2 Samuel 12:5

New International Version (NIV)

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die!

For Meditation

Have you noticed that when we harshly condemn another person’s failure, we may, more than likely, be caught in the throes of that same sin? Those of us with children; do you see how angrily we condemn them when they fall into a lifestyle we may be struggling with? And sadly, we may not even realize we are most guilty there. The fact is that sin is most horrific when it is revealed in others. Our natural reaction is to condemn. We pontificate heartlessly where we too are guilty. King David reveals this phenomenon when Nathan confronted him with his adulterous encounter with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband to cover it up (2 Sam. 12:1-7).

Nathan wisely presented the case to David in a parable. David burned with anger against the inconsiderate rich man. “How could he do that to the poor owner of that single ewe lamb he so loved,” he may have reasoned. As king in the judgment seat, David brought the gavel down hard on the rich man: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die!” (5). But the gavel of the ultimate Judge in heaven sounded immediately: “You are the man!” (7). So it is with us to.

Every time we condemn others, we condemn ourselves. Jesus therefore warns us this way: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matt. 7:1-2).

Judgment is the prerogative of God. He is the only person who knows every shade and hue of a situation, and He has mercy and grace to dispense. We sit in His seat when we judge; and often we judge without His heart.

The Spirit of God therefore counsels us in Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” Our role is restoration, not condemnation. For, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matt. 5:7).

1. How do you react to the sinful deed of another?
2. Do you see them through the eyes of God?
3. Do you condemn and sentence them to death like David?
4. Do you rather rebuke with the “tenderness and compassion” of God’s love towards restoration (Phil. 2:1)?
5. But, do you consider yourself as you confront the ugliness of that sin?

I pray that the sins of others may cause us to examine ourselves before reacting to them. It helps to bring mercy and grace for restoration.

So:

Shalom