It is an unfortunate reality of our day that the doctrine of Sin has been pushed to the side and labelled as “unpalatable”. Sin should never be treated this way. Sin, in the form of a doctrine and belief, should be kept firmly before our eyes.
Does this seem strange? To some it might. Through the influence of psychology Christians have tended to “shy away” from anything that might be damaging to a positive view of self. The problem with this concept is twofold. First, it is based in secular philosophy and reasoning. Second, as a consequence, it is at odds with Scripture.
Through the fall, man became a sinner. Man is not a sinner because he sins. Rather, he sins because he is a sinner. In other words, we are not labelled because we mess up. We mess up because sin is our inherent nature.
If we jettison this belief and pay it no heed, what are the consequences? They are grave! They are dire! They are destructive!
The late bishop Ryle rightly said that we can never truly appreciate the wonders of Christ’s sacrifice for sin until we understand the depths and depravity of sin. Even as redeemed people, we should be on guard against sin and its unholy consequences. This we cannot do if we refuse to acknowledge that sin exist.
How many of us would drive a car at highway speed with our eyes closed? None! We understand that unless our eyes are open it is impossible to avert tragedy by navigating our way around obstacles. So it is in the Christian life. If we do not acknowledge sin and our inherent weakness, then we will be involved in a collision with tragic consequences.
Proverbs 14:34 states: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Whilst reading the Scriptures the reality of this text was brought home to me. I read of David’s encounter with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). It is absolutely tragic! Absolutely. Reading it brought me to the edge of tears.
Here is David. He is God’s man. David is God’s king. He has just been promised an everlasting kingdom and descendants forever upon his throne. From these lofty heights we plunge to David the Adulterer, Murderer, and Exile. David’s household is ravaged. David’s throne is savaged. David’s concubines were ravished. Why? All because David wanted to reach out to a little ewe lamb that was the property of and precious to another!
David not only sinned, but he did what most sinners do – he attempted to hide his sin thereby aggravating the situation. Scripture states: “The thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27). God could not be fooled.
This is tragic enough. However, when we analyse this episode even further, we have to ask, ‘What did David hope to gain?’ From the outset he was told that Bathsheba was married (v 3). Even though “the woman was very beautiful in appearance”, that should have made no difference. David already had wives. Consider this statement regarding David’s wife Abigail: “the woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance”. If we take Scripture seriously, we must see that David already had one wife of considerable beauty. So why did David act this way?
The answer is Sin. David had become proud and arrogant. He had taken the blessing of the Lord to mean that he could do anything without consequence. David was wrong! David found out that Sin has dire consequences. This one act of desire nearly destroyed David and his kingdom. We must also remember that the child of this illicit union died under judgement.
David made many mistakes in this episode of his life. However, they are all traceable to one flaw – David failed to heed God’s word! David disobeyed Deuteronomy 17:17 – he multiplied wives. He disobeyed Exodus 20:14 – he committed adultery. He disobeyed Exodus 20:13 – he committed murder.
What is the antidote? The Psalmist stated it succinctly: “Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee” (Psalm119:11).
As fallen creatures, redeemed by Jesus, we still suffer from the weakness of the flesh (James 4:1). To shut our eyes to this fact is to court danger, horrific danger. The Psalmist studied and treasured God’s word. That Word not only taught him of righteousness, it, by contrast, showed him sin and warned him against that path.
Friends, remember David’s fall. See the outcome of this sin. Let it be etched vividly into your mind’s eye. One false step cost David dearly. It may not have cost him his salvation, but it robbed him, his family, and his country of peace, harmony, prosperity, and blessing.
Brethren, please do not shut your eyes to sin or its consequences. Treasure God’s Word in your heart as the only means of making sure that we do not replicate David in this matter and thereby bring upon ourselves and our families great calamity because we have sinned against the Lord.
Know God. Know your enemy. Stand firm!