“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
1John 1:8
We live in a society were many people don’t believe in sin. Anything goes as long as it’s not murder or anything too brutal. As long as it doesn’t infringe on their lives too much.
Personal values and principles of what is right and wrong have superseded any Godly or spiritual standard in the world, and we can accidentally bring those values into our new life in Christ Jesus.
In 2 Samuel chapters 11 &12 we read about David and Bathsheba.
In these scriptures we find the causes of David’s sin.
Disobedience…
2 Samuel 11:1 tells us he did not go out to war when he was supposed to.
Temptation…
2 Samuel 11:2 says he saw a naked woman, and he did nothing to fight his lust to have her.
In the New Testament, Jesus says that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28
Let’s continue as things went from bad to worse for David.
David ended up lying, committing adultery, and committing murder.
He would live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
His first born by Bathsheba died. His two sons Amnon and Absalom died violent deaths. David was not allowed to build the temple.
Sin opened the door for the Devil to work in David’s life.
In 2 Samuel 12:7-12 we see the consequences clearly.
Financial blessing stopped in v8, the doors were open to a spirit of violence , it brought a curse in v11… ‘I will raise of adversity against you’.
David was exposed to public shame in v11-12.
And a spirit of infirmity and death came upon his family in v14.
When David came under conviction his response was clear.
v13, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’
Whilst he knew he had devastated Uriah’s family, he understood that his greater sin was against the Lord.
We see his response and support in Psalm 51 and his reflection of this time in his life in Psalm 32
“Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty.”
Psalm 32:2
Honesty is the first step in confession and repentance that leads to forgiveness.
If I am not prepared to be honest and transparent, if I choose to hide or deny sin, then I will not experience the joy of God’s complete forgiveness.
In Psalm 32:3-5 David is describing the effect his sin had on him.
- Emotionally, he was weak and miserable, groaning all day, with no joy.
- Spiritually, he felt the heavy hand of Gods discipline.
- Physically he felt weakness and groaning.
- Financially he felt drought, which represents financial lack.
Once repentance had taken place there was a complete change in David. He experiences forgiveness in v5, protection and deliverance in v6, and a new song of joy in v7.
I believe that sin affects us in similar ways, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
What else does the Bible have to say about sin and it’s consequences?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Galatians 6:5-8
If we don’t deal with sin, the seed of evil will grow.
Admit sin and the seed of holiness will grow.
Eve spread her sin by involving Adam in it.
- They experienced SHAME and they hid from God.
- They felt FEAR because they had a guilty conscience.
Their close relationship with God was gone after they sinned.
Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, and the serpent didn’t have a leg to stand on!
- Sin pretends to set us free.
- Sin gives the promise of being in control – just do it.
- Sin feeds our personal desires, – just do what you want
- Sin brings enjoyment, excitement, danger, thrill – without responsibility.
- Sin reveals the child in us – areas where we haven’t grown up.
- Sin brings consequences.
- Pain
- Guilt
- Shame
- Division
- Brokenness
- Separation
- Lawlessness
- Indebtedness
- Addictiveness
- Embarrassment
- Relationship problems at various levels
- Feeling an outcast, alone, isolated, and weak.
- Injustice to others as they are punished for your sin
Sin gets a response. Either…
- Denial, avoidance, evasive words and actions, more sin like lies to cover up, deceit, revenge, feeling pain, feeling fear, needing to escape, to hide.
OR - Acknowledgement, confession, expression in some form – putting our hands up. A reparation process to somehow deal with the damage we have done.
But there is another way. Moses chose it, and we can learn to choose it too!
“He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.“
Hebrews, 11:25
Confession is not saying SORRY. Confession is openly admitting ‘I DID IT’
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.“
James 1:12-15
Can I ask you to take some time this week to to ponder your response by reflecting on your life?
Take a few minutes to ask God to reveal any sin which you have to deal with, then obey him.
Recognise where sin has had consequences in your life. Spend time repenting and renouncing any unresolved sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.
Ask God for strength to live the life He’s called you to Live. And to live in freedom.