WHO NEEDS A NATHAN?

READING: 2 SAMUEL 12:1-12

Verse 1: “Then the LORD sent Nathan to David...”

The interaction that took place between Nathan and David serves to offer a lesson regarding an important spiritual principle. This passage of scripture relates what Nathan the Prophet said to King David, and how David responded. David was told about someone rich who sinfully took advantage of a poor man. After David became very angry about the sin of the rich man, Nathan pointed out that David was guilty of the same wrongdoing in his sin with Bathsheba. David had not been properly sensitive to the seriousness of that sin as he committed it. However, he reacted sharply when a similar act was attributed to someone else. This characteristic is not limited to David. The words of Jesus in Matthew 7 remind us that people have the tendency to notice the speck in another’s eye, while not considering the plank in their own eye. David’s error can be avoided when Christians respect the admonition in 1 Corinthians 11:31. This verse informs us that if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. As children of God by the Holy Spirit, we are made able to examine ourselves anf profit in godliness as the result. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you think might have happened if David did not have Nathan?

2. What step follows self examination?