25^th January 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: THE PROBLEM OF SINFUL PLEASURE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “ ‘No, my brother!’ she cried. ‘Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel’ ” (2 Samuel 13:12).

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1.  Is it the case that the mistakes of parents are likely to be repeated by their children?

David had had many children with his wives and concubines. In addition, David had brought in another woman by the name of Bathsheba because of adultery. Bathsheba was Uriah's wife yet David took her and also murdered her husband. This was no secret in the royal court.

Among the children of David, Amnon was the eldest. But then something happened. He [Amnon] began to nurture lust in his heart for his half-sister Tamar, Absalom's sister (2 Sam 13:1). 

This sinful lust quickly took over Amnon such that he fell sick out of distress to satisfy this sinful lust (2 Sam 13:2) which was not lawful for him to do. Turning to a friend who is also a cousin, Amnon received a crafty advise from Jonadab (2 Sam 13:5). Amnon raped Tamar, and once the lust was satisfied hatred filled Amnon's heart for his half-sister (2 Sam 13:12-14). Amnon knew there were consequences to what he had planned to do yet he closed his to them all so he could satisfy this lust.

Beloved, people can be destroyed emotionally by rape, incest, or any kind of sexual abuse. Breaking God’s laws about sexual behavior always causes devastation in people’s lives. One tragic example of this is the Amnon and Tamar scandal.

David heard of the foolish action of Ammon and he was unable to confront his son. Why do you think David went silent on this blunder? He left the case unattended and Absalom developed a deep hatred for his half-brother, Amnon. Absalom waited for two years and then went for revenge. He killed Amnon for raping his sister. Amnon's fleeting pleasure brought with it huge consequences--he lost his own life, Tamar lost her purity, Jonadab lost his integrity and David lost a son. The pleasure of sin is always expensive.

Precious one, we can learn a lot from Amnon's failure, as God's people. First, let's note that Amnon mistook lust for love and acted foolishly.

True love will lead us on the path of righteousness, and whatever we do let's remember that there will be long-term and eternal consequences. Secondly, Amnon acted on the wrong counsel. Let's be careful when we are helpless and in need of counsel. Always turn to scriptures and the Holy Spirit in times of need (Jer 33:3). Finally, King David failed to address the sin of Amnon because he saw himself in his son. Let's be mindful of what we do each day. We are a living model for our children. Let's give them good examples to copy and repeat in life.

Beloved, this year, may you live far above lust and all forms of sinful pleasure to the glory and praise of our Father in heaven.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER READING:  2 Samuel 13:1- 33

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Search your heart. Is there any lustful desires in your heart?

2. Have you been fantasizing about wrongful desires?

PRAYER

Precious Father, you know my heart. You see my ways. Today, I give up on all forms of lust, cleansing myself from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit. Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Hallelujah!

 One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Genesis 44-45; Psalm 25; Matthew 25