The Prequel to Sin, 2 Samuel 11

The Importance of the Backstory

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭14-15‬ ESV)

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭10-11‬ ESV)

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (‭Genesis‬ ‭4‬:‭6-7‬ ESV)

Text: 2 Samuel 11 – David is tempted, falls into sexual sin with Bathsheba then tries to cover his sin, resorting to cold-blooded murder when Uriah refuses to go home to his wife during battle.

Guarding Ourselves Against Sin

1. Stay busy.
2. Don’t make provision for sin.

   Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? (‭Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭27-28‬ ESV)

   Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, (‭Proverbs‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ESV)

3. Listen to counsel.

   “When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’ you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold. (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭17‬:‭14-17‬ ESV)

4. Consider the consequences.

   For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬ ESV)

   All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ESV)

Conclusion

Watch out for and pray for grace to recognize the smaller choices we make that can lead us into great sin.

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Sermon series: The Life of David: Shepherd. Poet. Warrior. Friend. KING. See all sermons in this series.