It is not a good idea to create a doctrine or teaching based on a single verse of Scripture or event, much less develop a practice based on it. Generally speaking, at a minimum, there should be at least three different scriptures in true context to validate any said doctrine. Furthermore, as to practice or habit, it would be a great idea to see if there’s an actual biblical example. Of course, care must be taken not to put God in a box, so to speak. That being said, let’s address an issue that’s been around for some time: should believers curse certain people or things? Some have taken the position we have the authority to curse based on an event in which a fig tree withered shortly after Jesus spoke to it. Was that really the point, or was there something else going on?
Take your time and read Matthew 11:12-22 along with Mark’s account given here. They each give some different aspects of the same event. Here are some questions to consider as you read them. One: what is the significance of the fig tree? Two: Is there any correlation between it and the temple in Jerusalem? Three: what was the subject(s) Jesus taught after Peter called it a curse? Four: is there a record of any disciples speaking to a fig tree? Five: this is important, what did Jesus teach about cursing?
Mark 11:11-26 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple. . . And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den” . . . When evening came, they would go out of the city.
As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter *said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”
The first place in the Bible we find a fig tree is in Genesis when Adam and Eve fell. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings (Genesis 3:6). The fig leaves were used to cover their nakedness, but it didn’t change their condition. This points to man-made coverings, otherwise known as religion. It’s a false covering that produces no good fruit. It gives a false sense of righteousness and security. It’s a form of self-deception in which those who try to hide under it, find themselves blind and naked before God, especially when exposure comes.
Revelation 3:15-17 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
In one of His parables, Jesus a uses a fig tree to point to its lack of fruit. In this case, the fruit was repentance (see Luke 13:1-9). What does not produce fruit is cut down and burned. Getting back to the fig tree which Jesus spoke to: notice that our passage of Scripture sandwiches it in between His visits to the temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was of course the center of Jewish life, which was to be a house of prayer for all the nations. As religion with all its traditions and doctrines of man came through its doors, it was turned into a “Robbers’ den” (“Den of thieves KJV). Even Pharisees and Sadducees did not exist in Old Testament Scripture. They didn’t come on the scene until about the second century B.C. These were the religious leaders of the time, who were against Jesus. After He and His disciples left, Jesus prophesied that the Temple would be destroyed (see Matthew 24:1-28; Mark 13:1-23; Luke 21:5-24). In a sense, when Jesus spoke to the fig tree, He metaphorically declared the end of the old order of religion. Interestingly, He also used the fig tree as a symbol of a change of seasons or times in relation to His return (Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:22-32; Luke 21:29-33).
When Peter said, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered,” what did Jesus talk about? Did He talk about cursing? No, He talked about faith, prayer and forgiveness. So, what did Jesus have to say about cursing? Luke 6:27-28 But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (see also Matthew 5:44). Nowhere do we see in the Bible that we are to curse at all. Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (see also James 3:1-12 1 Peter 3:9). We don’t see any exception clauses (i.e. but you can curse sickness and disease, the devil and demons, etc.). That’s not to say we bless the devil or demons (we cast them out). You will not find anywhere in Scripture where Jesus or any of the disciples cursed sickness or demons. Jesus rebuked sickness, but that’s not the same as cursing. Besides, why would someone curse something that’s already cursed? The devil and demons brought the curse on themselves. Look for the example! Perhaps think of it this way, cursing is a weapon of darkness. We’re children of Light; therefore, we don’t employ weapons of darkness. Sons and daughters of God bless, which in turn dispels weapons of darkness. When you walk into a dark room, do you curse and yell at the darkness? No, you turn on the light. Darkness is the absence of light. Think about it. That means we speak healing which is blessing. When healing comes, sickness goes. Essentially, we pray against things of darkness by praying for people and situations.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
