Carnality of Abraham

Genesis 20. This chapter teaches us that believers do sin. Of course we found out yesterday that Lot was a believer (from the NT- 2 Pet.2:7-8), but he was so carnal he looked like the world. Abraham, on the other hand, is a believer of character and integrity. When you meet him you know instantly that he is a believer. You walk away from Abraham knowing, without any doubt, that he is a Yahweh worshiper. But this chapter shows us once again that genuine believers do have laspes in faith.
What did this one lie cost Abraham? First, it cost him character. He also lost his testimony. How could Abraham talk to his pagan neighbors about the God of truth when he himself had told a lie? Lot lost his witness in Sodom, and Abraham lost his witness in Gerar. He also lost his ministry, for instead of being a source of blessing (Gen.12:1-3), he was the cause of judgment. While Abraham was in Gerar, no babies were born (Gen.20:17-18).
What did Abraham do? He repented of his sin. The fact that God answered his prayer for Abimelech is evidence that Abraham confessed his sins and that the Lord had forgiven him (Psalm 66:18-20). We must deal with our sins humbly and honestly, confessing them to God and forsaking them, and then claim His promises of forgiveness (1 John 1:9; Micah 7:18-19; Isaiah 55:6-13). Abraham and Sarah made a new beginning and so can you.