Day 95

Consequences of Sin

Read: 2 Samuel 12-13

The Lord sends his prophet Nathan to David, and Nathan tells him a story which fills David with righteous indignation. Then Nathan whirls around and, pointing his finger in David’s face, says, “You are the man!” (12:7). David can see a lesser sin in the life of another, but is blind to his own sin. As Jesus said, “Take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:5). We are prone to be critical of others while we excuse ourselves.

But now, confronted with the truth, David repents in sincerity and God forgives him completely. How good to know that whatever our sin, it is completely washed away in the blood of Christ if we repent and accept God’s forgiveness. But forgiveness does not mean that there will be no consequences resulting from our sins. There will be.

In David’s case, the prophet tells him that the consequences will be trouble in his household. Amnon is infatuated with his half-sister Tamar, so under pretense of illness he lures her into his bedroom and rapes her. Having done so he loathes her. Absalom, her full brother, plans revenge. He has Amnon murdered, and as a result, flees into exile.

Sexual sins are devastating to family life. Amnon’s “love” for Tamar was nothing but licentious lust. Likewise, what the world calls “an affair,” God calls adultery. Sin still produces tragic results.

PRAYER
Father, help us to teach purity of life by word but especially by example. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.