Monday, November 17, 2008

When Tangled In Sin


Background Passage: 2 Samuel 11 and 12

These chapters follow perhaps the greatest period of time in David’s kingship. Under his leadership, Israel is united after a period of civil war. The government is established in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem during intense worship. And the nations of Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Aram, Edom, Amalek, and Ammon are defeated. God blesses David and David demonstrates compassion and provides equal justice to the nation of Israel (Psalm 78:72 states that David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them). As stated in 1Samuel 13:14, God has established a king that is “a man after His own heart.”

However, things are about to change…

David’s great sin (2 Samuel 11: 1-4a)
A. Notice David was not where he should have been. His proper place was with his army in battle. However, he stayed behind. Perhaps he was growing weary of the job God had given him. Maybe things had come too easy. In any event, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time (v.1-2).
B. He sees Bathsheba (his neighbor’s wife) bathing and desire is kindled. Instead of putting an end to it right there, he begins to mull over a possible relationship or interaction with her. Scripture says that he inquired about her (v.3).
C. He not only inquires but soon his inquiries become a pursuit of her (v.4)
D. Finally, his sin is consummated. He commits adultery (V. 4). Notice that she was a willing participant. However, as we will learn, this fact is no excuse for David’s act.

Sometimes, our sin begins because we are physically not where God desires us to be. We let our guard down and improper thoughts enter our mind. We begin to mull things over and our improper desire grows. Our thoughts turn to action and our sin is consummated.

Sin often leads to more sin (2 Samuel 11: 5-17)
A. Bathsheba gets pregnant as a result of their adultery.
B. David’s response is to try to hide his initial sin. Psalm 139:11 says “surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me.” David is looking to bury his sin so that no one will know.
C. Initially, he brings Uriah back from the fighting (Uriah has been at war for his king!) and tries to entice him to go home to Bathsheba. Out of duty, Uriah won’t sleep with his wife while his compatriots are still fighting. David even tries to get him drunk but it still doesn’t work.
D. When trickery fails, David hatches a plot to have Uriah killed. Once carried out, he marries Bathsheba.
E. David thinks he’s home free. He’s fooled the people. He’s hidden his sin and no one will know.

We become good at hiding as we reach adulthood. We hide our emotions. We reflexively tell inquirers that things are “great” when asked how we are doing. And we become very good at hiding our sin from other people. Few know what our family life is really like. We are not caught in the little “white lies” that we tell. We may even be able to hide “major sins” that would bring public embarrassment or scandal. And certainly, no one knows what our commitment to our Lord is really like when no one is watching.

However, God always knows.…(2 Samuel 11:27)
Verse 27 states simply and plainly, “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” Psalm 139: 12 says “even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Unconfessed sin always has consequences (Psalm 32: 1-4, 38: 1-12)
David’s unconfessed sin has serious effects on David that are seen as we read the above Psalms.
A. He becomes physically ill (loses weight and becomes weak/exhausted. His heart pounds , he gets dizzy, and feels faint)
B. Emotionally, he is overwhelmed and his heart is in anguish.
C. His friends begin avoiding him.
D. His enemies seek to take advantage of him in his weakened state.

We must acknowledge our sin sincerely and genuinely (2 Samuel 12: 13, Psalm 51: 1-4, 10-12, 16-17 Psalm 40:1, Psalm 40: 6-8, Psalm 139:23-24))
A. Our sin is against God, not another person.
B. We must genuinely desire forgiveness.
C. We must truly desire to place the Lord back in the leadership role in our life, where ever that may lead.
D. We must be patient as we wait for forgiveness.


God will forgive us…(2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 32:5, Psalm 40: 1-3, Psalm 103: 8-13) but our sin will have consequences (2 Samuel 12: 10, 11, 14).
A. David’s heart is cleansed and restored.
B. David’s guilt is lifted.
C. David’s family will be in turmoil as a result of his sin
D. David’s son (born of Bathsheba) will die.

We must treat sin seriously and genuinely. The guilt that we carry with us separates us from God. He already knows that it is there so we only do ourselves harm when we keep it in. Make a point today to confess your sin and put the Lord back in control of your life, no matter what other people might think!

Check out the Casting Crowns video below!


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