The Price of Sin

The price of sin for King David was steep. Be aware of the consequences for your sins.

“David was going up … the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, and his head was covered, and he was walking barefoot … the people who were with him each covered his own head, and they were going up, weeping as they went.”—2 Samuel 15:30 NASB

David was at the pinnacle of his power. His kingdom was secure. His needs were being met. But everything changed when he looked out from his palace and saw Bathsheba bathing one evening. Giving in to the lusts of the moment, he brought her into his palace, and “he lay with her.” After she became pregnant, David compounded his sin by having her husband killed (2 Samuel 11:1–27).

Of course, David tried to keep his sins from the public, but God knew what he had done. David felt the impact in every part of his life: The child he conceived with Bathsheba died, his family was divided, and his son Absalom led a revolt.

We see David forced to flee Jerusalem, weeping, his head covered, walking barefoot. What a sad scene! But it was part of the terrible price he paid for his sin.

Although sin may promise great pleasure, it can devastate us. We can be sure we all will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

Saturate yourself with God’s Word and obey it. Dedicate your life to prayer, and seek to be filled anew with the Holy Spirit.

The Lord promises to help you resist temptation. And if you do sin, confess it to Him, for He “is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NASB).

Reflection Question: Reflect on a time when sin had a devastating effect on your life.