Scripture
2 Samuel 13:15 (NIV)
Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”
Observation
The flesh wants what the flesh wants. It rages with lust. Lust for things, feelings, people, power, and everything that goes against the nature of the Spirit but walks hand in hand with the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Amnon’s feelings for his step-sister, Tamar, were not feelings of love, as he may have thought, but something born out of the desire of the flesh. We see that Amnon didn’t exhibit any of the qualities of the Spirit. He had no peace, for each day he woke up haggard (v 4) and he was obsessed with his desire for his step-sister (v 2). When confronted with the option to be show patience by taking the situation to his father, David, he chose to not follow this course of action. There is no single quality of the Spirit that can be associated with Amnon and his behavior.
True to the desires of the flesh, Amnon abandoned Tamar once he had received what he wanted. He was, of course, not satisfied with what he had so lustfully pursued. This is the way of the flesh. This is the way of sinful nature. In Amnon’s heart of hearts, his step-sister Tamar was nothing more than a new thing that he wanted to possess.
In the Western world, we live in pursuit of things. It has been said that “the one with the most toys wins.” We live in a society that constantly feeds the desire for more. If we are technologically connected then we are connected to the great beast of more! When I turn on my computer, I am greeting by an operating system that wants to make my shopping experience better. I can’t turn on a radio, television or use applications on my mobile device without being assaulted by ads trying to sell me something I don’t need. We are hit with advertising wherever we go. However, we go.
Why is advertising successful? Advertising is successful because we are never happy with the things that we have. There is always something better than what we have. A new iteration of a smartphone, car model, house color, style of shoe, etc. If you can think of it then someone else has too and likely has it for sale.
God put into us a desire for Him. A desire to love and be loved. A longing to be fulfilled. This is what drives us each day. A desire to be fulfilled. Yet, we walk in darkness, not knowing what it is that will fulfill us. Make us complete. We try and fill the holes in our hearts with the things that we see.
My friends, it doesn’t have to be this way. You and I will never be satisfied by the things of this world. This isn’t our home! This is one step on a journey of eternity. Everything that you gather, on this walk of life, will perish and turn to dust one day. When you are at the end of this life, in this world, not one thing that you have gathered will be carried with you to your next destination. All that will go with you is what has been deposited into your heart. Where your heart is, so is your treasure (Matthew 6:21). When your heart is filled with love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control then you have a true treasure that will go with you in this life and the next.
There is only one way to be truly fulfilled. That way is Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). It is in Him that we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28). If you haven’t given your life to Jesus and would like to do so right now, then please pray this prayer.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.
Application
The best way that I can apply what I’ve read and learned today is to seek the Lord, always. When I am tempted by the things of this life and the desire to get more, then I need to examine myself, ask God to help me see where I am deficient, and then listen and trust Him.
Prayer
Father, I rejoice and I am glad that you are in my life. I thank you for who you are and what you are doing in and through me. I ask, Father, in the name of Jesus that you will lead me and guide me as I continue to walk with you. Please strengthen me today. Help me, to be honest with myself and with you. Help me to love you and to love people more. That’s the only “more” I need in this life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
