by Prisca | 24 October 2023 08:46 pm10
In biblical terms, a covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. Just as a legal contract outlines the responsibilities and consequences between two individuals, a spiritual covenant functions similarly. Astonishingly, the Bible teaches that human beings can enter into a covenant with death and even form an agreement with Sheol (the grave or the realm of the dead).
Isaiah 28:18 (ESV)
“Then your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be beaten down by it.”
This verse reveals that a spiritual contract can exist between a person and death a condition in which death gains authority over someone’s life. Unless this covenant is broken, death both physical and spiritual remains imminent.
It’s a common misconception that people enter covenants with death through witchcraft, evil dreams, or curses. While those may be symptoms or influences, the Bible clearly teaches the root cause: sin.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Notice Paul doesn’t say “the consequence” but “the wages” of sin is death. Sin is portrayed as a job, and death is the paycheck. When someone sins, they are effectively entering into a working agreement with death they are earning death.
James 1:15 (ESV)
“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
Thus, sin is the legal basis by which Satan (the accuser) claims a soul under the authority of death. This aligns with the idea that death is not merely a biological event but a spiritual consequence and separation from God.
According to Scripture, acts like idolatry, sexual immorality, theft, and hatred are not just moral failures they are spiritual contracts. When people persist in such sins, they establish a relationship with death.
Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV)
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Those who continue in such practices are under judgment and, ultimately, destined for what Scripture calls the second death eternal separation from God.
Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Some believe that rituals, anointing oils, prophetic prayers, or the laying on of hands are sufficient to break spiritual covenants. While such practices may have a place within the broader life of the church, they do not have the power to cancel sin only the gospel does.
The Bible is clear: the only way to annul a covenant with death is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, followed by baptism.
Acts 2:38 (ESV)
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
Repentance means a turning away from sin a total surrender of the will to God. Baptism is the public declaration and spiritual act of dying to the old life and rising anew in Christ.
Romans 6:4 (ESV)
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
When one repents and is baptized, they are no longer under the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2), but under the grace of God. The covenant with death is broken, and a new covenant is established with life eternal life in Christ.
Even if hands are laid on you, even if you attend church regularly, even if you pray often if you have not truly repented and turned away from sin, the covenant with death still stands.
Hebrews 10:26–27 (ESV)
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment…”
This is not to instill fear, but urgency. You can break free today.
Isaiah 55:6–7 (ESV)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way… and he will have compassion… for he will abundantly pardon.”
If you’re living in sin idolatry, lust, greed, deception you’re in covenant with death. But the good news is this: Jesus Christ came to destroy the power of death and offer eternal life.
John 5:24 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Repent. Be baptized. Walk in newness of life.
Let the covenant of death be annulled and the covenant of grace begin today.
Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)
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