I want to consider two stories from the Bible this morning, the first is the story of David; found in 2 Samuel 11:1-4…..The second story is that of Joseph; from Genesis 39:5-12….
In these two stories we have the perfect
example of the progression of sin; all of them beginning with the letter
“D”- Distraction; Desire; Decision; and
Deed; And, depending on the result of those four “D’s” - the Bible says, it can
lead to Death… or Life.
In both stories the “distraction” is what?
( a beautiful woman.) There are some differences however, in the two; First of
all, it says that David was in a place he should not have been; it was at a
“time when kings go off to war” but David was home! Joseph, on the other hand,
was doing what he was supposed to be doing; it says he was “about his master’s
business.”In both stories the distraction leads to a desire. That desire always being pleasurable of course. In David’s case it was a physical, sexual desire. The desire was the same for Potiphar’s wife… and may even have been for Joseph ( I don’t think she was an ugly woman…and Joseph was a man after all!) However, while both were “distracted” and had the “desire” it was in the decision stage that we find the difference. Satan will use whatever pleasurable thing in our lives - big or simple - to create a desire within us that will lead to a decision….
Whatever the desire may be, Satan will distract us, increase our desire (Our desire is increased the longer we dwell on something ) and he will force us to make a decision. In David’s case the decision was to send for Bathsheba… In Joseph’s case the decision was to RUN! The sin is not in the distraction; nor is it in the desire; the sin is in making the wrong decision that leads to the deed!
What was it about the story of David that would cause him to do what he did? “His desire for pleasure was greater than his desire to please God.” That is Satan’s tactic; to put our desire, our want, and what we think we need, before God!
In Joseph’s case we read the words: “How could I do such a thing and sin against God?” Joseph’s desire to please God was greater than his desire to sin. Joseph recognized that this wouldn’t just be a mistake; this wouldn’t just be wrong; it would be a sin against God.
What were some of the consequences of David’s decision? ( See 2nd. Sam. 12:11-18 )
What were the consequences of Joseph’s decision? (He ended up in prison! Why?.. What may have been the reason? (Protection, test and grow his faith, God had a better plan but the timing was not right…we don’t really know, and neither did Joseph. We are not always rewarded here and now for making the right decision, but we will be rewarded and blessed! Even if that reward is nothing more than a clear conscience.
What was the “objective” of Satan? – Deceive; Deny: Distort; Discredit!
Once there was a mother sheep walking through the barnyard with her lamb. It was a particularly hot day, and as they passed the pig pen the lamb said; “Mom, look at those pigs wallowing in the mud. They look so cool and happy…Let’s go over there and get cool! To which the mother replied; “Sheep don’t wallow.”
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