By Dean P
It was in the news again today, another minister fell into sexual sin, damaging those around him. I heard a leader in this denomination describe this as a “catastrophe” not only for this man’s family, church, but the ripples will be felt far beyond that.
Leaders, like all of us are not immune from temptation, their falls are more public than most who fail, we can learn from the mistakes of those before us now, and who have gone before us.
I am reminded of the story of King David. In the ancient kingdom of Israel, King David was celebrated for his bravery and leadership. The Bible calls him a Man after God’s heart. But even someone as strong as David could stumble, his story serves as a powerful reminder of how unchecked desires can lead us down a dark path.
It was spring, while other kings were off leading their armies into battle, David found himself restless, lingering in the comfort of his palace. He wandered onto the rooftop of his grand home, taking in the sights of his kingdom. That’s when he first saw her—Bathsheba, bathing in the sunlight on her rooftop. Though I don’t believe it was the first time David saw her on this roof, although the Bible does not say, the human condition of sin and how it evolves leads me to believe he saw her before. We don’t know why David stayed behind from War, but I thought back to times my sin kept me from being where I needed to be. Surely she was beautiful, and David couldn’t look away. He had likely seen her at royal events with her husband, Uriah, but this moment was different.
I imagine as the days went by, David couldn’t shake the image of Bathsheba from his mind. The more he thought about her, the more consumed he became. His responsibilities began to fade into the background as temptation took hold. He eventually decided to send for her, unable to resist the pull of his desire.
When Bathsheba arrived, everything changed. In that moment, David made a choice that would alter the course of his life. Their encounter led to Bathsheba discovering she was pregnant, and panic set in for David. To cover his tracks, he called Uriah home from battle, hoping to create the illusion that the child was his.
But Uriah, ever loyal, refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his comrades were fighting. Frustrated and desperate, David resorted to a terrible plan: he sent Uriah back to the front lines with instructions to place him in the most dangerous spot, ensuring his death.
When Uriah was killed, David thought he had successfully buried his guilt alongside him. He married Bathsheba, trying to erase the consequences of his actions. But deep down, he was left with an emptiness that would haunt him for years.
David’s journey, like so many others, began with a simple glance, but it spiraled into betrayal and tragedy. He had crossed lines he never intended to, and the weight of his choices affected not just him but everyone around him. The fallout from his actions created chaos in his household and kingdom, teaching him that even the most virtuous can be led astray by their weaknesses.
As time went on, David faced the harsh reality of what he had done. He learned that the path of sin is often gradual, pulling us away from what’s right and leading us into darkness. Through this painful experience, he realized that while our desires can lead us astray, it’s ultimately our choices that shape our lives and destinies.
I choose to sweat the small stuff, I choose to draw lines, and not cross them.
My name is Dean and I’m a grateful believer in Jesus Christ striving and fighting for moral and sexual purity.
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