Some people commit a sin and then try to cover it up with another one. You may be one that has been guilty of such, especially if you were like most kids who sneaked into the cookie jar when you knew it was forbidden. Then when mom inquired about who ate all the cookies you quickly denied being responsible, and blamed your siblings, so you would avoid any consequence. Such is the sin nature of a child.
Growing older should mean we are wiser when tempted to take that which is forbidden. After all, we “know when things are wrong” (the Holy Spirit) and are very much aware that we will suffer consequences for making sinful choices.
Headlines today are continually exposing the sins committed by a variety of individuals. Those who have been called out probably thought they’d never get caught, but the Bible says, “…be sure, your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23). And when sin is exposed, there is a price to pay.
In II Samuel chapter 11 we read that King David stayed home one day but sent his men out to the battlefield. Later that evening, as he walked out on his rooftop he noticed a beautiful woman bathing in the pond below. He inquired about her and found out that she was a married woman, but he still sent for her and took her into his bed.
He later learned that this woman, Bathsheba, had conceived during their adulterous encounter. In an attempt to hide his sin he immediately sent for her husband, Uriah. He offered him a break off of the battle field thinking he would take advantage of the situation and go home to lay with his wife. Instead, this honorable man opted out of that privilege and camped out with the rest of the troops.
When David heard that Uriah had not gone home to his wife, but stayed on the porch with the other soldiers, he made arrangements to put him in one of the hottest battles to make certain he would die.
After that Bathsheba took time to grieve Uriah’s death. Then David took her for his wife before she gave birth to their son. There had been many months for David to deal with (repent of) his sins. but as we can see he only sought ways to cover it up.
If you have read I & II Samuel you would know that David had lived a life that was close to the Lord. He had been victorious in all of his battles because he always did what pleased God. Now, he was doing things that were unpleasing. Clearly, he yielded to fleshy temptations and didn’t take time to deal rightly with them.
In chapter 12 of II Samuel we read about how God sent David some help so he would own up to his sin.
Nathan was sent by God to tell David a story about two men in one city, one rich and one poor. He said that the rich man had a great many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up. Nathan told David that a traveler came to visit this rich man and rather than giving of his own bountiful supply, he took the only lamb from the poor man and dressed it out to give to him.
When David heard this story he expressed his anger over this rich man’s lack of pity. He told Nathan that this man was worthy of death and that he would have to make a fourfold restitution.
Nathan’s story touched David’s heart in such a way that he was able to tell him that the rich man was he. Nathan went on to reveal God’s thoughts about what David had done (vs. 7-9) and also what God was going to do as a result of his sin (10-12).
Though David may have thought he’d gotten away with what he did, since he had the power and cleverness to keep it secret, God saw everything and used His power to deal with it openly.
God did forgive David because he finally acknowledged his sin at a heart level. However, the consequences of his sin was costly. The baby born to him and Bathsheba was sickly and didn’t get to live and other things would be raised up against David in his own house. The price of sin is high.
It would have been better for David to go to battle with his men rather than to fall into temptation while idle. Given that he did fall he could have at least owned up to his sin with Bathsheba rather than to try and cover it up by killing her innocent, honorable husband. When we yield to sin, at any point, the cost is greater than we can think or imagine.
Had I owned up to cleaning out the cookie jar when I was a kid I would have gotten put into time out for a bit or maybe denied dessert at another time when everybody else got a treat. But, when I lied to my mom about where the cookies went, my consequences increased to a “lickin” with a hickory switch and I was also denied dessert at a later time.
What forbidden fruit have you eaten? For some it may be that which is practiced openly, like gossiping, and for others it may be something that is practiced discreetly, like not being totally honest with taxable income. Whether we are publicly sinning or trying to hide our sin know that your sin will find you out.
Are you ready to deal with or repent of the sin in your life or are you still trying to find ways to cover it up? Count the cost! Nip it in the bud before the Nathan’s show up because God sees everything!!!!
I pray now for all of you who, like David, have been caught up in sin for so long that it has become a lifestyle for you to cover it up.
Father, thank you for your Bible stories to show us how we can be at times. For those who are like David I ask that you would use this particular blog to speak to the core of their hearts and bring them to repentance. Bring them to a right relationship with you and if they need help, send it to them. Thank you that Your hand is not too short and that You can and will provide all that they need for life and for godliness. I also plead the blood of Jesus over each one who will receive this prayer in Jesus name.
And for those who have not sinned but are faced with temptation I ask You to strengthen their resolve. Remind them of who You are and all that You have already done for them. Help each of them to take the time to listen to You and to yield to Your Holy Spirit that will lead them to right decisions. Amen!