September 26

Sep 26 - Today from Proverbs 26 we look at verse 2
"Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest."

This is a valuable proverb to master - and also difficult. It has much to do with the confidence of the student, confidence in his own integrity.
The curse spoken of in this verse is not some superstitious or supernatural pronouncement upon a victim of a practitioner of the occult. It is a statement made with the intent of defamation of character. It is to speak ill of another. It is as common in our culture as sliced bread. We are all prone to curse others on some level. James, writer of the book often referred to as the 'New Testament Proverbs' states it like this; "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." (James 3:9,10). That's right - James is writing to the brothers, fellow believers and members of the body of Christ. We may be saved, but we are far from being perfect. We are being perfected. Thus it is almost unavoidable to be the recipient of curses as we process life - even from our fellow saints. The personal challenge is not to avoid them, but to not be deserving of them.
There is an old secular proverb regarding a curse which says, "If the shoe fits, wear it." In other words, if someone points out a severe flaw in your character, don't be so quick to bristle and throw off the taunt. Perhaps it does fit. Nobody likes being put down and belittled, much less in a public arena. Even if the shoe does fit, the person delivering the curse is guilty of ungrace. But that does not excuse the behavior of the recipient of the curse if there is validity to the statement. It requires some active humility to overcome the power of a valid curse and regain integrity. It requires things like confession, apology, repentance and restitution. The proud will fall, the humble will be exalted.
The better course by far is to live in such a manner that the curses seldom, if ever, do fit. People may try to slander a person of integrity, but time will prove the curse to be undeserved. Living with integrity however is only half the battle. In this proverb the Teacher is encouraging the students not to react to an undeserved curse. That is why the proverb becomes difficult to master. In reacting to a malicious curse with another curse, we become drawn into a snare. We enter into an area where pride prevails and love and grace quickly diminish. We go in with integrity, and come out tarnished with residue of self. Paul writes this strong imperative in Romans 12:14, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Your integrity is of far more value than is your pride. Time will vindicate you, and the curse will not find a place to rest in the character of integrity.
Finally, do not be broken by an undeserved curse. If the shoe does not fit - don't try to wear it. Don't even hang on to it. Let it go. It becomes a curse of another kind if we allow the undeserved hurtful remarks of others to consume our thoughts or hinder our progress. Our confidence rests in Christ. If we keep that relationship vital and functioning, what others may think or say about us becomes of little consequence. Know and live who you are in Christ, and you will master this proverb.