1 Samuel 13:11
“And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I
saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not
within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves
together at Michmash;”
A person doesn't always have to commit the crime to be guilty, but
contributing to the crime in some manner makes them an accessory to the
crime. Likewise, it is not always the person who commits the sin who is
the only guilty one, but oftentimes there was someone who contributed to
their sin. The person who contributes to one’s sin may not be a bad
person, but some action or inaction caused them to be an accessory to
the sin.
One of the overlooked parts of Saul’s sinful sacrifice was that he
did this because Samuel did not come at the appointed time. Saul was
ultimately responsible for his own actions, but because Samuel didn't
keep an appointment and his word, another man committed a sin. If Samuel
had been there when he said he would, Saul would have never been
tempted to do wrong. Samuel’s lapse of character caused him to be an
accessory to the sin.
You must always be careful that you don't become an accessory to
another’s sin. You may not think that one action is that important, but
it was important to Saul doing right. It would be a terrible thing to
let one action contribute to another losing the blessings of God. When I
look at this story, I see some things that can contribute to another’s
sin.
First, not keeping your word can contribute to another’s sin. If
you tell someone you are going to do something, then you had better do
it. For instance, if you tell someone you are going to pray for them,
then pray for them. Your word can mean a lot to someone and when you
don't keep it, it could cause someone to make a wrong decision.
Second, not keeping your appointments can contribute to another’s
sin. Samuel probably never thought that not getting to where he was
supposed to be on time would cause Saul to yield to peer pressure, but
it did. If you tell someone you are going to be somewhere at a certain
time, then you need to be sure to be where you said you would be. I know
this may seem petty, but if it contributed to Saul’s sin, then it can
contribute to another’s sin.
Third, a lapse in your personal character can contribute to
another’s sin. Samuel on the whole was a good man, but one lapse of
character caused another to fall. Friend, you must do everything in your
power to do right all the time. One lapse of judgment can influence
another to make a wrong decision. One time of acting out of your
character can impact someone’s life. You would never want your lapse of
character to influence anyone for wrong.
Finally, you must always remember that you are ultimately
responsible for your own actions. Just because someone else didn't do
right doesn't give you an excuse to do wrong. You are to do right all
the time. Another's wrong action is never a permission to sin. Do right
all the time and you will never allow another to influence you for
wrong, and you will not influence another for wrong either.