2 Samuel 12:18: Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of
David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was
still alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is
dead? He may do some harm!”
The consequences of sin frequently affect more than just the one who is sinning. Unfortunately,
children are often the victims. Some years ago a study was done at Harvard University that found
six out of every ten juvenile delinquents had fathers who drank to excess, and many had mothers
who did the same.
Researchers also discovered that three out of four delinquents had parents who showed no
interest in appropriate discipline. Four out of five had parents who took no interest in their
children’s friends or amusements. Many wayward children came from broken homes, and few had
religious training of any kind.
This same scenario played itself out in David’s life as well. It’s true that David suffered humiliation
and shame. But he was not the only one to bear the consequences of his behavior. Sexual sin
plagued his family. His son Amnon committed incest by force with his half-sister Tamar (2 Sam.
13:14). Absalom sexually humbled his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel (16:22-23).
Even Solomon, in his latter years, had his heart turned away from the Lord by his 700 wives and
300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). It is apparent that David’s sin found fertile soil in the lives of his
children.
Even though our children must bear the responsibility for the sinful choices they make, our
behavior as parents can strongly influence them in one direction or the other. When we justify sin
in our lives, it is all the easier for those who look to us as examples to do the same.
If you are tempted to sin, remember that the consequences of your transgression can ripple down
through the generations that follow. Ask yourself, Is it really worth it?
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PRIVATE SIN