DON'T BE THE TOOL FOR EVIL

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2 Samuel 13:12-16

“No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel.
Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me.”
But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her.
Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. “Get out of here!” he snarled at her.
“No, no!” Tamar cried. “Sending me away now is worse than what you’ve already done to me.”But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her.


Hear, hear, beware, do not be the tool for evil, do not provide yourself as the source of offence.


Listen to Jesus the Christ:


Matthew 18:7 (kjv)
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!


Matthew 18:7
“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.


We know that evil was coming to David's house, I may not be able to explain the mystery of it, however, it was already prophesied against him because of the abominations he did.


Yes we know that there is evil in the world and that temptations and persecutions will come, just as Christ warned, we must never be the cause for it, neither should we be the tool used for the evil.


Amnon allowed himself to be the tool for the evil. He ruined the life of his half sister Tamar, all because he allowed vain lust. Not only did he allow the thought to fill his heart, he went ahead to listen to the counsel of a crafty person.


May we never keep wrong counselors and advisers around us (be careful of your cycle of friends!), they can ruin you!


Was there a way Amnon would have escaped the evil?


Remember:


1 Corinthians 10:11
These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.


Amnon would have asked his father for Tamar's hand in marriage and he would not have gone ahead to do the abomination, but he refused even when she pleaded with him. May we not be caught under the influence of lust and addiction.


We see how evil it is from the aftermath:


2 Samuel 13:15
Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. “Get out of here!” he snarled at her.


Listen dear one, the enemy will use you and dump you. Those things you long for so much that makes you sin will become chaff in your mouth afterwards. Be careful!


Listen:


Proverbs 20:17
Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.


Do not be the tool for evil!


Now this evil have been done, what did Amnon think? Did he think he will get away with it?


2 Samuel 13:22-23,28-29
And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister.
Two years later, when Absalom’s sheep were being sheared at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, Absalom invited all the king’s sons to come to a feast.
Absalom told his men, “Wait until Amnon gets drunk; then at my signal, kill him! Don’t be afraid. I’m the one who has given the command. Take courage and do it!”
So at Absalom’s signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled.


Listen, I always tell my youths, and this applies to everyone:


"You can do whatever you wish, yes, but, hello, you can not determine the consequences"


The best thing is not to engage in the evil in the first place. Do not be the tool for evil.


Let us talk about Absalom. He was also a tool for evil. Yes he might feel justified in avenging his sister, however, he has killed a man, his half brother, he cannot get away with it.


Listen, you cannot justify evil because you are avenging evil.


What did the law say about vengeance?


 Listen:


Leviticus 19:17-18
“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.


So even in the law, bitterness and vengeance is shunned and instructed against.


Moreso, when we are in the time of grace and truth. Listen:


Romans 12:19
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.


Understand who you serve!


Hebrews 12:24
You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.


Have we learnt from the errors of these two: Amnon and Absalom. We must not go ahead to repeat their mistakes, make amends today, get it right.


Do not be the tool for evil.


Instead, be God's channel for righteousness.


Oh help us Good Lord.


PRAYER
Loving Father I am not a tool for evil. No. I am a vessel for You Lord, doing good works at all times. Help me stay pure Lord, pleasing You in all things. I will not fall into temptation. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.


He calls us blessed.


Love

@the watcher.

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