance God has promised. The lesson of Jacob and Esau calls us to:
- Prioritize spiritual blessings—our relationship with God, His promises, and our calling—above all else.
- Fight for our blessings through persistent prayer, faithfulness, and obedience, rather than passively expecting God to bless us without effort.
- Despise not the sacred—whether it’s our role in the local church, our time in God’s Word, or the spiritual heritage we’ve been given.
- Induce blessings intentionally—by cultivating gratitude, sowing seeds of kindness, and aligning our lives with God’s principles, we invite His blessings to flow.
- 7 Dangerous People in Your Life: A Spiritual Warning
- Hudson Taylor: Faith That Opened China
- THE 100 YEAR LEGACY: HOW THE REVIVAL OF THEN IS IMPACTING THE GOSPEL NOW
- Top Christian Authors in Ghana
- Unveiling the Hidden Dimensions of Prophetic Ministry
- Those Who Honour You – Recognizing God’s Vessels Among Us
A Call to Action
As believers today, let’s not be like Esau, trading eternal significance for temporary satisfaction. Let’s be like Jacob, passionately pursuing the blessings that can neutralize every curse in our lives. Remember, blessings aren’t just for survival—they are for establishing divine purpose, influence, and legacy.
Let’s desire, value, and fight for our blessings. In doing so, we will not only neutralize the curses in our lives but become channels of God’s blessing to others.
