ODJ: Sin Always Hurts

July 5, 2018 

READ: Psalm 51:1-19 

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight (v.4).

Sin will always hurt. One couple found this to be true in a painfully embarrassing way. The two were arrested after they attempted to sell stolen goods at a pawnshop. The only problem with their plan was that the goods happened to be from the house of the pawnshop owner. The owner recognised the items, went home to find that his house had indeed been broken into, and reported the duo to the police—leading to their arrest.

It seems like it’s easier to sin when the victim is nameless and faceless. But sin will always hurt somebody. As King David realised, it’s always directed towards a name and a face.

After he rationalised and remained silent about his sins, David finally came to a place where he was able to call what he did sin (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 32:1-5). Not only that, but in confessing it, the psalmist recognised his offence was against God Himself (Psalm 51:4). David wasn’t denying that what he did harmed others. But the point of his confession was to acknowledge his rebellion against God. This seems to fit David’s response when the prophet Nathan confronted him with his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 12:13). David realised that if God ever took him to court to prosecute his offences, the Righteous Judge would unquestionably win the case.

Sin will always hurt somebody—primarily God. Fortunately, He’s a merciful Father who generously forgives. The first step in experiencing true forgiveness—and subsequent joy—is to acknowledge that our sins, though they involve and harm others, are primarily against God. Those who conceal their wrongs won’t prosper, but when we confess our sins to God and turn from them, we find true mercy and forgiveness (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).

—Marvin Williams

365-day plan: Luke 7:1-17