Pride goes before a fall...
Illustration
Pride goes before a fall; and a haughty spirit before destruction. No wonder Jesus warned against the complacency that develops "when all men speak well of you."
Everybody thought well of David. His kingdom had grown and prospered, so that the former shepherd boy dwelt in a fine palace. His armies were out in the field, bringing new conquests. But then sin, in the form of sexual temptation, entered his life and made him its victim. From that point on, things went downhill!
At this point the Bible sounds very modern. Not too long ago Jim and Tammy Bakker were among the very successful TV evangelists. Whatever one may have thought of their message, there was no dispute about their success in building up a huge "theme park" and multimillion-dollar real estate operation. Then sexual tempation entered Bakker's life, and, when it became known, his whole empire collapsed; and had to be rescued by outsiders.
Not long ago the former Senator Gary Hart of Colorado was the golden boy of politics, the front-runner for a presidential nomination. Whatever people thought of his politics, there was little doubt about his personal appeal. Everyone spoke well of him! Then sexual temptation came into his life and, when it became known, he was compelled to confess and apologize. His life has taken a much different course as a result.
David's adventure with Bathsheba is a good example of the honesty of the Bible in its reporting, but also a warning of the consequences of sin.
- Stauderman
Everybody thought well of David. His kingdom had grown and prospered, so that the former shepherd boy dwelt in a fine palace. His armies were out in the field, bringing new conquests. But then sin, in the form of sexual temptation, entered his life and made him its victim. From that point on, things went downhill!
At this point the Bible sounds very modern. Not too long ago Jim and Tammy Bakker were among the very successful TV evangelists. Whatever one may have thought of their message, there was no dispute about their success in building up a huge "theme park" and multimillion-dollar real estate operation. Then sexual tempation entered Bakker's life, and, when it became known, his whole empire collapsed; and had to be rescued by outsiders.
Not long ago the former Senator Gary Hart of Colorado was the golden boy of politics, the front-runner for a presidential nomination. Whatever people thought of his politics, there was little doubt about his personal appeal. Everyone spoke well of him! Then sexual temptation came into his life and, when it became known, he was compelled to confess and apologize. His life has taken a much different course as a result.
David's adventure with Bathsheba is a good example of the honesty of the Bible in its reporting, but also a warning of the consequences of sin.
- Stauderman
