WHO REMEMBERS SHIMEI? Not “Shmi”, that’s Anakin’s mom. I’m talking about Shimei. You might remember him if you read 2 Samuel. He’s the guy who publicly (and continually) cursed king David and threw stones at the king when in the days David’s son Absalom led a rebellion and usurped the throne from his father. Shimei followed after David as he was leaving the city, publicly cursing him and throwing stones.
It must have been terrible scene, a horrific and incredibly humiliating time for David. Because of David’s heart for the Lord, he would not allow any of his mighty men to kill Shimei, although they could have very easily. Abishai as usual, was ready and willing to defend the king. David commanded him to let Shimei be and let him do what he’s going to do. After a time, Absalom was killed and David returned to the throne. Shimei came to ask forgiveness.
Whether or not he was truly repentant, we are not told, perhaps he just feared the king. Whatever the reason, David extended forgiveness to him. Fast forward to David’s son Solomon. David dies, Solomon is made king and begins making some reparations. Solomon calls for Shimei and gives him strict instructions, which he violates and brings upon himself a death sentence, “The king (Solomon) also said, “You yourself know all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore, the Lord has brought back your evil on your head”, 1 Kings 2:44 HCSB
What can we learn from this? Numbers records something that always rings in my ears, “be sure your sin will find you out”, “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23 The nature of sin is such that, whether or not others discover your sin, your sin will “discover you.” You cannot run from the consequences.
Sin carries within itself the power to pay the sinner back, and sin’s payback is hell and destruction. We are promised many times in Scripture that if we repent, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cast our sin as far as the East is from the West; but apologizing because you got caught is not repentance. Even so, there’s often consequences although you’ve repented. If there’s no sorrow over your sin; your “sorry” means nothing. I’m guessing Shimei wasn’t repentant, he was just “sorry”.
Secondly, what you do publicly has serious consequences. With today’s social media, many make their sin public. Many publicly shame and accuse others, sometimes by name. Even a passive-aggressive posting about someone, or something, let’s say a church for example; is a public shaming. I can’t tell how how many times this has been done to my husband, myself and our church; but every other pastor and church I know has had the same similar public shaming. We keep silent.
Most know who or what you’re talking about, such as it is in today’s social media world. These “Shimei’s” don’t try very hard to hide their disdain. Be sure your sin will find you out. Galatians gives us another warning, “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap,” Galatians 6:7 Paul tells the CHURCH, “Do not be deceived! Whatever you sow, you will reap”. It’s very plain and clear to me. Scripture doesn’t mince words. Yet, many often deceive themselves and justify their actions. 99.9999% of the time, it’s over an offense.
Lastly, where is your fear of the Lord? This concept is foreign in the American church. You have been fed way too much false doctrine and cheap grace. You don’t really know the Lord. A lot of things I discipline my flesh to not do because I know one day I will give an account of all my actions and my words. I want to retaliate and defend; but I don’t. I can’t. God is my Defender.
If you’re paying attention, that day is fast approaching. Be careful friend that you don’t slander anyone, let alone publicly shame them. You will reap a harvest from either the righteousness you sow, or the sin and shame you sow. Receive instruction today and keep silent. “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1 Is God not big enough to defend you? If you have been truly wronged, does He not see? And if He sees, will He not do what He said He would do?
If you are harboring an offense, be quick to repent. And for the love of all that’s holy, do not make your offense public! You will pay greatly for your lack of discretion. You are not the victim. Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb and you were His accuser. How can you accuse anyone for anything? Repent in sack cloth and ashes before the Lord and Creator of all things and He will abundantly pardon. #runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
