13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:13-15
2 Sam 11
David remains home while his man went out for battle. Whilst there, he sees this beautiful woman bathing, he inquires about her and is told that she was the wife of Uriah. Well, the king seemed not to have heard that part because his mind had already been corrupted by his lustful desires. So, he took the woman and slept with her.
What is the effect of what we allow our eyes to see, on our desires?
How do we act in response to the “red flags” that are contrary to what we desire yet pointing us to what is right?
When desires overwhelm us and there is no one amongst those around to stop us, how can we still hear the Holy Spirit give us self-control?
When someone of a higher authority is doing wrong, is it respectful to still let them do so or even help them because you are a servant?
How can a subordinate respectfully condone bad behavior and practices done by someone superior to them especially when it will have a terrible effect on their relationship with God?
Bathsheba got pregnant and this was not good for David’s reputation, and his relationship with his men who were on the battlefield, furthermore, given that Uriah was one of his mighty men of war and lived close to the palace. So, to protect his name, David came up with a strategy, which didn’t work out as planned. Then he resorted to eliminating Uriah so that he could take Bathsheba as his wife, and her being a widow as a widow justifying their marriage also making him clean before all men. This plan worked out well as it was executed by the commander, Joab, who didn’t question the orders coming from the king, just like the servants who were sent out to bring someone else’s wife. Immediately after the death of Uriah, David married his wife and no one had a problem with it because she was a widow. But God was not pleased.
How do our efforts to protect our reputation and names affect our attitude towards confessing our sins and how we cover them?
What is the effect of trying to protect or preserve relationships with certain people who are good to us? How does that affect how we deal with the sins that may be a threat to our relationships?
What is the risk of trying to cover our own sins and redeem ourselves from the guilt, shame, and dishonor that comes with the sinful act?
When we seek to be approved of man and to please people by hiding our sins from them, how does this affect our relationship with God, who remains displeased with the sins we haven’t repented from?
If we successfully cover up our wrongs and evils, does this make our acts justifiable?
Does the process of how you get to something good matter to God? (marrying a widow was good but was the process leading to it).
God finally sent Nathan who confronted David with a parable and asked for the king’s verdict,, David rightly judged the parties that were involved, only to be told that the prophet was referring to him.
David despised the Lord for not obeying his word and his commandments. One act of disobedience was followed by even more acts of rebellion against God’s word, which David knew very well.
David had despised the Lord for not being grateful and content with what he was given. In addition to that, he had tried to provide for himself what he needed and did not trust that the Lord is able to give to him when he asks.
David had brought dishonor to God’s name and had made people blaspheme His name by his actions. He had not behaved as one who was set apart by the Lord.
How do we respond to people who point out our sins in love?
How do we respond to those who point out our sins when we don’t see their love? Does that make our sins lesser sins or justifiable ones?
Why is it easier to see the sins of others and even judge them right rather than see this ourselves? How can we work on this as Jesus also command his flowers?
As God’s children, how do our sins even those not known by people affect how people see the God who has called and anointed us?
What does God expect of us when he sets us apart?
When God forgives us our sins, what should be our attitude toward him especially when we still have to face the consequences of those sins?
As we conclude this study what lessons do we learn on how to deal with sinful desires?
Lord God help us by your Spirit overcome the desires that come through the weakness of sin which is in our flesh. We cannot by our strength overcome these, so we turn to you so that you may help us overcome these desires.