Response To Sin?

Sin. It devastates our world. It creates havoc in our lives, in our churches, in our government.

It does so not because all have sinned, although that is certainly true (Rom. 3:23). The reason sin is so destructive has more to do with our reaction to it.

In this case, we are not discussing our reaction to the sins of others, even though it is clear that this can be destructive as well (1 Cor. 5). The reason we struggle so with sin is due in large part to our reaction to our own sins. How do we respond when confronted with the wrong we have done?

A classic case study is that of Israel's first king, Saul. Saul, when confronted with his sin, completely failed in his response and in his dealing with its consequences. An examination of his reaction to his sin is profitable for us today.

The story is familiar enough. Saul had been commanded to "utterly destroy" the Amalekites, a command which involved the sparing of no life and the taking of no spoils (1 Sam. 15:1-3). Saul set out to accomplish God's will, but in his leading of the army, he allowed Agag, the Amalekite king, to live. He also kept the best of the sheep, oxen and lambs (v. 9). This was the sin of Saul.

On the surface, it seems a small, even understandable thing, but he had failed to obey God. God sent Samuel to Saul to confront him about his sin, and the test of his character which would come in his dealing with this sin would find him sadly lacking.

The Denial. Before Samuel can even speak, Saul greets him as if nothing has happened, saying "I have carried out the command of the Lord" (v. 13). Saul knew he had done no such thing, but his pride would not allow him to admit that he had sinned in not completing God's command. Today, many would rather deny that they have sinned than to face facts, couching their denials in technicalities and vague semantics.

Unfortunately for Saul, he was dealing with a prophet of God, and Samuel questioned his obvious lie, asking, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of oxen which I hear?" (v. 14).

However, Saul was still unwilling to face up to his disobedience.

Blaming Others. Saul's response to Samuel's question reveals much about his lack of character, for he chooses to blame those whom he was supposed to be leading. "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed" (v. 15).

Saul's weakness allows him to blame others for what he had done, while still taking credit for "partial" obedience to the command. In addition, notice how he tries to turn this sin into something of which God should be happy, but no amount of "doing good" can cover up wrongdoing. Saul also continues to deny his sin (v. 20), but Samuel rejects his denials and his "cover-up" stating, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" (v. 22). Repentance?

Finally, with no way out of his sin and faced with losing his kingdom (v. 23), Saul admits his sin and asks for pardon. But did he repent? Saul certainly says the right words (vv. 24-25), but when Samuel refuses to return with him, he reacts by angrily grabbing Samuel, tearing his robe. Saul's attitude can hardly be characterized as penitent, and Samuel tells him that in much the same manner, the kingdom has been torn from him (v. 28). Repentance is more than saying the right words. In fact, the words are only "right" if coupled with a heart that is right. Saul's heart was not right, as can be seen from his reaction to sin's consequences. Seeking to Avoid Consequences. Saul would spend much of the rest of his life attempting to subvert the consequences God had pronounced on him. More than once, he tried to an God had chosen to succeed him (1 Sam. 18:10-11; 19:1,11; 24; 26). He finished his life a scared, evil, vindictive man, who had grown to accept sin and embrace it. And despite all his attempts to avoid the consequences, God's punishment for sin was exactly as had been promised, for he lost his kingdom to David.

Sin is a dangerous thing, but failing to deal with it carries with it even greater danger. The life of Saul, the first king of Israel, serves to remind us of this danger. Denial, blaming others and failing to truly repent will destroy our lives, and we will suffer eternal consequences.