Spiritual Self Destruction

1 Samuel 18:7–16; 19:18–24

Saul’s story is a lesson about the dangers of going against God’s plans. His jealousy of David, who God chose to be the next king, led him down a path of resentment, obsession, and disrespect for God’s word. This shows us how harmful sin can be. It reminds me of C.S. Lewis’s book “The Great Divorce,” where he talks about the importance of letting go of the things that hold us back from God.

1. Jealousy

Jealousy can stop us from seeing the good in others and make us feel happy when they are hurt or sad when they succeed. It makes us think everything is about us and stops us from being happy for others. But the gospel teaches us to fight against jealousy by being kind and by remembering that God is never jealous. We should be happy when others are blessed, even if they don’t seem to deserve it.

2. Slavery

Saul’s desire to stay king made him act badly towards David, who he saw as a threat. This shows how wanting something too much can control and harm us. If we put anything – like our family, job, or the need for approval – before God, it can lead to harm. We can only live a good life if we put God first.

3. Blasphemy

When Saul tried to kill David and fought against the prophets, he was going against God’s will and His Word. But God’s Word still showed the truth, proving that God can use anyone, even those who are far from Him. To truly connect with God, we need to love His will and let His Word guide us. This reminds us that God accepts and loves us, even when we sin.