Pretend that I go to the store and buy a big new beautiful dry erase board. (can dry erase boards be beautiful?) It’s a massive 8 feet long and is shiny bright white. The only problem is that is was a returned item. The problem? It has one 1” black spot right in the middle. I invite you over to see my new dry erase board and I place it against a wall in my living room and place a chair right in front of it for you. As you sit down to admire it, what would be your honest comment? Well, if you’re like me, your eyes would immediately be drawn to the spot. More than likely you would say, “that’s a beautiful dry erase board…is that a black spot right in the middle?” In great irony, the comment would not be about the 99% of perfectly white board, but the 1% that was blemished. Folks, so is the power of sin in our lives.
To say that 2 Samuel 11 is a powerful chapter is quite the understatement. The chapter perfectly and emphatically holds the power and temptation of sin within its pages. It charts the path of sin from its origination to its fulfillment. It shows the ravaging effects that sin can have not just upon the life that commits it, but the many lives that surround that sin. And the chapter places a single black spot in the middle of a life that previously had been mostly beautifully white and clean. Of course, I’m speaking about David and Bathsheba.
If I were to ask you to write down 2 major events in the life of David, I bet I could guess them. Goliath and Bathsheba. The answer truly shows the power of our dry erase board analogy. Most people do not see David’s righteousness before the Lord. They do not recall his deeds as a great and good king. They do not see David twice refusing to kill his enemy, King Saul, even though God had delivered him into his hand. We do not think of his grace and mercy to Mephibosheth. We do not think of him honoring his covenant with Jonathan for the rest of his life. Sadly, the great expanse of white board in David’s life is eclipsed by a single black spot. The power of sin to label a life is immeasurable.
You more than likely know the story, it’s one of the most known in the Bible. David, for whatever reason, has chosen not to go to war with his mighty men of valor as he always has. Why did David stay behind? I think David was getting really comfortable. He had a nice new royal palace of choice cedar wood that God had given him. He was now king and had all the benefits. Servants, good food, comfy bed, and big screen TV with Netflix. Why leave and go back off to war with his men? I mean war is hard. You fight all day, sleep on the ground, and eat beans out of a can. Oh, and also, you might die. It’s much easier, more convenient, and more comfortable to stay at home and rest easy than it is to venture out and serve God. This is a tremendous problem we face in our world today, especially in America. We are blessed with great comfort and convenience and like it or not, it becomes a god to us. Big houses, comfy furniture, luxury cars, hi-def TV's, high speed internet, and enough toys and gadgets to choke a dog. When your nest becomes too comfy, why leave the nest? David found himself at home and content. As a result, he was where he didn’t belong. He should have been where he had always been and where God wanted him, on the battlefield leading his men.
We’re told that one afternoon he is pacing on the rooftop of his palace, more than likely nervously wondering how his beloved men are faring in battle. On this walk he is looking down and surveying his kingdom. And as he does, he sees her. Bathsheba is bathing, naked, on her rooftop. Now folks, Jerusalem in 1000 BC was primitive compared to today, but they were still civilized. There was no reason for an adult married woman to be bathing in plain sight, on her rooftop, in the middle of the day. I’m not taking any blame away from David, but hello. Bathsheba went to great lengths to get herself noticed. There are countless women today that cause themselves a lot of trouble because of immodesty issues.
But there she is, dressed only in what God gave her, and David takes notice. A lot of notice. Folks, here is the foundation of the lesson. David looks. And continues to look. He stares. If it were a cartoon he would have to roll up his tongue. And as he focuses on her, his mind begins to spin up to speed. Sin takes a little time to get going, it needs a little help and a little fuel. The beginning of sin needs to be fed. And David feeds it by taking it all in. He keeps his eyes on Bathsheba until that sin breeds lust. And then that lust breeds action. And by then, it’s all over. Our sin calls us into its quicksand until we are neck deep.
David sends for Bathsheba and she willingly comes to the palace. She must have known she could be seen on her rooftop from the royal palace. If David could see her, she could see him. Maybe that’s the reason she was bathing there in the first place. Regardless, she ends up getting pregnant and sin does what it always does, ensnares and complicates lives. The rest of the story plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy as David purposefully sends her husband off to battle to die on the front lines. One sin creates a black spot that will define David’s life, even 3000 years later. Never underestimate the power of one sin in your life.
Folks, today, sin is out there. It is attractive, it is beautiful, and it is in plain sight for you to stare at. Especially in our world today, you can see seductive and provocative images everywhere. TV, internet, billboards, magazines, movies, even on the phone in your pocket. Just the other day while writing one of the 5MC’s the Bible software site I use had extremely questionable ads of women on their home page! (Doesn’t somebody check that stuff) The point is, it’s out there. There is no question you will see images that are not healthy for you. The question is, how long will you look. David could have turned his head and his body and walked back inside. But he didn’t. He stared. He took in the image and let it sink deeply into his psyche. Until the image bred thoughts. And then the thoughts bred actions. Friends, don’t let your eyes settle on sin. Flee from it as if your life depends on it…because it does.
Today, keep your eyes on Jesus. He will clearly alert you as to what you should be focusing your eyes on. Listen to Him and obey Him. Remember, as a follower of Christ your life speaks volumes. It speaks to your family, it speaks to your friends, and it speaks to your neighbors. It speaks to your co-workers, it speaks to your church family, and yes, it even speaks into your own soul. Speak loudly into the world today. Speak by living a life that refuses to settle your eyes on sin.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 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 1:13-15
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