By Reverend Steve Mensah

From Psalm 32 & 51, these were the psalms that David wrote when Nathan confronted him about the sin he committed against Uriah and Bathsheba. When Nathan confronted David, it took David more than a year to face his sins. David thought he had buried his sins; he thought that no one knew or saw his sin against Uriah. God knew and sent Nathan to confront him.

Sometimes believers try to cover up and/or justify their sins, thinking no one knows, but the Lord has seen all our sins and iniquities. When God prompts you, you must confess and ask for forgiveness with God and man.

In Samuel 12:9-12, 

9 Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. 10 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.’11 Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from 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. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’

God raised up adversity against King David. What adversity did the Lord raise against King David? Absalom, David’s son, wanted to dethrone his father, King David. Absalom lifted the sword against King David. Absalom was able to mobilize Israel against King David. King David left with a few members of his family, including his wives. The people supported Absalom and crowned him king. The lord made Absalom sleep with the 10 concubines that David left behind in the eyes of all Israel.

2 Samuel 16:20-22

New King James Version

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.”21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that your father abhors you. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

Sin has consequences

Samuel 12:13-15

13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

14 Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”

15 Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill.

Genesis 20:2-7 (NKJV):

2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.”

4 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also?

5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’

6 In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.”

7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

Confession does not take away the consequences of sin. The Lord struck the child that was born to David and Bethsheba, and it died. God had all the power to stop David, a man of God’s own heart, but He didn’t. God does not take sin for granted. 

In Genesis 20:2-7, when Abimelech brought Sarah into his abode, although Abraham had said that Sarah was his sister, it was an abomination to the Lord. Abimelech did not even touch Sarah, but God warned Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham. 

Genesis 20:17-18

New King James Version

17 So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; 18 for the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

The Lord was serious and hostile to Abimelech about Sarah and Abraham and wanted this potential sin to be reverted b ack to its old state to prevent sin. This shows that God does not take sin for granted. This also shows awareness on God’s defense towards situations when He doesnot want the sin to be committed. The Lord could stop David from sinning, but he didn’t. God can do anything; if God does not want you to do something, He can stop you from sinning. 

WHY GOD ALLOWA BELIEVERS TO SIN AND BEAR CONSEQUENCES. 

1. To show that we have the potential of sinning.
2. To encourage us to turn from sin and constantly depend on Him.

God wants you to know you need his help to turn away from sin and let him direct your life.

3. To prepare us to face other stronger temptations. 

4. To help us stay faithful and keep trusting Him. 

1 Peter 4:17 NIV, 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

As Christians , we must fight a good fight in our daily walk with God.

Charles Templeton and Billy Graham was doing mighty works on crusade grounds for God. As Charles Templeton lost faith in God, he tried to manipulate Billy Graham to start having doubts about the Bible, but later Charles Templeton started challenging the Bible in Princeton University. Charles had delivered and performed miracles. Charles doubted the word of God. Charles became an atheist. However Billy Graham found his way to Christ and put himself fully in Christ. 

Being born again is just the beginning; our walk with God and ending is very important, as is giving life to Christ to the beginning.

Your sight can make you sin, That is why Job said I have made a covenant with my eyes , not to sin. 

“I made a covenant with my eyes

    not to look lustfully at a young woman.

2 

For what is our lot from God above,

    our heritage from the Almighty on high?

3 

Is it not ruin for the wicked,

    disaster for those who do wrong?

4 

Does he not see my ways

    and count my every step?

Matthew 27-28.

Matthew 5:21-22

In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches that being angry with one’s brother is akin to committing murder, and such anger is liable to judgment. He emphasizes that everyone who harbors resentment or hostility towards others will face accountability. Additionally, Jesus warns that speaking insults or derogatory remarks can lead to severe consequences, including being held accountable by the council or facing hellfire. This passage highlights the importance of reconciliation and peaceful resolution in relationships, urging individuals to reflect the spirit of love and forgiveness that characterizes the Kingdom of God.

Jesus went to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival and visited the Pool of Bethesda, located near the Sheep Gate, which had five covered colonnades where many disabled people—blind, lame, and paralyzed—lay waiting for healing (John 5:1-3). According to some manuscripts, an angel would occasionally stir the water, and the first person to enter afterward would be healed (John 5:4). 

Among them was a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” The man explained that he had no one to help him into the pool when the water was stirred, and others always got in ahead of him (John 5:5-7). 

Jesus then said, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Immediately, the man was healed, picked up his mat, and walked (John 5:8-9). This miracle occurred on the Sabbath, prompting the Jewish leaders to question the man for carrying his mat, which was considered work forbidden on that day (John 5:10-11). The man replied that the one who healed him had told him to do so, but he did not know who Jesus was, as He had slipped away into the crowd (John 5:12-13). 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”

God knows 

Acts 12:20-24

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.

21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.

22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”

23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

This passage describes the events surrounding Herod’s anger and the miraculous death of an angel upon Herod’s refusal to honor God. 

We need to make up our minds to make godly choices as people of God. Do what is right. Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to help us.

Ephesians 5:1-7

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For [a]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

All that is happening in the world currently should warn us to draw closer to God. These are the end days. About 15 countries are at war: Ukraine, Russia,

CONSEQUENCES OF SIN

Everyone who sins, is a slave to sin.

John 8:30-34 (NKJV) states:

30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

31 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

32 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

33 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.

34 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

This passage emphasizes the truth of sin and the promise of freedom through faith in Jesus Christ.

A slave doesnot have rights, their lifestyle is determined by their master. If everyone who sins is a slave to sin, then sin now tells you to what to do. A salve to sin may have the desire to stop, but since sinful people are slaved. The only being that can help sinful people to overcome sin is Jesus Christ. 

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ?

2. Sin disturbs man’s relationship with God 

The Jews said since Abraham, their p atriach was a right

Sin disturbs man relationship with God

Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV) states: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” This verse emphasizes the separation caused by sin and the inability of God to hear due to iniquity.

The only time you can be shown mercy and restore your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.You must repent for the Lord to show you mercy. 

1Peter 2:24

24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”