Note: This is the seventh article in a series called Overcoming the Five Failures of Us. Previous articles are always available at http://www.webbweekly.com.

This is an important article — especially for a good man. Why? Because only a good man can suffer a scandalous moral failure. When evil men do evil things, no one notices, but when a good man does something evil, everyone notices. If you’re a good man, then I strongly encourage you to read this article.

Moral failures happen every day. There are reasons why they happen. The reasons are not excuses — there is never any excuse for a moral failure. However, learning the reasons why moral failures happen can be a tremendous protection for a good man.

Let’s jump in:

Moral failure is always possible. We are all vulnerable. Gravity affects everyone. If you think you can defy gravity, you’re already en route to a moral failure.

Moral failure is always predictable. The journey toward moral failure always travels the same pathway. There is nothing new here. The devil has been utilizing the same tricks since Adam and Eve.

Moral failure is always preventable. Because a moral failure is predictable, it is also preventable. God’s Word makes that promise in I Corinthians 10:13, Ephesians 6:10-18, and Romans 14:4. A good man can live a good life and finish well.

We cannot claim the devil made us do something. God has promised us that we can stand against temptation. Doing so requires God’s grace, but it also requires education and determination. This article is intended to provide education. Determination is up to you. I pray you have it.

I am using King David’s story with Bathsheba, found in II Samuel 11, as an illustration. If you’re unfamiliar with this scandalous story, reading it first will be very helpful.

Here is the pathway that leads toward moral failure:
1. Vulnerability – Everyone has vulnerabilities — and we don’t get to choose them. No one escapes gravity, not even you. David’s life story reveals he was clearly vulnerable to women.

2. Intensification – The various factors that intensify our vulnerabilities, leaving us more susceptible to temptation. David had just concluded an extremely successful war campaign. Rest after an intense season intensified his vulnerability. Yes, success can intensify vulnerability — and every successful man needs to be aware of it. Again, only a good man can fall.

3. Opportunity – A temptation that presents itself during a time of intensified vulnerability. He saw Bathsheba at the most inopportune time.

4. Rationalization – Reasons and arguments we employ to self-justify a scandalous decision. David figured he deserved a little pleasure after leading so sacrificially and successfully. Have you ever felt that way?

5. Blackout – The inability to consider the destructive and far-reaching consequences of a moral failure. The blackout stage is dangerous. We’ve all experienced it. David wasn’t thinking about Uriah or Israel or what was best for Bathsheba. For a moment, all he could think of was himself.

6. Freefall – The exhilaration experienced when crossing a moral line. Let’s be honest: sin is exciting for a moment. I don’t need to go into detail here — you get the point.

7. Awareness/Impact – The sudden return of the ability to consider the consequences of failure. What was I thinking? What have I done? For David, that moment came when Bathsheba reported she was pregnant.

8. Cover-up – The extensive methods utilized to conceal failure. David compounds his moral failure by committing moral failure. It is one of the worst stories in the entire Bible. David’s evil schemes worked — he got away with it.

9. Exposure – The failure and cover-up become known to others. God sends Nathan the Prophet to expose David’s sin. Listen closely — God loves you, and He has a purpose for your life. He will not let you get away with evil. Friend, you will be caught and exposed. I have warned you.

10. Fallout – The full consequences of the failure amplified by the anger, disappointment, and grief of the victims. Bathsheba was a victim. So was her dead baby. So was Israel. When we fall, a lot of people suffer — even generations yet unborn. Give that some thought before you travel the pathway toward failure.

11. Fixing – The desperate effort of the fallen to make things right. Moral failure destroys lives. When something is destroyed, it is lost. It can never be fixed or made right. David fasted and prayed for God to fix his failure. It didn’t work. Moral failure can only be redeemed. We’re going to talk about redemption in the next article.

12. Regret – The self-loathing guilt and bitterness that weighs on the fallen, producing a downward spiral of self-defeating and self-destructive decisions. Thankfully, David doesn’t fall into Satan’s regret trap. Judas took Satan’s bait and committed suicide. David decides to travel the pathway toward redemption. Again, we’ll focus on redemption next week.

Until then, know this: there is always hope. God’s grace can buy back what we have destroyed. God is not done with you. If you’re still reading this article, then it is proof that God is investing grace in you. Don’t give up — redemption is always possible! No one escapes God’s grace, not even you.

Where are you on the pathway to moral failure? I urge you to think about the direction in which you are heading. You now know where it leads, so you can no longer claim ignorance. If you keep moving in the direction of failure, then you are being arrogant and reckless. I pray you change direction. Do it today — or it may be too late.