​Proverbs 26:2 and its place in the Christian’s spiritual warfare #1

Vicki Goforth Parnell 2-13-25

​

Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

What does this verse mean?

​

Wandering Bird: A bird that wanders may change direction frequently, making its flight path appear somewhat erratic. But it also has a smooth rise and fall pattern sometimes called a bounding flight pattern. It’s characterized by short bursts of rapid wing beats followed by brief glides with folded wings, creating a somewhat bouncing or wave-like movement as it searches for food while traveling across an area. So there is a curse that can be sent out that is not a direct attack on someone, a circumstance or an object. It’s randomly sent out. 

The Swallow: When the swallow sets itself on a course they fly straight, direct and almost non-stop to where they are going and travel very fast. Even eating in mid-air and this way it doesn’t cause any delays in the swallow's flight. So there is a type of curse sent out that is sent directly to a person. 

 

Why am I mentioning this? All witchcraft attacks are sent out like fiery darts of the enemy to try to get some form of agreement and they do this by some form of communication. Meaning it’s ill-spoken words with an intent to harm which can be through voice, thoughts, binary codes, sign language and such like. But we are talking about something being sent in the spirit realm. It’s a spiritual attack and not a physical one the enemy has launched at us through witchcraft or by fallen ones and nephilim who attack directly.  This verse tells us that we don’t have to accept a curse or an attack that is sent against us. We can reject it and send it back through the power of Jesus Christ’s Name and with our faith. 

 

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

What happens when we use our shield of faith? According to Ephesians 6:16 it quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked referring to all the kingdom of darkness. So it's our faith that quenches or puts out the fire of the dart but what happens to the dart itself? When something is thrown or shot at a person in a warfare battle they will instinctively swing to raise their shield to deflect and protect them from the weapon. When this occurs the dart is deflected and sent back toward the sender in one way or another unless you’re really good at aiming where you want to return the dart to go. If you have enough time for  that kind of action. This is the same principle behind this verse Proverbs 26:2.

 

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

I call this type of prayer  in the spiritual battle a return to sender and these types of prayers are part of our battlefield warfare strategy and protection against the spiritual war we are in. As warring Christians our offensive and defensive attacks are being sent to the root cause in the spirit realm and not the actual physical person or sender. These are either the demons or fallen angels that order the attacks. When you pray and send the curse back to the sender it goes to the spiritual sender involved. Then God takes care of the physical ones in His just ways of vengeance.

 

When the enemy sends a curse, an attack Proverbs 26:2 shows us as a war tactic: you repel it, you reject it  and it gets sent back. It doesn’t get sent back to the physical person involved but to the demon spirit or spirits that sent it. Once the attack is rejected or sent back what happens to the person sending the curse is between the demon & them and whatever vengeance Father God wants to happen to them. The same God who is called love is the same God called Lord who is called a man of war. 

Exodus 15:3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

​

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

 

Let’s examine this further through the Word of God. Here are some of the verses that are presented in adversity against praying for the curse, the attack to be sent back to the sender.

​

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

​

Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

​

Matthew 5:38-39; 44

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

​

Jude 22-23

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

​

Romans 12:17-21

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Please realize that all of these verses tell us the rules of engagement with the enemy in our physical realm. They tell us how to live and co-habitat with the wicked and ungodly people. There is a separate set of rules for spiritual warfare wherein we fight against the rulers of darkness principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

 

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh 

 

The concept of praying to send, to reject the curse, the attack is purposely meant to repel any spiritual attack coming from human or demonic enemies instigated by the kingdom of darkness  against a true Child of God. It is a defensive mechanism through which a believer prays in Jesus Christ’s Name and asks God to return every evil intention of the wicked back to them. These Prayers are made to counteract, counterfeit, demoralize, disconnect, and dismantle every wicked intention of the enemy against the child of God so that it backfires and returns where it came from. Proverbs 26:2 prayers are for Christians who are under satanic attack or trying to pre-empt any attack on them from the dark kingdom. We have to take all Scripture into context and not just a few verses. Different circumstances require different actions sometimes. 

