1 Chronicles 10:5
“And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.”
Saul never saw the fallout of sin when he originally rebelled against God. All he saw was the pleasure that sin gave. Yet, the final chapter of sin on Saul’s life was tragic. As he fought against the Philistines, the chief enemy of his life, he succumbed to their power all because of sin. He was struck by their arrows, and when he saw that they were going to capture him, he fell on his sword and died.
If that were the end of the story it would be sad, but tragically that was only part of the end. His armourbearer saw that his leader fell, and because he lost all hope he also fell on his sword and died. The tragic end of a life that should have never ended so early ended because of sin. Sin’s fallout caused this armourbearer to use the excuse of his leader’s fall to commit the same sin and kill himself.
Sin always has a fallout. You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose the consequences of sin. You may enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, but the fallout from sin is always tragic. Sin’s consequences are great, but its fallout is tragic. Others will always be affected by the consequences of your sin. You never know how deep the fingers of sin reach until the consequences from your sin happen. When your sin is discovered and your fall is seen, others will tragically be caught in the fallout. This story of Saul reveals some of the fallout from sin.
First, the fallout of sin causes others to see your failings and lose purpose in their own life. This armourbearer lost all purpose as to why they were in this war. When Saul fell, he thought there was no further purpose to fight. Many people have quit serving the LORD because of a leader’s failure. Before you ever choose to sin, somehow you need to look at how it will cause many to quit serving the LORD. They will one day see how their leader has fallen in sin and believe that there is no purpose for continuing on in their service for the LORD.
Second, the fallout of sin causes others to use your fall as their excuse to sin. When Saul fell on his sword, the armourbearer followed through with the same action. Many people have used the failings of a leader as their excuse to sin. Though this is not a valid excuse, the fact of the matter is that it will become their justification as to why their sin is okay. Friend, you are responsible for your influence on others, and you will not only be responsible for what you have done, but you will also be accountable for what you have influenced others to do.
Let me give a word of caution to those who have seen their leaders fall. When a leader falls, there is still a war to fight. Just because someone else has done wrong does not give you the right to do the same thing. You have to remember that this battle we fight in the Christian life is not about man, but it is all about truth. There are casualties in this war, but you must not allow those casualties to become your excuse to quit or to commit sin. If you will keep your eyes on Christ when others become a casualty of war it will still hurt, but you will continue on because Christ is your focus and truth is your cause.