Abandoned

Proverbs 22:14 (KJV) The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

It seems to be saying here that some people have been abandoned by God.  In the NASB "cursed" is the word.  This would imply that before the temptation is even in front of us God has already given up on us.

What would cause that to happen?  We know that when we watch His patience with Israel that it takes a lot to make God turn against you.  Is it possible that some people, like Israel, think they can take advantage of their specialness, and flout God?

I repeat a thought I had a while back, and that is that when God chooses to curse someone, it isn’t necessarily an active curse as much as the removal of the protections that He has in place around His people.  So when a person who is defying God comes up to a situation where they would normally be used to having divine assistance, God has withdrawn His Holy Spirit and they fall into the trap.

So?  God is long-suffering.  He puts up with a lot of nonsense from us.  In spite of that, or because of it, I would suggest that we not get in the habit of pressing our luck.