by esther phinias | 16 July 2019 08:46 pm07
2 Samuel 12:9-14 (ESV)
Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.
David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die.
Introduction
Shalom! May the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be glorified.
Today, we reflect on a sobering truth: sin does not only grieve God, but it can also bring shame to His name and hinder His work in the world. The story of David’s fall reminds us that our actions have far-reaching consequences, both in heaven and on earth.
David’s Sin and Its Consequences
David, though called “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22, ESV), failed grievously in the matter of Uriah. Scripture summarizes his life this way:
1 Kings 15:5 (KJV)
Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
David’s sins—adultery and murder—were not hidden from God. Though he tried to conceal them, the Lord exposed them publicly, showing that nothing is hidden before Him.
Hebrews 4:13 (ESV)
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God forgave David because of his sincere repentance (Psalm 51), but He did not remove all the consequences. Nathan declared:
2 Samuel 12:14 (KJV)
Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
David’s sin handed God’s enemies ammunition to mock and blaspheme the holy name of the Lord.
The Broader Damage of Sin
We often think sin’s damage is limited to our relationship with God. But Scripture shows its ripple effects. David’s sin harmed:
✅ His family – The sword never departed from his house (2 Samuel 12:10). His sons turned against each other, and tragedy plagued his descendants.
✅ His testimony – Those who once saw David as a model of godliness now had reason to question the integrity of Israel’s God.
✅ God’s honor – As Paul warned:
Romans 2:23-24 (ESV)
You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.
Sin among believers gives unbelievers an excuse to reject the gospel, calling God a liar or His people hypocrites.
The Call to Watchfulness
The Word warns us not to take sin lightly, especially deliberate sin. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)—our lives are meant to glorify God and draw others to Him, not drive them away.
When we sin willfully and carelessly, we risk crucifying Christ afresh:
Hebrews 6:6 (ESV)
…since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
It would be better not to claim Christ at all than to claim Him and live in open rebellion:
Titus 1:16 (ESV)
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
God’s Mercy and Sovereignty
Despite David’s failure, God’s grace shone through. From David and Bathsheba’s union, God raised up Solomon—through whom the royal line continued, leading ultimately to Christ, the true Son of David (Matthew 1:6,16).
This shows us that while sin brings sorrow, repentance opens the door for restoration and God’s purposes to prevail:
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Conclusion
Let us examine our hearts. May we never be the reason others mock our God because of our conduct. Instead, may our lives reflect His holiness, drawing others to the light of Christ.
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
May the Lord help us to walk in His ways and honor His name in all we do.
Be blessed.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/07/16/do-not-be-the-reason-others-blaspheme-god/
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