1 Samuel 24:1-22

Overcome Evil with Good

There’s a poem that talks about the reality of the two nature that exists inside of a Christian.

”Two natures beat within my breast. The one is foul, the one is blessed. The one I love, the one I hate. The one I feed will dominate".

You got two natures, all of us, and your old nature's still with you. When you get saved, you get a new nature, but the old one doesn't go away. So, guess what? After you become a Christian, you still have the tendencies to sin. When someone do evil to us, we have the tendency to repay evil with evil. Nahitabo naba ni nimo? When someone do evil to us, we can react and repay the person with the same evil OR respond by doing what is right and pleasing to God.

That is what happened to David. He was a victim of the evil of Saul. But how David responded to Saul’s evil is something that we can emulate.

Go with me to 1 Samuel 24:1-22 , we will read and then we will pray.

I have entitled this morning’s sermon “Overcome evil with Good”.

I. 1 - Introduction - Saul learned about David’s hideout.

Saul has many spies and he will not rest until he gets what he wants.

II. 2: Problem - Saul took his massive army to hunt and kill David and his men.

Saul can’t wait to capture and kill David.

Saul is really afraid of David (3000 vs 600)

III. 3-7 - Rising Action - David had the opportunity to kill Saul but decided not to harm Saul

Was it a coincidence that Saul relieved himself in the save cave that David and his men were hiding/staying?

What is conscience? God is at work in orchestrating the events in our lives that leads to opportunities whether to do what is right or do what is wrong.

- Would you take the opportunity to kill the person who wanted you killed? Listening to your conscience is for your good.

- What if David listened to his men? Lesson: Test the words of men before you believe.

David protected Saul from his men who desires to eliminate the man who tries to kill them- Overcome evil with good. You will know the heart of a person by his actions.

IV. 8-15 - Climax - David showed himself to Saul to prove that he has no intention of harming Saul and that his heart and his conscience is pure before God.

Godly character of David:

v.8 - David has respect for Saul - “My lord the King”, “David bowed his face to the ground”, “prostrated himself”.

v.9 - Why listen to the words of men?

v.10. God gave you into my hand -David , but my eye had pity on you

v.10. I chose not to harm the Lord’s anointed

v.11 - there is no evil or rebellion in my hand

v.11. I have not sinned against you.

v.12. David appeals to God as the righteous judge. (God’s knows the truth!)

Timeless Truth: - The man with clear conscience can face any opposition.

- When we do what is right, God will deliver justice.

V. 16-21 - Falling action (resolution) - Saul repented of his sins against David

Repentance - You are more righteous than I, I have dealt wickedly with you - Saul (v.17)

Acknowledgement - The Lord delivered me into your hand and yet you did not kill me - Saul (v.18)

Admission - I KNOW you shall surely be king (v.20)

Fear - Swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants (v.21)

VI. 22 - Conclusion - Saul agreed not to harm David and they parted ways.

David swore to Saul. Saul went home. David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Why didn’t David went home with Saul and go back to his wife? David had forgiven Saul but he had not fully trusted Saul. True enough, Saul tries to kill David again in Chapter 26.

What: David showed to be a better man and king because he was able to control himself by not killing Saul. He chose to do what is right and pleasing to God.

Why: To show that David’s character is fit for a king.

Where is the The Gospel: David Swore to Saul. David chose to forgive Saul. David chose to overcome evil with good. How can David easily forgive Saul despite Saul’s evil actions towards him?

In the same way, we can ask ourselves how can Jesus forgive me despite my sins and the sins that I will commit in the future?

JESUS FORGIVES US when we repent of our SINS.

This is the Gospel - Jesus died on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins and he will forgive us our sins when we repent of our sins and believe in Him as our Lord and Savior.

This is the Gospel - The death of Jesus is sufficient to pay for my past, present, and future sins.

Colossians 2:13–14“13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

Notice: having forgiven us all our transgressions, having cancelled out.

Hebrews 10:10 “10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Hebrews 10:14 “14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

Hebrews 10:17–18 “17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

The biblical evidence shows that Jesus died for our past, present, and future sins. If you are still uncertain, or if you are worried that you are not forgiven, then God wants to give you assurance today.

Overcoming Evil with Good

Maintain Integrity

Wait for God’s Timing

Leave vengeance and vindication of evil in God’s hands.

Overcoming Evil with Good

I. Maintain Integrity

Resist the temptation to impose our will over God’s will. God had already promised David to become King. David did not force the issue.

Let us resist following the voice of others without comparing them to the voice of God.

Let us resist following our ways instead let us follow God’s way - which is right and orderly.

If we will not maintain integrity:

We will lose our testimony

We will offend God.

We will forfeit God’s blessings.

1 Peter 3:16 NIV

16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Philippians 4:8–9 NASB95

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Application:

Chose to do what is right and pleasing to God. (chose to forgive, be kind, pure, loving, honorable)

Listen and follow the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

II. Wait for God’s Timing

Yes, God allows a time of waiting. David had to wait 20 years before he became King. David had to go through different situations, mostly difficult ones in order to develop His character and trust in God. But God has been guiding, sustaining, providing, protecting, preserving David in order to fulfill His promise!

We are all waiting for God to answer our prayers - healing, provision, success, prosperity, removal of suffering, etc…In times of waiting, God is doing something to us - making us more dependent upon Him!

Know that God’s appointed time will come and His timing is perfect!

Application:

Avoid rush decisions by lifting them to the Lord many times.

Focus on God’s daily blessings no matter how little.

III. Leave vengeance and vindication of evil in God’s hands.

We can’t control if others will do evil to us but we can control our response to evil.

As Christians we are called to overcome evil with good. To seek what is good for others - even to your enemy.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 NASB95

15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

The Bible is clear that revenge belongs to the Lord.

Romans 12:19 NLT

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.

This verse frees us from the burden of taking justice into our own hands.

Since God is going to take up your cause and see to it that justice is done, you can lay it down. You don’t have to carry anger and bitterness and resentment and revenge. Jesus warned that an unforgiving heart will destroy you in the end (Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” )

When we avenge ourselves, we are showing that we don’t trust God to do what is right and it shows that we carry the burden of guilt, bitterness, and resentment.

Application:

Communicate to the person what he or she has done wrong to you and seek reconciliation.

Include the person who wronged you in your prayers.

Conclusion:

The message is clear, let us not allow evil to control our life. Let us overcome evil with good.

But the reality is that, If you don’t have Christ, you don’t have the power to overcome evil with good. Brethren, let us continue to hold on to Christ and everyday live a life of dependence to God so that we will be able to resist evil thoughts and evil desires, through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.