Sin

The Nature of Sin (2 Sam. 11:2-5, 14-18, 26-27, 12:13-15) What is the source of temptation to sin? The source of our temptation unto sin is internal, born of the desires of our flesh (Matt. 15:19, Ro. 7: 14-20, Gal. 5:16-20, James 1:13-15) What can we do to help us resist temptation to sin? When tempted, we should pray for help and God will help us (1 Cor. 10:12-13) A little girl was asked how she dealt with temptation. She replied, "When Satan comes knocking at the door of my heart, I send Jesus to answer the door. When Satan sees Jesus, he says, 'Oops, I am sorry. I must have the wrong house.'" Avoid/leave situations that present temptations (Gen. 39:12, 1 Cor. 6:18) When we sin, whom do we sin against? David doubly wronged Uriah, yet the scriptures say he sinned against the Lord (2 Sam. 12:13, Psalm 51:4) How so? His actions gave “great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” (2 Sam. 12:14, KJV) In other words, he gave a bad witness. David was supposed to be a “man after God’s own heart” (Compare: Prov.6:32) David’s sin also brought great harm to his household (1 Sam. 12:10-14) Likewise, a later sin, numbering Israel, resulted in the deaths of 70,000 of his people (2 Sam. 24:1-15, 1 Chron. 21:1-14) He also brought harm to himself (Ps. 38:3, 1 Cor. 6:18) Haven’t we been set free from sin through accepting Jesus? (See: Ro. 6:15-16, Heb. 10:2629) Luther said, "The sin nature is like a man's beard. You shave and get rid of it one day, but it comes back the next."

Avoiding Sexual Sin

What are you looking at and dwelling upon? (2 Sam. 11:2, David sees Bathsheba bathing and notices that she is very beautiful, Prov. 6:25-29, The cost of desire, Matt. 5:27, to keep on looking at another with lust = adultery in the heart, Ro.13:11-14, “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”, Phil. 4:8, Focus your thoughts on what is pure and right, 2 Pe 2:14, eyes full of adultery unable to desist from sin.) Do you think of your spouse as God’s gift to you? Do you appreciate that gift? (Prov. 5:15-20, "Drink water from your own cistern...rejoice in the wife of your youth." See also: 1 Cor. 7:1-5)) Was not a great part of David’s sin a lack of appreciation for what God had given him? (1 Sam. 12:7-9) (Contrast: Gen. 39:7-9, Joseph appreciates what God has given him) What key aspect of a marriage is lost in committing adultery? Trust: it takes a long time to build, but only seconds to destroy, and once ruined, may never be fully regained. Side Question: Could Bathsheba have refused to go to David? (Ecc. 8:4)