The Anatomy of a Sin

2 Samuel 11-12

One sin has many

parts.

Gen 3:6.

Several things come together:

If the serpent hadn’t been in the Garden, Eve likely would not have sinned.

If Eve hadn’t found the tree good for food.

If Eve hadn’t found the tree pleasant to the eyes.

If Eve hadn’t found the tree desirable to make one wise.

Think about your own life.

2 Samuel 11-12 Let’s dissect David’s sin

Part One of David’s Sin: Charm, 2 Sam 11:1-2.

David stays behind when his soldiers go out to battle.

We do not know why David didn’t go to battle.

David cannot sleep and walks out on his roof & sees Bathsheba bathing.

Part Two of David’s Sin: Craving, 2 Sam 11:3-4.

David’s temptations turns into lust.

“I can’t keep the birds from flying over my head, but I can prevent them from building a nest in my hair”—Martin Luther

Part Three of David’s Sin: Conspiracy.

Notice how David involves others:

He “sent and inquired about the woman,” v 3.

“David sent messengers, and took” Bathsheba, v 4.

After Bathsheba sends David word that she is expecting:

David has Joab sent him Uriah the Hittite, v 6.

David tries to cover his tracks and send Uriah down to his house, vv 8-13.

David sends a letter to Joab by way of Uriah that Uriah is to be placed in intense fighting and everyone else is to retreat that Uriah might die, vv 14-21.

Part Four of David’s Sin: Cover-Up, 2 Sam 11:27.

After Bathsheba has time to mourn for her husband, David takes her as his wife.

Part Five of David’s Sin: Confession, 2 Sam 12:13.

He understands that he has ultimately sinned against God.

He no longer seeks to cover up his sin.

Part Six of David’s Sin: Care, 2 Sam 12:15b-17.

David has great grief because of his sin.

One sin has many

parts.

We must seek to put away sin from our lives.

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin” (1 Jn 2:1).

Jesus “Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Pet 2:24).

Let’s think of ways

David could have

kept himself from

killing Uriah.

David could have avoided temptation.

He had two opportunities to avoid temptation.

We need, as far as depends on us, to avoid temptation.

Yes, Satan is relentless.

“Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8).

Don’t put yourself in a situation where you know you will be tempted.

David could looked for a way out of his temptation.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).

Commit to taking God’s way of escape.

David could have surrounded himself with better people.

In their defense:

David is the king, and you don’t refuse what the king says.

Those carrying out David’s instructions may not have known the full scope of what he was doing.

We need people who will help us.

“Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor 15:33).

The opposite is just as true.

Heb 3:12-13.

Surround yourself with people who will help you spiritually.

Do you stand in need of confession this morning?

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another” (Js 5:16).

Do you have great grief?

Jesus will remove that grief: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28).