Morning Service, John Stasse, 17 January 2010
Last week we saw what God reveals about Himself in this chapter in terms of understanding His ways in evil days. We saw that God sees every detail of all the sinful deeds of people, even those done in the secret places, including the secret places of the heart; that God often permits the triumph of evil over good for a time, but only for a time; and that God is longsuffering and merciful, never delighting in judgement, though He does judge the unrepentant sinner with absolute fairness; that though the judgment of God grinds slowly it grows certainly. We also saw that God delights not in judgement but mercy.
These are things that both believer and unbeliever need to be aware of as they see what is happening about them. Without which understanding the sinner will become arrogant in the continuance and encouragement of sin, but the believer may become anxious and unsettled, even being tempted to turn away from God in resentment and the unbelief of bitterness.
However, it is also clear that it is an exposé of sin. In fact this is what most people, particularly believers, would see when they read it. And yet as we do so there is a very real danger to a Christian to look at a passage such as this where the effect of sin in Ahab and say that while it helps me to understand unbelievers about me it really has nothing to say to me, after all I am saved.
It is true that for the Christian we have been set free from the power of sin as well as cleansed from the pollution of sin, yet it is still very present in our hearts, ever seeking to run riot in our hearts, to enslave us yet again.
The only difference between sin in the non-Christian and in the Christian is that in the Christian it can never become again the dominant principle in life – but if you pamper it and play with it sin will rage within you. The fact that we are constantly warned against temptation and sin that we ought not to indulge in it, and that we read of sinners being confronted and called to repentance, indicates that it is very possible for us to have sin rage within. That is surely the point underlying where Paul declares that one member of the Corinthian church should be judicially handed over to satan “for the destruction of the flesh that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 5:5), and of Hymenaeus and Alexander, of whom he says “I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Tim 1:18).
As sin does affect Christians as well as non-Christians it is as vital for us to increase our understanding of the nature and devices of sin, even though we are looking at it in an unbeliever. In short a discussion of the ways of sin is not only important for the non-Christian, but even for the Christian.
And so we turn to this chapter, a chapter that is filled with stark, biblical realism in all that it says about sin. The outcome of which is that we are repulsed by sin rather than encouraged to imitate it. Al Martin describes sin as displayed here as ‘a consuming fire and unquenchable thirst in the soul of a man’. So what is God teaching us about sin by this exposé?
1. The Deceitfulness of Sin
In 2 Cor 2:11 Paul warns us about the cunning and subtlety of satan when he writes, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Cor. 2:11). The author to the Hebrews also comments that we are to exhort one another daily “lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (3:13).
Sin rarely appears to be what it really is. Satan dresses it up, promises things by it, all the time hiding the reality. Look at Ahab, what could appear more natural than a king swept along by international victory than to want to expand his personal holdings, to extend his house and gardens? He can visualise, and no doubt could easily justify it as an improved aid to help him relax from the heavy duties of state, as being helpful to his role in entertaining dignitaries and in adding to the prestige of Israel as well as of His own kingship.
Ahab is being presented by satan with a very tasty morsel. He is like the fish being confronted by the bait which the fisherman has very carefully presented to appeal to its senses, whilst all the time hiding the hook. Here satan deceitfully enticed Ahab into this further degree of sin, fooling him by sin which appeared as so natural, indeed something to be desired.
Notice the deceitfulness of sin:
It comes where we are most susceptible. He was a worldly man, having already cast off God and His law and introduced Baalism. It was in this state that satan brought a temptation that appealed to his worldly attitudes, that played on his covetousness. Satan’s bait comes in terms of what will most likely overcome us! To Judas who was a lover of money, he suggest the temptation of 30 pieces of silver. Learn the need to be aware of your weaknesses!
It comes when we are most susceptible. It came at a time when Ahab was a confident man, having achieved great victories. It also came at a time when Able was idle, on the day that he was looking around. Sin shows itself to us at just the right season and situation. How we need to be careful of the times! So often sin approaches and ensnares us when we are tired and resistance is low, or after a great spiritual blessing and we are not as alert to it. How often it comes when we are in a given place, where we are hearing or watching something. In Matt 24:11,12 Jesus warns “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Even in times of immorality and apostasy true believers need to be alert. Why? Because these are vulnerable times when we are tempted to think what’s the use, what difference does it matter, or that some compromise is vital for survival.
It comes secretly. It was at first only a thought: ‘offer to buy it, it is ideal for what you want’. It was not a full frontal attack. In the same way we read in John 13:2 that satan put the thought into Judas’ heart. Before we know it we have listened to satan’s suggestions, we have considered the thought and begun to run with it. It was only a thought, but how it worms into our mind and heart if not checked and rejected.
It comes subtly, softly and inoffensively. It comes sounding so harmless, merely offering an advantage. If satan had come saying ‘Murder, rob, take what you want’ Ahab would’ve reacted. Even Jezebel, though that’s what she thought, was careful not to put it so bluntly to the king, covering it up by highlighting in Naboth’s refusal an alleged affront to his dignity as king, as treason against his person and office. Sin always presents itself as being harmless, encouraging us to not look deep enough. That’s its deceitfulness.
