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Money, sex and power. So far I have alerted us to the first two of that dangerous triad. What about the use and abuse of power? When it comes to the issue of power or the exercise of authority, King David is a classic example.
We mostly remember his affair with Bathsheba but I want to suggest that, as wrong as that initiative was, the greater sin was his abuse of power and authority. When the prophet, Nathan, exposed David's sin, it was the way in which David wrongly used his kingly authority that was the target of Nathan's condemnation.
"So the LORD sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: "There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but a little lamb he had worked hard to buy. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man's own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing a lamb from his own flocks for food, he took the poor man's lamb and killed it and served it to his guest." (2 Sam 12:1-4 NLT)
Manipulation and control. These are the two words that come readily to mind as I think about the abuse of power and authority. It is what David did to Bathsheba which led to the adultery. The God appointed leader used his God-given authority or power to achieve his own selfish ends.
These are but a sampling of what it means to be vulnerable; to have an area of life that is weak and prone to attack by a subtle and relentless enemy. But there is another area that needs to be explored. The local church.
More about that aspect in my next log entry.
