Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 13:1-22
The account of Amnon and Tamar is always a difficult one for me to read. It’s such a tragic situation, and as a woman, my heart aches as I think about Tamar. Even so, we can learn from these recorded circumstances.
Here are some of the lessons I noted as I read through and considered this difficult and heart-rending account of 2 Samuel 13:1-22:
- Continuing to dwell on something that’s a temptation to us is dangerous. The longer we contemplate a temptation, the more likely we are to give into it.
- The people we choose to hang out with will influence our thinking.
- When we fixate on ourselves and attaining our wants and desires, sinful thinking and actions will follow.
- Unchecked sin will continue to progress and grow.
- Our sin always impacts and hurts other people.
What stood out to me most from this account was the danger of harboring and operating with a selfish heart and attitude. Amnon’s only concern was Amnon and what he wanted. And as he continued to fixate on himself and his feelings, he gave in to his sinful desires, which then grew into an out of control fire that ended tragically with the rape and disgraceful discarding of Tamar.
What lesson about temptation and giving into sin stood out to you, and why? What does this passage show about how our thinking and actions are influenced by what we see and choose to view (Tamar was beautiful; Amnon watched her as she baked the bread for him)? Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