 

The Word of God has strictly instructed all children of God to pray without ceasing. It also tells us in the Scripture of Truth that the devil is roaming about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  Who could this one be that the devil wants to devour? Could it be anyone who is prayerless hence defenseless in the face of evil. Who doesn’t know how to fight, laying bare and naked to the devil and his kingdom chewing and ripping them apart. To this effect we are urged in the Word of God to resist the devil and one of the means to resist him is through the sending back these attacks by prayer in Jesus Christ’s Name. Our Prayers can checkmate, neutralize, obliterate, and annihilate the kingdom of darkness’ activities aimed at the Kingdom of God and against believers. Spiritually, when we pray the prayer of “return back to the sender” is a spiritual warfare prayer to reverse every evil verdict against our lives and send it back to the sender.  The demons spirits behind it and not the sender of the attacks in our physical realm

​

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

​

1 Peter 5:8-9

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

Praying and using Proverbs 26:2 return to sender or send it back because you reject the curse sent by not accepting or agreeing to keep it is an option and does not disobey the injunctions of Jesus Christ which states that we should love our enemies and pray for them. Loving someone is not acting in stupidity to allow them to destroy you. This is not what He meant when He said we should love our enemies and pray for them. Loving them means reaching them with Gospel of Christ so that they might repent and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; while praying for them includes that we ask God to convince them through the Holy Spirit’s conviction to believe in the message of God; for conversion is by Spirit not by flesh (Acts 2:22-38). Again this is for our physical walk and how we are to engage with the unsaved and the enemy. Not how we are to engage when fighting in the spiritual warfare we are all called to be in when we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and He becomes our Lord and Savior.

​

Our actions are different in the spiritual realm than the physical. 

 

In our spiritual warfare we fight with a sword. 

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We defend and counter attack with our shield of faith.

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

We have prayer: 

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

We have the authority and the power of Jesus Christ’s Name.

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 

Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 

Luke 10:19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

These are just a few of our weapons we possess as the redeemed Children of God in our spiritual warfare and as you can see it is war, a real battlefield and not a turning of the other cheek.

 

Concerning Christians sending curses or using weapons against our enemies.

Even though the Word of God tells us to forgive all and bless those that curse us and many still dispute this, the Word of God does show examples of children of God who have uttered curses against the ungodly even in the New Testament.  I’m going to present some situations and verses from the Holy Word of God that show both have their place in the Christian’s walk but only when led by the sweet Holy Spirit to do so. Remember Jesus Christ is our example then followed by the rest of the writers who followed His leading and instructions through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

 

Jesus Christ & Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot was the enemy of Jesus Christ who was the treasurer in His earthly ministry. When Jesus Christ knew that he was the one to betray Him, He never prayed for Judas to repent, instead He cursed him calling him son of perdition (eternal damnation or hell) Jesus Christ knew already that Judas had chosen the part of destruction by making himself the enemy of God instead of choosing the part of salvation. 

 

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

 

By this we see Judas is cursed and non savable by the name Jesus Christ called him. In the next we see where Jesus Christ instructed His disciples to buy a weapon. If He allows self-defence with a lethal weapon in the face of persecution, why wouldn’t He allow it spiritually in the return to sender prayers/Proverbs 26:2. If we’re supposed to turn the other cheek every time then why did Jesus Christ say this?

Luke 22:35-36

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

A sword is a lethal weapon and in this verse Jesus Christ affirms lethal force in self-defense. 

 

Ruling with a rod of iron and breaking into shivers is not turning the other cheek. 

Jesus Christ is speaking here.

Revelation 2: 26-27

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

And He quoted from Psalms 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. For those who think the old Testament is irrelevant in our warfare. 

Blessings removed:

Matthew 10:11-15

11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.

13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

 

Shake off: Strong’s G1621 ektinassō : to shake off so that something adhering shall fall; by this symbolic act a person, expresses extreme contempt for another and refuses to have any further dealings with him; to shake off for (the cleansing of) one's self

 

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: by this symbolic act a person expresses extreme contempt for another and refuses to have any further contact with him.

Verses 14 & 15 are actually a judgment so it is a curse that Jesus Christ has spoken. 

