Why does it seem to be human nature to resist warnings?

In this case we have God giving King Nebuchadnezzar a clear warning.  Why doesn't he heed it?

Daniel 4:19-27(NKJV)

        Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”              Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!

        “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 

whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home—

it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

        “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’; 

this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 

They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.

        “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. 

Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

Doesn't get much clearer than that does it?  Realize that your prosperity comes from God and stop sinning. 

Does King Nebuchadnezzar listen?  Nope.  He has to go through all of the crap God warned him about just to end up right where God said Nebuchadnezzar would end up to begin with.   

Wouldn't it have been easier to simply listen and do it right the first time?

Here is the way I look at it.  If God is kind enough to give you a warning ahead of time I think it is pretty dumb to ignore it. 

Let me give you an example.  I like to work on cars and other stuff out in my garage.  I'm quite often drilling, cutting, and welding metal.  Whenever I am getting ready to do something and God whispers in my ear, "hey you better put on your safety glasses, or gloves, or whatever"; I immediately take the warning to heart, stop what I am doing and do what God suggested.

It's just another example of how God will guide your life and take care of you if you will let Him!