The Secret Curse
Philadelphia Baptist Church
8/19/2007 Sun. p.m.
The Secret Curse
Psalm 32:3–4
Introduction:
These verses describe intense suffering and remind us that some of the most intense suffering is in the mind. This suffering is the result of guilt as someone has called guilt “the secret curse.” Many suffer from guilt, and we want to look at the subject.
I. The Curse of Guilt
A. It has physical effects.
1. “Bones”—body.
2. “Waxed old”—wear out, decay (Ps. 51:8).
3. Bones denotes one’s whole physical structure, the person himself. To say that one’s bones are in agony is to say emphatically that his body is wracked with pain.
B. It causes inner turmoil.
1. “Roaring”—noise of suffering.
2. Used of lion—often roars when in trouble.
3. The psalmist experienced forgiveness when he acknowledged his sin, but it came only after divine chastening. When he was silent and did not confess his sin, he was weakened physically and grieved inwardly.
C. It creates continuous conflict.
1. “All the day long.”
2. The entire day or period of time.
D. It causes inescapable suffering.
1. “Day and night.”
2. Has reference to light/darkness: no escape.
E. It creates a sense of divine disfavor.
1. “Thy hand was heavy upon me.”
2. “Heavy” has meaning of burdensome (Ps. 51:11–12).
F. It creates an inner barrenness.
1. “My moisture turned into drought of summer.”
2. “If we won’t face sin, God may dry it out of us.”
3. God dealt severely with him. The result was that his vitality (strength) was sapped (or dried up) as in the summer heat. This expression may refer to physical illness with burning fever, or it may describe in poetic language his remorse of conscience.
II. The Cause of Guilt
A. Guilt was the result of what David had done:
1. Lust
2. Adultery/Immorality
3. Deception (to ensnare/cheat)
4. Murder
5. Cover-up
B. Guilt was the result of what David feared:
1. Self-exposure—actually facing what he had done
2. Public exposure
3. God’s punishment
C. Does all guilt arise out of wrong conduct?
1. Some may arise out of failure to live up to expectations.
2. Far more arises out of what we know is wrong.
III. The Cure for Guilt
A. Confession is step one.
1. “When I kept silence”—failure to confess.
2. Psalms 51:1–5 shows full extent of confession (note how he felt about what he had done).
3. Why we don’t confess:
a. Personal pride.
b. Hope conviction will die of itself.
c. Hope that troubles will end of themselves.
d. Hope that passage of time will bring relief.
e. Hope that busyness/activity will soothe spiritual anguish.
f. Tendency to self-vindication and rationalization.
B. Repentance is step two.
1. It is some clear evidence that something has changed.
2. It is very evident in Psalm 51:17.
3. It is often the missing element in modern times.
C. Forgiveness is God’s response to us.
1. Note the obvious freedom found by David in rest of Psalm 32:5-11 (esp. vs. 11).
2. Forgiveness is a gift conferred by God in Christ.
3. Then why don’t I feel forgiven?—
a. Because of my wounded pride.
b. Because the matter is still an unsettled issue.
Conclusion:
Guilt is truly the secret curse; it does terrible things to us. It is incredibly common, caused by failing to face issues in our lives. It is cured only by confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Have you really dealt with what has caused your guilt, or are you trying to deal with the feelings of guilt without facing the issue?