Christian livingMissionSpiritual Warfare

Sin He a way of creeping in slowly and even gets men after God’s own heart off track.  We often remember David’s accolades but have a tendency to forget about Bathsheba and the loss of a child.  There is an important lesson here about sin and how the enemy works and more importantly how we guard against it. 

Read 2 Samuel 11. 

This chapter comes right after some of David’s mighty victories.  There are two things in this story that help us understand the breeding ground of sin.  The first is captured in the opening verse:

“Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.”

~ ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Did you catch it? At the time when the kings go out to battle David stayed at Jerusalem.  There are times when we are tired, want to give up, and yet there is a mission we are on and a specific vision for our lives. We must not withdraw from that mission, lest we put ourselves at risk of idleness and sin.  Said another way, if our focus wanders from Christ and we stop even for a moment living His mission, and we remove ourselves from active duty, and we have lost the battle already.  We must keep fighting the good fight taking rest in the Lord only along the way.  

By the time we get to verse 4 David has already committed adultery in his heart as well as physically.  The other sad part of this is that the men working with the king willingly participate in helping him carry this out.  It’s not until Nathan challenges him, that he sees the sin that has overtaken him.  Could not any of these men appealed to David’s heart or had David closed his heart to them?

Reflection

So what can we take away?

We must remained focused on the mission with eyes fixed on Christ

We must be connected with others that will hold us accountable and advise us from God’s word.  (Yes this implies we must trust, be humble and vulnerable)

We must also be ready to confess and repent for when we forget these truths.  

Prayer

Father You have searched and known our hearts. For we are capable of much evil.  Help fix our eyes on Jesus and equip us to live out the mission you have for us.  Surround us with godly brothers and sisters in Christ that will speak truth into our hearts even when it hurts and prepare our hearts to receive that truth.  Thank you LORD for Your great love with which You love us through Christ, Amen!