STING OF SIN
Have you ever been stung by a bee, a bee of any kind? Yes, you remember— that sharp acute pain followed by the realization that you’ve just been stung. Likewise, that’s how sin springs on us, suddenly you’re bit then the ultimate awareness of that sting.
Often times we’re stung not because we’re unaware of the danger, but more so because we fail to take heed and flee, or we simply neglect to implement boundaries to avoid the potential threat. Let me very quickly highlight a few individuals who were stung by sin.
- Samson as depicted in Judges 16 – “Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him” – (vs. 20 NIV).
- King David as depicted in 2 Samuel 11 – “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem” – (vs.1 NIV).
- Peter as depicted in Mark 14 – “Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same” – (vss. 29-31 NLT).
Once you’re stung, the ramification is the brokenness of one’s spirit as shown in Peter’s life. “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly” – (Luke 22:61-62 NLT).
This one and the same brokenness was experienced and echoed centuries earlier than Peter’s admission by the very well-known Bible character King David. “Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” – (Psalm 51:8-10 NLT).
These men shared the commonality of being self-confident, prideful, and trusted in their own strength. Thus, leading them to step over the boundaries of God which resulted in them being stung by sin. I too identify with being stung and the brokenness that accompanies it. This form of chastisement from God produces worship and a gratitude for His mercy, grace, and love! One day every believer in Jesus will be delivered from “the sting” and all its by-products. “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” – (1 Corinthians 15:56-57 NLT).
Tymo Knight
Amen and thank you for this!
Eric Jenkins
Yes sir, praise, honor and glory to Him who ultimately presents us faultless before the Father 🙏🏽