3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me. – Psalm 51:3
Sin Struggles
In many respects, Psalm 51 is bittersweet. While we can rejoice in the penitent nature of David, we are saddened by the sin and cover-up that preceded it. How could this happen to King David, the man after God’s own heart? The man hand-picked by God to rule over His people and inspired to write many of the Psalms. Despite his position, David struggled with sin. Just like us. Furthermore, he struggled with denial. Just like us.
Feeding Lust
Some have argued that if David was at war with his army he would not have fallen into sin with Bathsheba. That may be true, but I believe it misses an important fact. David wasn’t looking for Bathsheba, he was taking a walk on his roof. The problem was David’s reaction to the inadvertent sight of Bathsheba bathing. Instead of turning around and walking away he fed his lust. Not only was Bathsheba beautiful, she was married. But David wanted her regardless. This is not the side of David we see revealed in the 51st Psalm. However, this is the side of David too many of us can relate to. This is where we could all learn a lesson from Job.
Job Lessons
“I have made a covenant with my eyes;
how then could I gaze at a virgin? – Job 31:1
Am I endorsing battling sin with human effort? Not at all. I am encouraging all of us to learn from Job the importance of not underestimating our depravity. Or, if you prefer, to not overestimate our spirituality. David may have been referred to as a man after God’s own heart, but look at the description of Job.
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. – Job 1:1
8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” – Job 1:8
Twice we are told that Job was blameless and upright. He feared God and turned away from evil. This is not Job’s evaluation of himself. These are the words of God. Pretty impressive. Job not only had a healthy fear of God, but he also had a realistic view of his own depravity.
God’s Desire
I don’t believe any of us will be perfect this side of heaven, but with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we have a great ally in our battle with sin. However, we need to be reminded of our weaknesses and limitations. God has made an unbreakable covenant with us, is it too much to ask that we might reciprocate and like Job, “make a covenant with our eyes?” After all, He wants us to be blameless and upright. He desires for us to fear Him and turn away from evil. Before we will turn away from evil, we must admit our inclination towards sin and develop a Godlike abhorrence of it. Only then will we resolve to “mortify” it as Paul encouraged us.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. – Romans 8:13
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:5-10
Sin Lessons
We may be redeemed by the blood of Christ, but we live in a fallen world. We still struggle with the flesh. We would be wise to learn from David’s sin and subsequent repentance. Look at these words of David:
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me. – Psalm 51:5
David wrote this Psalm after Nathan confronted him with his sin. In his brokenness, David confesses his depravity. He was brought forth in iniquity. In sin his mother conceived him. Every aspect of his life was affected by sin. And so is ours. Despite what our society tells us men are not basically good. To the contrary, we are born with a sin nature and an inclination towards evil.
Beware of Bathsheba!
God grant us the honesty to admit our depravity. We never know when Bathsheba will bathe on the rooftop, but we know eventually she will. I don’t know what your specific struggles are but I do know this: Bathsheba will be attractive, Bathsheba will be enticing, Bathsheba will force you to make a decision. You will not be a victim. To the contrary, you will be responsible for your decision. You may make the wrong choice like David and find yourself trying to cover up for your sins and suffering long term consequences. Or you may be like Job and turn away from evil, putting to death the deeds of the body. Either way, I am convinced that your decision will be greatly influenced by your fear of God and your Biblical understanding of your depravity.
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9