Denying Guilt = Pride = Curses

The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. [Proverbs 3.33]

If we look at Deuteronomy 28, we can see clearly what circumstances are classified as curses and what circumstances are classified as blessings. The distinctions are very clear; basically this: suffering, loss, and pain are curses. Thriving, gain, and health are blessings.

Only in "religious" circles does the distinction between blessings and curses become blurred. Why is that?

The reason "religion" has been at the forefront of 'muddying the waters' of blessings and curses is because of pride. I know this all too well because I myself deal with this particular kind of pride. It is pride that says, "I have done nothing deserving of the curses I am experiencing." The problem with this statement is that no man can know his own heart!

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? [Jeremiah 17.9]

No human being is qualified to declare himself innocent. How could one deem himself innocent if he is incapable of knowing his own heart? It is impossible. In fact, the ONLY way a person can know sin is present in his heart is by curses inflicted on him.

In other words, if circumstances promote suffering, loss, and pain, one can safely conclude that sin is afoot and therefore must be repented of. The wise servant of God will immediately and HUMBLY go to prayers of repentance when curses are encountered. The foolish servant of God will deny guilt and that is how false doctrines are born and perpetuated.

Not enough can be said for the importance of humility before a Holy God (the story of Job makes this crystal clear)!

Suffering, loss and pain are good. BUT! They are good for a PURPOSE! That purpose is REPENTANCE. It is not ironic that the following valuable information is found in the same chapter of Proverbs as the opening verse above:

My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. [Proverbs 3.11-12]

One might argue, "If what you are saying is true, then we'd be repenting all the time!" One might indeed make that argument, and one would make it correctly! We should be so sensitive to repent! We should be so humble! But, will we?

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. [2 Chronicles 7.14]

Father, I repent for my wicked and deceitful heart. I know it is at the root of the suffering in my life. I know my deceitful heart harbors bitterness and pride, lust and greed, and I know this because of the suffering I experience. Forgive me for ever questioning You and Your goodness, when all along it is and has been my wicked heart that has brought suffering and curses on my life.