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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
When Good Men Go Bad
As a boy I recall a night when Mom and Dad were talking in low tones. They would not tell me what they were talking about, but sometime later they told me a brother in Christ had been charged with stealing from his employers. When I heard what had happened, it frightened me. I could not help but wonder how he could do such a thing, knowing he knew what God says about stealing.
Sadly, that was not the last time I would make such a discovery. Truly, no person is immune to Satan’s temptations. We read in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be sober, be vigilant; your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
If anything, our modern society is much more tolerant toward sin, and a man may parade himself as righteous while practicing wickedness. Satan is not timid with his temptations, and no person, however esteemed they may be, is above giving in to temptation.
Years ago I had worked in a new city only a few days when one of my students informed me that his father, an elder in a distant congregation, had admitted his “affair” with another man’s wife. Yes, it can happen.
More than one preacher has been found guilty of gross sin. When it happens it surprises us, but it also makes us aware that sin is not only powerful in its appeal, but that the appeal is not as easy to resist as we might think.
A more current episode reveals that a man of considerable stature among his peers has for many years been practicing sin, keeping it from his own family and friends. “How can this happen?” we ask. While the answer is elusive, we know for sure that Satan has been at work again.
The Bible is a book that pulls no punches, telling the whole story about villains and heroes alike. Samson was in many ways a hero to his people, but his life had flaws that kept him from being all he could be. He was strong physically, but weak when tempted.
King Saul, strong and handsome as a man, seemingly possessing every regal quality, was also weak when tempted. He succumbed to the desire to be popular with his people while ignoring God’s will. He heard the following devastating words:
“Now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee,” 1 Samuel 13:14.
That man, described by God as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22), was David, son of Jesse, conqueror of Goliath, a shepherd boy who became Israel’s great king — but also susceptible to temptation. He first shirked his duties as king, and while doing so, committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. If that was not enough, David had Uriah killed to cover his own sin, 2 Samuel 11-12.
Though penitent (See Psalm 51), David suffered much because of his sin and his weakness of heart. Good men can “go bad,” and the grief and sadness lingers longer than expected.
Israel’s respect for David was diminished by his sin. His family was continually in trouble. His rule over Israel was never again the same. His enemies were given “occasion to blaspheme God,” 2 Samuel 12:14.
That is the most devastating effect when a Christian’s sin is published abroad. God’s enemies relish the opportunity to gloat over the shame we feel. That brother let us down, has brought a heartache that is not easily dismissed. The word “scandal” and “hypocrite” begin to be bandied about. The good that may have been accomplished by that man is virtually lost, overwhelmed by his sin.
Surely there are lessons to be learned, even from these events.
- Never underestimate Satan’s power. Good men and women have surrendered before, and it will happen again.
- It can happen to me. It can happen to you. Satan has his eye on each of us! We must be “sober,” alert, 1 Peter 5:8.
- We cannot afford to lose hope just because Satan has won a battle. Jesus had a friend who betrayed Him, but He didn’t let it destroy Him.
- Sin doesn’t have to happen. Though Satan’s devices are devious, if we resist him, he will flee from us, James 4:7.
- God has promised there will always be a way to escape Satan’s temptations, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. We just have to look for it and be willing to take it.
- We cannot afford to put our trust in man. Those who have been disappointed have often found their faith shaken, if not lost.
- Men and women who sin grievously can repent, be forgiven and again be fruitful in the Kingdom. Simon Peter fell more than once, but God and Paul did not give up on him, Galatians 2:9, 2 Peter 3:15.
Good men and women have sinned grievously in the past, and will again. Our first responsibility is to watch our behavior, make sure our faith is in God, not man, then try to help others who struggle with temptation.
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“Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful,”
“Sin is a monster of such frightful countenance, that to be hated needs but to be seen. But, seen too often, familiar with its face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
“Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven,"
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I Am A Disciple
I am a disciple.
I am part of a fellowship of the unashamed.
The die is cast.
I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I’m a disciple of His.
I won’t look back, slow down, let up, back away, or be stilled.
My past is redeemed.
My present makes sense.
My future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, tame vision, mundane talking, chinchy giving and dwarf goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, position, prosperity, promotion, platitudes or popularity.
I do not have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.
I live by presence, lean by faith, walk by patience, live by prayer and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven.
My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few.
My Guide is reliable.
My mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of my enemies, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up or let up until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
I’m a disciple of Jesus.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, work till He stops me.
And when He comes for His own, He’ll have no problem recognizing me, for my colors will be clear.
I AM A DISCIPLE
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