Like A Shot of Novocaine

536- Before we begin, I feel it is necessary to warn parents with young children at this time that this material is only suitable for adults. The biblical commentator Matthew Henry had this to say about this portion of Scripture: this is “a subject not fit to be enlarged upon nor indeed to be mentioned without blushing, that ever any man should be so vile,” But the Bible doesn't sugar coat life, even when it is at it ugliest moments, so parents, beware as we progress through this portion of Scripture verse by verse. I read from 2Sa 13:20 “And Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart." So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. (2 Sam 13:20) Absalom picks up on the behavior of his sister. He puts two and two together and realizes that Amnon has violated his sister, and then dumped her. He tries to give her a word of encouragement by saying that it wasn't her fault. It was her brother who had betrayed her trust. But it was of little comfort to Tamar who remained desolate in Absalom's house. The word “desolate means, “stunned or stupefied.” It is to “grow numb.” Think about the effect that this had on Absalom who watched his sister's feelings being numbed day by day because of what Amnon had done to her. The pot of his anger and thoughts of revenge were being stirred day by day. Think about the emotional state of Tamar. Think of what this one lustful act of Amnon's did to her emotional state. It was like giving her emotions a shot of novocaine and putting the light of her soul on the wrong side of the dimmer switch. No wonder Paul reminded Timothy in 2Ti 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts;” Amnon did not flee his youthful lusts and look what happened! Is it any wonder why God's Word reserves sexual activity for husband and wife? Does God forgive illicit sexual activity? You know the answer is yes. There is no sin that Jesus did not pay for on the cross. Come to Jesus, confess your sin. Receive His forgiveness and then go and sin no more. Father guard us from youthful lusts. Let Your Spirit reign in us and not our flesh.