ODJ: vulnerable

August 10, 2013 

READ: 2 Samuel 11:1-17 

But the Lord was displeased with what David had done (v.27).

David was commended by God as “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22). But when I think of David, two significant events surface: when he took down Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32-50), and when he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-5). One showed David’s victorious faith; the other his notorious sin and defeat.
Because David had been undefeated for the past 20 years, he was overconfident and negligent in his vigilance when he chose not to lead his men to war (v.1). He was indulgent, snoozing in bed until the evening (v.2). When he got up, he saw “a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath” (v.2). This is a caution for men to be careful what they view (Job 31:1; Proverbs 6:25; Matthew 5:27-29).

The servant gave David a veiled warning: “She is Bathsheba, . . . the wife of Uriah” (2 Samuel 11:3). She was a married woman! But David was unrestrained in his sexual pursuits (Deuteronomy 17:17; 2 Samuel 5:13). He didn’t tame his sexual lust (vv.3-4). As king, he believed he was accountable to no one (Deuteronomy 17:19-20).

But Bathsheba became pregnant (2 Samuel 11:5). So David tried to make it look like Uriah was the father (vv.6-13). When that failed, he plotted Uriah’s death (vv.14-15). David broke five commandments: adultery, stealing, murder, lying and coveting (Exodus 20:13-17).

If a spiritual giant like David could sin so grievously, surely you and I are equally capable of similar or worse failures (1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 6:1). So let’s admit we’re vulnerable and call out for God’s strength. By His grace, we will resist temptation when it calls (Romans 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10). —K.T. Sim

John 10:1-18 ‹

MORE
Read Proverbs 6:20-29, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22 and see what God says about sexual temptation. Read Genesis 39:11-12 to see how Joseph overcame it.  
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Carefully examine your relationships. How can you prepare yourself to resist sexual temptation?