Read 1 Samuel 24
What causes David to be conscience stricken in verse 5?
What evidence can you find to support the statement that though David assured Saul he would not harm him, he did not absolve him of wrongdoing?
Do you think David believed he could trust Saul after their encounter?
David resisted revenge after all Saul had done to him. David wasn't even sure Saul had the sense to spare the life of his own son (Jonathan) and daughter (Michal). He certainly had no idea how Saul would respond to David's mercy, but David knew that God cut his conscience to the quick when he damaged the corner of Saul's robe. David's change of heart offers four evidences that he was greatly influenced by the Holy Spirit.
1. David's conscience was immediately stricken. One of the most important jobs of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin. When the Holy Spirit dwells in a person, He uses the individual's conscience as the striking ground for conviction. David wasn't just having a guilty conscience. The Spirit of God was working, He evidenced the work of God in his conscience by saying, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing". He was suddenly aware that his actions were displeasing to God. David's standard for measuring sin was not the wickedness of Saul; it was the holiness of God.
2. David met conviction with change in behavior. The Holy Spirit always does His job, but we don't always do ours. As we draw nearer and nearer to God, our sensitivity to conviction and our discernment of wrongdoing will increase. This conviction will be met with a change in behavior.
3. David exercised great restraint. He had the perfect chance to get revenge and he didn't take it. Such a level of restraint could only have been supernatural. The Holy Spirit promotes God's cause in our lives. (Rom. 12:19) The Holy Spirit works restraint in us when we are tempted toward revenge; and if we are fully yielded to the Spirit, we will obey. A moment's revenge is not worth the cost in alienation from God.
4. David respected God more than he desired revenge. David withdrew from taking the life of Saul out of respect for God, not Saul. God did not require David to agree with Saul or to lie down under his feet like a doormat. He did require David's obedience to His methods of dealing with a man who was out of God's will.
If we are willing to honor a person out of respect for God, you can be assured that God will honor you. The temptation to lash out can be unbearable, but the Holy Spirit will be with you promoting restraint out of respect to God.
Scriptures that encourage to exercise restraint:
Ecclesiastes 3:17
1 Peter 3:9
Let the Holy Spirit perform the restraining work and you'll be glad for it....
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