Lesson: Human Nature--Justifying Sin

Human NatureBJustifying Sin

David is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible. However, his life was a mixture of good and evil. His life was full of promising goals, great accomplishments, noble deeds, and great stories, yet was twisted and stained by terrible sins.

1 Samuel 13:14Bstates that David was a man after God=s own heart.

David was chosen to slay Goliath and also to be the heir to King Saul. God called this man to be a great man and he was known as the Greatest King of Israel.

2 Samuel 11:1-27 (have teens read passage)

David awoke from a nap and went for a walk. While out, he saw a beautiful woman bathing. He inquired about who she was, and was told that she was Bathsheba, daughter if Eliam, and wife of Uriah the Hittite. Being overwhelmed by her beauty, he sent for her and when she arrived at the palace, they slept together. Later, when she realized she was pregnant, she sent a message to inform David.  Immediately, David sent word to Joab (who was with the army at Rabbath) and told him to send Uriah to the Palace. When Uriah arrived, David asked about how the war was progressing and told him to go home and relax. Uriah did not return home; however, he stayed outside of the palace because he said he could not go wine and dine and sleep with his wife while the others were out fighting and sleeping in tents. David attempted 3 times to get him to go home to his wife, so David sent him back to the war and instructed Joab to put Uriah in the front of the battle and then withdraw so that he would be killed. Joab, later sent a report of the war back to David that said that Uriah had been killed. David tried to Aplay it off@ and after Bathsheba finished mourning over Uriah=s death, David sent for her to be one of his wives at the palace. Then she gave birth to his son and the Lord was very displeased with what David had done.

In this portion of David=s life, sin grew stronger and stronger in his life. It all began with one and ended in many.

1) David=s first mistake was staying home from war and abandoning his purpose and responsiblity. (vs. 1)

2) David focused on his own desires and gave in to them.(vs.3) Philippians 2:3

3) David took a step toward his temptation and did not try to take a step away from it.(temptation is not a sin, but if that temptation is acted upon, it becomes sin) (vs.3) James 1:14-15

4) David sinned voluntarily.(vs.4)

5) David tried to cover his sin by lying and deceiving others.(vs. 6-15)

6) David committed more sin by murdering Uriah to hide the truth.(vs.15-17)

7) The consequences of his sin affected more than just David.(vs.18, 26, 12:11)

8) Made others have to be apart of sin.(vs.4, 15)

David should=ve never even been tempted in the first place. He knew what sin was and what right and wrong were, yet willingly he took hold of sin and in turn, it took a hold of him. David could=ve turned back at any level of the events here, but he did not. David shows us how sin can quickly gain control over your life.

Today, we struggle with so many things. We are confused what is right and wrong and what is light and dark. Don=t be confused! The textbook of life is here for our instruction and our guide. When tempted to sin, don=t be fooled by thinking that you can get by with just one.

Just swear once, Just one lie, Just one beer, Just one........

There is no such thing as just one when it comes to sin. That one beer will turn into, well it=s only one more, and that one lie will turn into a whole story of lies to cover up for the first lie you thought would be so innocent. Many times we know what we should do but just don=t do it. Commitment to our Lord must be strong in order for you to chose God over selfish desires. The deeper the mess we get ourselves into, the more we don=t want to admit it and the more we have to do to cover up for it. Don=t get caught up in the justification of your sins and allowing just one.

Remember allowing one sin may result in more than what you expected. Sin can take control and can ruin your life and others lives. Don=t give in to your human desires and keep away from all sin.

--David was a chosen man of God and had done many things through the power of the Lord. Even with his calling and his reputation as a Christian man, he could still be caught up in sin and entangled in the things of the flesh. Today, because you go to church or you are a great Christian and have been that way for years, you still are vulnerable to temptations and sin. Even when you have been in church all your life, never let your guard down. Satan is prowling around like a lion to devour our souls. He=ll deceive you and tempt you however he can.

BIf you study the rest of the life of David, you=ll find that he did get his life straight again. Even with our great lives of sin and shame, we can always have confidence that the Lord will accept us back when we call His name. He is Faithful!

RES