Meditation: Sins Come in Bunches

My pastor likes to say that sins are like grapes — they come in bunches. I was reminded of this when reading 2 Samuel 11 this week.

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

Following this, David engaged in many types of deceptions. He first tried to get Uriah to lay with his wife by summoning him back from battle. David tried to get Uriah drunk as well. I don’t know the situation well enough, but simply bringing Uriah back to the palace could have put other warriors besieging the city in danger. When this didn’t succeed, David sent Uriah back and provided instructions to put him in the hottest section of the battle, then pull back from him. Scripture made it clear that others were put in danger from this action (verse 21). Of course, David is guilty of Uriah’s murder, but David’s sins were a multitude and destroyed additional lives.

Porn is a persistent problem for men in this age. It’s readily accessible, is tantamount to adultery, and undoubtedly comes with other sins. Men will lie and deceive to keep the secret hidden. Men’s interactions with their own wives may be twisted by what they’ve seen, causing both to sin. I suspect there are some men whose lust grows from here and causes even more inequity. No matter what, porn is not an innocent pastime. It’s sinful in a multitude of ways.

My encouragement to all men is to put your efforts into your wives ONLY. Do not allow the deceiver to draw you in. Be strengthened up by the Word of God; if you re tempted, pick up the bible! If necessary, install an app on your phone or PC, and get help. If you don’t have another man or elder in your church you can trust to keep you accountable, then perhaps you need to find the right church. This bunch of sins doesn’t have to hold you down and affect your life. You can and must put this sin to death!