When a very useful, loving, obedient and amiable person dies, folks often curse death. The deceased is already dead, and another person is dying elsewhere. Death inflicts sorrow and anguish daily. Why, then, do people curse death?
Death is a persecutor and man’s foe (1 Corinthians 15:26). To curse death, other things or persons is using one’s mouth carelessly. James wrote that with our mouth, “We bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10 NKJV).
Do you know if the deceased was taken away because of evil days ahead? “The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil” (Isaiah 57:1). Do you know if the deceased completed his or her earthly assignment?
Jesus said the mouth reveals the state of the heart. Besides, each person shall give account of how he or she uses the mouth. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34-37). Therefore, use your mouth prudently and for good things that minister grace to the hearers, realizing that judgment will come forth accordingly either for justification or for condemnation. You are called to blessings, and so, do not curse but bless always. “Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
Leave death alone! Cursing death does not alter one’s eternal situation. Do not curse death, the persecutor and inflictor of pains. Its days are numbered (1 Corinthians 15:26). By faith in Christ, be obedient to the Gospel. Do what is right in God’s sight, and salvation is sure for you. Again, do not curse anything, not even death. By cursing, you misuse your tongue. Be prudent in the use of your tongue (Proverbs 13:13; 21:23).
