One of my favorite books in the Old Testament is the book of Job. This is likely the oldest book in all the Bible, and it addresses one of our oldest questions, one we have all asked: Why am I suffering? Why am I going through this?w

If you’re not familiar with the book, here’s a short synopsis: Job was a righteous man whom God allowed to be tested. Job faced intense loss and physical suffering, but he never blamed God. Friends advised him to confess whatever sins were causing this suffering. Job had nothing to confess, but he did have a lot of questions for God. In the end, God revealed Himself as the omnipotent God whose ways are beyond our understanding. Job chose to see God for who He is and simply trust Him.

In the opening description of Job’s righteous behavior, the writer said, “His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular practice” (Job 1:4-5).

Job was in the habit of praying for his kids. That’s my usual takeaway from this passage. I, too, should pray for my sons. And I do. It is my “regular practice.”

However, something else recently caught my attention in this passage. It’s the reasons Job prayed and offered sacrifices for his kids.

“Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.”

Here’s a nice, warm picture of a close-knit family. Did they get together for birthdays? Holidays? We don’t know the reasons, but it’s clear they looked for opportunities to get together and feast. Why in such an enjoyable, family-focused setting would any of them possibly curse God in their hearts?

I wanted to make a mental list of possible reasons a family get-together in the ancient Near East would turn into an occasion to curse God—and then it occurred to me. Any sin is a curse against God.

When we sin, we are choosing to do what we want as opposed to what God wants. God calls us to act or think a certain way, but we choose not to. Whether it’s a blatant act of murder or a subtle attitude of pride, we are thumbing our noses at God. “I don’t want you to be God, my rightful Lord and Master. I want to be my own God and determine what I will do.”

Even pride is a curse against God. With pride, I am lifting myself up over others and ignoring the One who rightfully should be exalted.

“This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration” (Jer. 9:23-24).

We should never take our sin lightly. It is a curse against God, the One who created us, knows what’s best for us, and gave us His commands and instructions so that we may enjoy and experience life to the fullest.

We curse God with our sin, and that curse comes back upon us to our eternal detriment! But Jesus took that curse upon Himself to set us free from that curse.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” (Gal. 3:13).

God takes our sin seriously, which is why Christ died. God so loves us that He wants the curse of that sin removed from our lives. When we turn to Christ, He removes the sin. He removes the curse. We are forgiven. Totally and completely.

If you have “cursed God in your heart” through your sin, turn from it—180 degrees. Repent and renew your walk with Christ.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

With an act of humble confession, we move from cursing to blessing!

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