Sin is something that we don't usually see the effects of right away. And because of this, we think that we can get away with it. There's a story in the Bible that shows the progression of a sinner and his willingness and desire to commit the sin, but also the consequences.
David, the man after God's own heart was tempted. And he fell prey to this temptation because he made provision for the sin.
2 Samuel 11:1- And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
David made a provision for sin because he wasn't where he was suppose to be. The king was suppose to go with his army to the battle. He is the leader! But, he sent his army and he stayed home.
2 Timothy 2:22- Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Because David had made a provision for sin, he was now in a place for the presentation of sin.
2 Samuel 11:2- And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
David went outside and was walking around on his rooftop, when he saw a woman bathing. David could have looked away, but instead, he found himself staring at the temptation.
Job 31:1- I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
David had plenty of wives. He could've walked into his house and fulfilled his desires in the right way. But he just kept staring, allowing the temptation to overwhelm him until he convinced himself to give in to the pursuit of sin.
2 Samuel 11:3- And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
God had now just given David an out. He told him that she was the wife of one of his mighty men. This should have reminded him that he was in the wrong place and after the wrong thing!
Numbers 32:23- But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
How could David think that he could keep this thing a secret? Did he really believe that no one would find out?
David had his servants bring her to him. He gave in and committed the sin of adultery, and then sent her home thinking he had gotten away with it.
No, this would become the publicity of sin. Bathsheba was expecting David's baby.
2 Samuel 11:6- And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
David came up with this idea that he could still get out of paying the consequences of his actions. He was going to get Uriah to come home and give an update on the battle. Then, Uriah would go home and be with his wife. When she had the baby, Uriah would think it was his child born early.
That is the power of sin. It makes you think you are invulnerable to it's consequences. It makes you think the price tag isn't that much. You're pretty sure you can get away with it.
But, what happens when your plans don't work out? What happens when the man you cheated is so honorable that he sleeps outside the castle gate rather than go home to his wife?
David stoops to another sin- murder by the hand of the enemy. Sin had the power to defile the man after God's own heart.
2 Samuel 11:17- And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
David's plan didn't only kill Uriah. There were other casualties. Other people paid the price for David's sin and deceit.
1 Corinthians 6:19- What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
The Israelites, just like every saved person today, belong to God. David not only killed one of his mighty men and some of his own soldiers, but he killed God's people.
He was about to find out the pain that sin can cause.
2 Samuel 11:27- And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
David thought he had gotten away with adultery and murder. He thought everything was okay now that he stepped up and married her. But, he didn't make the sin right. He didn't nullify the effects of disobedience to God just because he took Bathsheba in after the fact.
Zechariah 13:6- And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Uriah was one of David's top 30 mighty men. He would have willingly given his life for David's. But, that didn't entitle David to Uriah's wife. David wounded his friend, and that's what makes the penalty of sin even greater.
2 Samuel 12:12- For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
Nathan the prophet came to David and told him the penalty would be four fold, because the sin was four fold.
It gave the enemy an occassion to blaspheme the Lord (2 Samuel 12:14). It would give the ungodly comfort in knowing that even David, the man after God's own heart, would do like them and therefore they would be less likely to repent. It caused disease in David (Psalm 38) which could be passed on to his other wives and concubines. And it destroyed Israel's chance at having peace (Isaiah 57:21).
A four fold sin would have a four fold punishment.
2 Samuel 12:6- And he shall restore the lamb four fold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
David paid four fold.
The baby that Bathsheba had died.
His daughter, Tamar, was raped by her half brother, Amnon.
Amnon was killed by Tamar's brother, Absolom.
And finally, Absolom tried to take the kingdom. David had to flee with his wives and his children. A battle broke out between David's army and Absolom's army. And David's son, Absolom, was killed before David could safely return home.
You see, sin's price tag isn't always visible. You may think you know what consequences you will pay for the sin you seek to commit. You may assume that the pleasure of sin is worth the payment. But, you will never see the curve ball that sin will throw at you after you commit it.
It's always best to avoid the position of being tempted by sin. And if you find yourself in that position, remember, God always has an escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) if you're willing to take it.
