We often hear advice that goes like this, “Just follow your heart.” Sounds so sage and sensible, yet it is often the worst advice that could be given. Our hearts lead us in the way of our emotions, and our emotions can change with the wind and often reflect little logic. When one of our grandkids gets distracted, we jokingly say, “He saw something shiny!” How easy it is to get off track and go in the wrong direction when we see something shiny.

King David is one of my favorite Biblical figures. From shepherd boy to giant slayer. He was a gifted poet and musician. I picture him as handsome and charming. Scripture says he was celebrated for his amazing success on the battlefield. The Bible calls David “a man after God’s own heart”. I’m not totally sure what that means, but God was pleased with David’s heart. It was a heart that longed for God, that celebrated and worshipped with wreckless abandon not caring what anyone thought of him. (see 2 Sa 6:14-22)

Despite David’s amazing heart, he was still susceptible to sin, inclined to wander when his vision strayed from God’s purpose for him. In 2 Samuel, Scripture says it was spring time when kings go off to war. David is a king, but he doesn’t lead his army this year, he sends his commander Joab to lead them. We don’t know why he decided to stay home, but the Biblical account makes it clear that David wasn’t where he should have been.

While walking on the roof one night David sees a woman bathing. She’s not doing anything illicit, but David looks, lusts, and decides he wants this woman. Even after learning that she is married to one of his soldiers and her father is a trusted adviser, he sends for her. She ends up pregnant and David has a problem. He brings her husband Uriah home from the battlefield assuming Uriah will sleep with his wife and all will be resolved. However, Uriah doesn’t feel he should be enjoying the comforts of home while his fellow soliders are sleeping in tents and facing battle. Uriah returns to the battlefield and David still has a situation. His solution is to send Uriah to the front lines, have the men withdraw, Uriah is killed, and David marries his grieving widow. Everything is solved. Not quite!

God sends the prophet Nathan to confront David. Nathan tells David a story about a wealthy man who steals the one lamb that a poor man owns and slaughters it to serve his guests. David is insensed. He says that rich man must die for committing such a crime against the poor man. Nathan looks at David and says, “You are the man!”

Sin brings destruction internally and externally. It can cost your marriage, your family, your job, your freedom, your integrity. It brings guilt, shame and fear. David’s greatest fear was being found out. He was willing to do literally anything to try and cover his sin. But his greatest fear should have been that he wouldn’t be found out and his heart would be destroyed. Recognizing that he had sinned against God and repenting was the only way to save his heart.

After David sinned, he could have fallen on his knees and begged for forgiveness. He could have done the most honorable thing despite the situation and faced his sin, but the cover-up brought so much more sin and devastation. Nothing gets past God. We’ll give an account; justice is inevitable. If you are on the wrong path, the only solution is to humble your heart before God, admit your sin, and give your heart to him. Don’t let sin destroy your heart.

Scriptures – 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLV); 2 Samuel 11:1 (NIV); 2 Samuel 12:8 (GNT); 2 Samuel 11:2-6, 11, 14-15, 25, 27 (NIV); 2 Samuel 12:5, 7, 13 (NIV)

Verses – The person who thinks he can stand against sin better watch that he doesn’t fall into sin. (1 Co 10:12) 

Questions – Why do we think we can control the outcome of sin? Have you experienced or witnessed the effects of a coverup? How do the effects of forgiven sin continue to plague lives? How do you refocus when tempted to stray?

Prayer – Dear God, keep my heart focused on you. When I’m tempted to stray from your plan, give me wisdom to make the right decisions. Thank you for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and conviction. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.