It comes repeatedly. Satan does not give up easy. Ahab goes into his house sulking. There is a danger he may in time lose interest. So what does he do? He stirs up the initial temptation through Ahab’s wife. The thought had to be kept in his mind, his lusts stirred up a little. How often this happens. We turn from temptation, or by some means its influence in us is not realized only to find a little while later, maybe by a different means, it is brought to us again and again until it masters us.
2. The Perversity of Sin
Sin corrupts and perverts the sinners thinking and relationships.
It perverts the mind, turning us into a scheming fiend. God created man to be a rational being, with the purpose that we would use our mind to His glory. We are to love God “… with our whole mind”. Yet look at how quickly Jezebel comes up with an ingenious and intricate plot, using a knowledge of the God’s ways, of Naboth’s obvious status in the city, and that the leaders of the city as being unprincipled men who would do anything to keep the King’s favour (and money) in the city. See what sin has done: it takes all these God-given faculties of the mind and uses them for evil. We know something of this don’t we? When we tell a lie how quickly the mind develops schemes to protect and keep covered that lie.
It perverts our morals. How it turned Ahab into an unprincipled ‘moral jellyfish’! He clearly had an inkling of Jezebel’s plan, otherwise she could not have his royal seal. But there is no ‘No!’, only a tacit ‘Do what you like!’ He was once again thinking only of design concepts. Sin made him a moral jelly-fish. Not once did he make a moral stand. Sin perverts our moral sensitivities. We stand by and say ‘Well I didn’t mean that, certainly didn’t plan that. You can’t hold me responsible for what other people do with my thoughts…’ How we always seem to be able to find someone else to blame for our sin – mother, teacher, society! The unsaved always look for the path of expediency. And if the Christian gives sin any chance to reign it will do the same to them, as often seen by our silence.
It perverts our relationships, making you think your best friend is your worst enemy, and vice versa. Ahab called Elijah his “enemy” yet looks upon Jezebel as his best friend. Why? Because Elijah, that instrument of mercy, was accusing his conscience, while Jezebel was encouraging him in his wickedness, covering up its real horror. How often have we thought our best friend to be the one who is stirring us on in sin, who doesn’t tell us off? But such a person is co-operating with the devil and is an enemy of your soul. McCheyne identified the true friend as ‘The man who tells the most truth about you.’
It perverts our relationship with God, causing you to manipulate the Word of God so as to perpetrate more evil. That’s what Jezebel was doing. In calling a fast she prepared the people to think that God’s judgement had come upon them for some unknown reason. Then exploiting that fear she provided the cause in accusing Naboth of blasphemy, resulting naturally in his death. She didn’t care about God. She used the biblical teaching on fasting, repentance and of blasphemy to commit sin! This is not unique! In 2 Peter 3:16 we read of those who “twist to their own destruction” the Scriptures. The word “twist” means to put on the rack, to stretch out of its natural shape. Beware whenever Scriptures come to mind when you are looking for some way to excuse or cover up sin, or to avoid repentance!
3. The Bitterness of Sin
The fisherman hides the hook under pleasure, but once taken by the fish the reality strikes home. Satan understanding the nature of the lure always covers up the hook of sin with pleasure. Think of Eve in Gen 3:6 – how good and beneficial it looked, what pleasure it offered. In Hebrews 11:25 we read that Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin”. In 2 Tim 3:4 Paul speaks of corrupters of the church as “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”. Satan will take advantage of these alleged ‘pleasures’, and people will readily and often fall for it.
Sin may look harmless, even natural, promising pleasure and comfort, but this is an illusion, it always results in bitterness. It always gives what it doesn’t mention: the judgement of God.
As soon as Ahab sees Elijah sin’s bitterness appeared – v.17ff. His conscience exploded in accusation. The peace and joy he enjoyed was gone! He is beginning to see his sin and feel its horror, and lashes out at Elijah calling him “my enemy”. Then flows the pronouncement of God’s judgement, of impending doom. Yes it was delayed by the outward repentance of Ahab – delayed, but not removed! Only then to find himself falling into the hands of God who is a consuming fire – bitterness for all eternity! The conscience and God’s Word, the voice within and the voice without, combining to declare that there is no peace for the wicked!
These are solemn words warning us to avoid sin like the plague. For all its pleasures, it only gives birth to bitterness.
There is only one remedy: Jesus who was so named “for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matt 1:21) – not only from guilt but also from the terrible potential that remains. Having broken the power of sin, He will also save from the presence of sin. Don’t fool yourself! Give due credence to the power of sin – it can turn you, yes even the Christian, into a covetous, perverted, scheming fiend like Ahab and Jezebel. Fear sin and what it can do to you, and seek safety in Christ each and every day of your life. Cry out for continuing grace to resist sin and to choose righteousness, and to lead to repentance and receive forgiveness when you stumble and fall again into sin.