So we see through this a Child of God can release a blessing and can also remove one which shows there is a time when we don’t always bless our enemy’s or those that are despiteful to us. This again is spoken by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior Himself. Our example to live by physically and spiritually which shows us at times there are exceptions depending on the circumstances involved. But all must be done through the leading of the Holy Spirit who if we follow will lead us when to do these types of things or when not Because he is the Spirit of Truth.

John 16:13-14

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

 

But let's look further into the New Testament since it is in the New Covenant of Grace that this type of action is considered ungodly not in accordance with the Word of God. In these verses listed below we will see that even the godly can issue curses.  Even though vengeance belongs to God we see that we are instructed to have a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Meaning in my understanding when you are living a fully submitted holy life in obedience to the Word of God with Jesus Christ and sweet Holy Spirit’s help at times you may be called to do this but only if led by the Holy Ghost or Jesus Christ to do so.  

2 Corinthian 10: 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Examples in the New Testament where curses are spoken by Holy Ghost filled leaders

1. Paul wrote an irreversible curse calling all who preach a false gospel let him be accursed not once but twice in Galatians chapter 1.

Galatians 1:7-9

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

​

Accursed is Strong’s G331 Anathema definition:  accursed, bind under a great curse.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon: a curse; a man accursed, devoted to the direst woes; execrate

Archaic meaning of execrate: curse 

Mid 16th century: from Latin exsecrat- ‘cursed’, from the verb exsecrari, based on sacrare ‘dedicate’ (from sacer ‘sacred’). This reminds me of what David prayed in the book of Psalms when he said, “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” Psalms 69:28. It’s ironic isn’t it that the same people who argue these types of desperate prayers are ungodly don’t seem to realize or haven’t searched the Scripture to see the many times Jesus Christ Himself quotes from Psalms including chapters with these types of prayers by David. If they are so wrong, then why would He do this or even allow them to be written and placed into the written Word of God? Just saying.

​

Peter has the same attitude toward false brethren : 2 Peter 2:12-15 calling false brethren and those leading the church astray as cursed children. Which actually is the same attitude John had also in 2 John 9-11.

​

Jesus Christ issued woes of judgment toward those in leadership in Matthew 23:13-39. This was simply an invocation of God’s righteous judgment upon those fighting the Kingdom of God or a declaration of curse upon the enemies of God. The question is why should Jesus declare woes upon these instead of blessing them or praying for them to repent? That’s something to pray about and to study out further as the Lord Jesus Christ leads.

Verses 14 & 15 are actually a judgment, a curse that Jesus Christ has spoken.

1. Paul again to the false brethren misleading the Galatians and trying to enforce circumcision as a necessity to be redeemed. 

Galatians 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

​

Cut off is Strong’s G609 apokoptō definition: to amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts) to cut off.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon:  I would that they (who urge the necessity of circumcision would not only circumcise themselves, but) would even mutilate themselves (or cut off their privy parts)

​

We can understand how Paul is led sometimes to be so bold, direct and sharp at times because everything he does is for the preservation of an unaltered gospel of Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

1. Peter issues a curse to Saphira when Annanias and she agree to lie to the Holy Ghost.

Acts 5:9-10

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

 

1. Peter issues a curse to Simon the Sorcerer.

 

Acts 8:17-24

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

 

1. Paul asked the Lord to reward the coppersmith for his evil actions against him.

2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

 

1. The martyrs in Heaven under the altar asked or petitioned to be avenged.

Revelation 6:9-10

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

A simple reminder to us all.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

A back to sender prayer is defined in this paper as a counterattack prayer or supplication made to God seeking or appealing to God to repel and counteract every evil scheme or evil attack of the enemy against the righteous servants of God to return to them. But those who still want to argue it’s sending a curse upon someone we now see that even a curse can have its place in the mouth of the holy and can be issued upon someone as the Holy Spirit or Jesus Christ leads.

 

Related verses in the Old Testament 

Psalms 141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

Psalms 69:22-28

22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Jeremiah 11:20 But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

Jeremiah 15:15 O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.