The past week and a half we have been following King David, great great great…. grandpa to Jesus. He was victorious in battle, courageous yet meek. He showed loyalty and mercy to King Saul when he had the opportunity and motive to kill him. He displayed a deep love and friendship with Jonathon. He seems to truly seek the Lord and have a heart to follow. He’s a master of poetry and song, able to put words to his swirling thoughts and emotions.
As we come into 2 Samuel 11, we hit a major turning point. How does this “man after God’s own heart” fall into such sin? It appears to happen slowly over time and also all at once. Just. Like. Us.
Before Bathsheba, David had married six different women over a period of time – and while this was becoming more acceptable of the time, God did not approve (Deut 17:17). This wasn’t God’s design – He always guides us in ways to help us. His laws are never to limit us, but to save us from separation from him, as well as the the pain and heartache the sin brings. In this case, the sin of polygamy and adultery.
As you read through the story of David and Bathsheba this morning, you can see the opportunities David had to avoid this temptation to sin:
- He watched her bathing – STOP LOOKING (vs 2)
- He asked his people to find out who she is – MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS (vs 3)
- He sent for her to come to him – BACK OFF, YOU KNOW SHE IS MARRIED (vs. 4)
- He has her in his house – DON’T DO IT! SHE’S NOT YOUR WIFE! (vs 4)
Lust. This self-focused sin is committed by the young and the old, the rich and the poor, male and female.
Once David and Bathsheba commit adultery, it goes downhill from there pretty quickly. Scheming, Lies, Betrayal, Murder. It started with a glance that lasted too long… and ends with how all of sin ends: Displeasing the Lord (verse 27) and consequences (I won’t spoil next week’s journal entries).
Just like David, being a follower of God doesn’t make me sinless – but it should lead me to sin less. It’s hard to understand how we can walk so closely with the Lord, see fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and then also fall so quickly into sin with big consequences.
David’s adultery had to break God’s heart – just like it breaks his heart when we sin. And as a parent, how we feel when our own kids struggle with sin.
What sin patterns can you see in your life? Can you identify what leads up to your sin? For me, it almost always starts with my thoughts. In each season of life, from childhood to now, I can see patterns of sin and how I struggled with different areas. There were seasons of dishonesty, seasons of greed, seasons of lust, seasons of pride, seasons of control.
Sin is really yuck. My sin. David’s sin. Your sin. But we can be more than conquerors through Him that loves us! Whatever sins you are struggling with today, will you join me in:
- Confessing them to God and ask for forgiveness from him
- Seek out what the Word of God says about that sin
- Write down your trouble/temptation spots and an action plan to avoid them
- Talk to another believer and build accountability and check points
- Make restitution or seek forgiveness from others impacted by your sin
- Leverage the power of the Holy Spirit and put on the armor of God through prayer
- Share your testimony of working through sin! Don’t keep your struggles in darkness.
As I look back on 38 years, it’s easy to feel like a professional sinner. I’m so thankful for the grace of the most perfect Forgiver.
