This piece accounts for the dangers of self-righteousness and swifter judgments that are woven into the very fabric of our moral lives. It uses two illustrations from 2 Samuel 12:1–7 and John 8:1–11.
The Word of God teaches that all mankind has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. For this reason, God the Father made Jesus Christ sin for us to become His righteousness in Him (Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Yet, how difficult it is for many to accept this truth.
After David had killed Uriah, God sent the Prophet Nathan to point out his sins to him. Nathan began with the story of a rich man with many flocks and a poor man with only a little ewe lamb. A traveler arrives, and while the rich man spares his own flock, he takes the poor man’s only ewe lamb.
Having listened to him, David angrily said, “The man who did this deserves to die… he shall restore the lamb fourfold.” Prophet Nathan then said to him: “You are the man.”
Despite his spiritual insight, he reacted emotionally because the story seemed alien to him. Yet, when the VAR was consulted, he realized he had done worse things than the rich man.
Comparing the sins of the rich man with David’s, it is clear that the rich man took a lamb, whereas David took someone’s wife. The rich man deprived a man of his joy, but David arranged the death of the innocent after taking his wife. David was ready to crucify the rich man, not knowing he had been more wicked than the rich man in reality.
Nathan drew his attention to the difference between moral outrage and personal accountability. We are often quick to judge the sins of others while ignoring our own.
The woman the Pharisees brought to Jesus, having been found in adultery, probably was more righteous than many of her accusers because they could not respond to Jesus’s demand (John 8:1–11). David was swift to condemn the rich man but was perplexed in acknowledging his faults.
David was an anointed king, a worshipper, the psalmist, and the man after God’s own heart, yet he became the oppressor.
Today, political leaders many a time complain vehemently about corruption suspicion cases while they themselves benefit quietly from them. In all segments of our society, many see themselves as better than others. Some government officials satisfy the rent-seeking ambitions of cronies while selectively disciplining their political opponents.
In organizations, managers discipline minor faults but hide structural injustice. In families, we shout at small mistakes but excuse our own failures.
Character assassination is rampant nowadays. Many people conspire to mastermind the downfall of others, portraying themselves as divinely appointed judges of God. “He must be finished.” Employees are often treated unfairly without a chance to reflect on accusations.
The measure you use for others will be used for you, too. David declared fourfold restitution for the poor man, so he also paid four times more for his sins. The child he had with Bathsheba died. His sons Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah were also killed.
Nathan shows us that self-examination can lead to genuine restitution. In the sanctuary today, some leaders believe they have the absolute power to publicly discipline the fallen. Some expose the weak quickly and condemn loudly.
Let us remember that David reacted emotionally to the ewe-lamb story, just as many church pastors and leaders react to reports without patience. Each church member is accountable to God.
Conclusion
Precious reader, before you condemn your brother or destroy a reputation, pause and reflect on your life. If heaven measures our sins by the same rod, how much will we pay? One ewe lamb cannot be compared with the death of a man, which is priceless. Yet David was ready to execute his fellow man.
Examine yourself carefully before you declare, “He must be finished.”
