Experiencing Recovery, Rebellion Or Relapse Series

11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:11)

So, what are the most important choices you’ll ever make? Look with me at four of them that are identified by David’s life in 2 Samuel 11.

David’s Choices and Ours

1. Learn to control your feelings (2 Samuel 11: 3-4)

David was hijacked by his feelings. If you read the story line, you see that he is all over the board with his emotions. He races back and forth between temptation, lust, craving, and finally sin. One can see how devastating and self-deceiving feelings can be. The opening verses introduce us to:

David’s lust … He craves another man’s wife

Arrogance … leads to abuse of power.

The devotion to idolatrous lust, cravings, and arrogance is a sure fire formula for disaster. It always leads to sin. As John Piper says, “Sin is what we do when we are not completely satisfied in God.”5

We try to disguise our feelings and make them look good and reasonable when, in fact, many of our emotions and feelings are down right sinful. John Calvin conveys this truth when he says, “The evil in our desire often is not in what we want but that we want too much.”6

We make choices everyday. There are some events we have no control over, but with others we stand at a crossroads of decision. We can either make bad choices or make Christ-like choices. Our mind, will, and emotions dwell in our soul. Often it is our emotions, the feeling part of our soul that drives our choices.

Be careful. Never underestimate the power of your emotions or feelings. I have often seen very spiritual and intellectual people driven by feelings to behaviors that are inconsistent with God’s word and their Christ-honoring way of living. I am guilty of such choices. So are you! Feelings may be positive, but they can also be negative; feelings can be overt, they can also be covert; feelings may be strong for Christ, but they can also be strong for Satan.

To understand the power of feelings, just read the daily newspaper:

Medical doctor abuses drugs

Schoolteacher abuses students

Pastor of local congregation abuses his position.

Teenager of well-respected, professional family dies from abusing her body with starvation (anorexia) - nobody knew.

Never forget this: feelings are often stronger than powers of reason. When you are led by your feelings and emotions, you wind up with immoral, abusive, and self-destructive attitudes. This was David’s big mistake, and ours. So, what is the solution?

2. Share Your Feelings. If we confess our sins (feelings) one to another… (1 John 1:9)

Talk about your feelings. Learn to be accountable. If you fail to talk about your feelings you will often act upon them. Most sin is secret. We don’t want others to know about it. And David was guilty.

3. Exercise control of your behaviors and actions (vs. 5-10)

The Bible is not shy about exposing the behavior of God’s people, especially His leaders. David’s sinful behavior could not be more exposed than what you read in our text, it is revealed in Bathsheba’s pregnancy. Sinful behavior grows. Instead of making confession, David justifies his behavior and tries to cover it up. Unconfessed behavior results in more self-justification and additional attempts to cover things up. Read the text. It is spelled out plainly. Learn from it. Flee this type of living. The scripture teaches that our behavior determines our destiny. What you do today has a powerful and profound impact on tomorrow.