Sin’s Fall Out

“The thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” —2 Samuel 11:27

    The scandalous sin of David and Bathsheba recorded in 2 Samuel 11 has received more attention than any other sin in the Bible, with the possible exception of the sin of Adam and Eve.

Sexual affairs have landed numerous Christian men who were at the top of their game on the casualty list of fallen heroes.  David’s affair is a warning to all of us lest our name be added to that casualty list.

Remember, David was a man after God’s own heart, but still fell into sin.  The lesson is obvious—No one is immune to sin. Anyone of us could fall into deep sin.  The Bible warns, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Do not think that because you’ve never committed adultery, this warning does not pertain to you.  The principles that lead to David’s fall apply to all kinds of sin, not just sexual sin.

David did not fall suddenly. He did not get up one morning and say, “My, what a beautiful day. I think I will commit adultery today!”

David was at the top of his game and strung a series of unbroken successes through the first ten chapters of 2 Samuel. In 2 Samuel he let his guard down and began to relax. Idleness does not promote holiness.  “This was the iniquity of…Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness…” (Ezek. 16:49).

Our most dangerous times spiritually, are not the hard times of life, but when things are going well and we begin to relax and let down our guard (cf. Jer. 5:7-8).  Just when we think we are the safest and let down our guard—temptation will come.

David was unfocused on God’s will for His life—Leading his men on the battlefield.  Instead, David was focused on another man’s wife.  David was in the wrong place at the wrong time—He was not where he was supposed to be.  David would have been safer on the battlefield in his armor than on his balcony without his armor!

Satan diverted David’s focus away from God.  David was not thinking about God. He was not thinking about being a man of God.  He was not thinking about his position as the leader of Israel. He was not thinking about the consequences of sin.  He was only thinking about gratifying his lust.  This is one of Satan’s most effective tactics to set us up for temptation—Take our mind off of God. Satan doesn’t seek to make us hate God—Just forget God.

The fall out of David’s sin was extensive.  His family suffered, the glow of his reign diminished significantly, unrest of war increased.  But, as bad as David’s sin was, the most tragic part is found in the closing words of 2 Samuel 11—“The thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”  Sin’s casualty list is a long one.  Sin will not only hurt you, your family, and your church,  it also brings reproach and inflicts pain on the God who loves you and died for you.

Everyone loses when we sin (except Satan!).

To watch the video of the entire sermon this devotion is based on, please CLICK HERE.