Death-Inducing Actions

If we do not stop ourselves from sinning, it will grow out of control.   #daybydaylw   Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org.   ~~~   Ecclesiastes 7:5 “It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.” And this is exactly what we have before us in 2 Samuel 13:3-6…a song of a fool, albeit a crafty, wise, skillful fool. And so the wise fool named Jonadab suggested to Amnon to pretend to be sick, and when your dad, King David, comes to your house to check on you, request that Tamar, that most righteous and virtuous of women, come and tend to you. Then you will have her all to yourself. So this is exactly what Amnon did. And notice how Tamar is described. She shows up and immediately gets to work. “She took dough, she kneaded it, made cakes, baked the cakes, emptied the pan.” Why describe all the actions of Tamar? Because the author is showing us how obedient, how quick to serve, how righteous Tamar is. She is simply trusting the word of her father, who should protect her. She is believing that her half-brother really needs to be tended to. And she jumps into action, wanting to care for her family. And then, Amnon seizing upon his opportunity, sends everyone out but Tamar. He is feigning to be so sick that he can’t even bring his hand to his mouth, but requires someone else to do that for him. And only Tamar can fulfill that in his mind. So he clears the room except for her. And this is where Amnon sinful desires lead him to sinful actions. James tells us 1:15 “Desire when it is conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This is exactly what we are witnessing…the bringing forth of death by means of Amnon’s wicked desire. Do not shun the word of God here. Hear it clearly. Take note of it. And deal with sinful desires before they birth death-inducing actions.