Have you ever thought about how easy it is to give into temptation? Today, I want us to take a look at the story about King David and see what we can learn about temptation and giving into it!
From this story we will learn that there's really only 3 small steps that will lead you into giving into the temptation that you are facing. The story is found in 2 Samuel 11:1-5. You're probably very familiar with the story. It's the story of David and Bathsheba.
"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” 2 Samuel 11:1-5 (NIV)
3 Steps To Giving Into Temptation
Step 1: Not Being Where You're Suppose To Be
Let's take a look at verse 1 to gain an understanding about this first step.
"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem."
Right here in this verse we see that King David should have been off to war with his soldiers but for whatever reason he decided not to go but to remain in Jerusalem. The first step to giving into any temptation is simply that:
You're not where you're suppose to be and not doing what you're suppose to be doing!
For King David that was to be at war fighting his enemies. For us it might be getting home and taking care of our family or being at work making a living. Personally, I have found I am most drawn to a temptation when I am not where I am suppose to be.
If David had simply been where he was suppose to be the whole temptation would never have happened. If he had been at war with his men, like he should have been, he never would have seen Bathsheba bathing, therefore he never would have lusted after her and never would have sent for her.
Being where you're suppose to be prevents a whole lot of temptation.
Step 2: Having To Much Time On Your Hands
"One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing." (vs 2)
Now I have question for you. Why was David not able to sleep and why was he walking around on the roof of his palace? The answer is simple. Because he wasn't where he was suppose to be and he had to much time on his hands. He was bored and didn't know what to do with himself.
There's old wise saying that really apply's to this point. It goes like this:
"Idle hands is the devils work shop."
The truth of the matter is simple this, if you don't fill your time with something constructive to do you'll usually get yourself involved in something destructive. When do children get into the most trouble? When they don't have anything to do! It's not only true for children but it's also true for adult and Christian adults as well.
Even if you have a day off, you should have, at least, a general plan of things to do so that Satan can't take advantage of your boredom and tempt you with something that you will regret later.
Step 3: Instead Of Fleeing Temptation You Pursue The Temptation
"From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her." (v. 3)
Here it is! David is at the moment of truth! He see a beautiful woman who is bathing. What is he going to do? Or, better yet, what should David do? Take a look at these Bible verses and discover what the proper action David should have taken.
- "Run from temptation that captures temptation ..." (2 Timothy 2:22a)
- "Flee from sexual immorality ..." 1 Cor. 6:18
- "Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry." 1 Cor. 10:14
What do all three of these verse have in common? They all talk about running away from or fleeing from temptation. But what did King David do? Did he flee or run away from what he was seeing from his roof top? No, instead of running away from it he actually pursued it.
David's pursuit was to send someone to find out who she was and once he found out that her husband was away at war (where King David should have been) he thought he could have her and not get caught.
How often have we done the same thing with the things we are tempted by? We see the temptation and instead of running away by getting our minds occupied with things that will be productive, we contemplate how nice the temptation looks, how much pleasure it would bring and then we try to figure out how how close we can get to it without getting snatched up by it.
Here's the problem! Once we fail to immediately turn and run and decide to linger and ponder the possibilities of that sin, we are already caught.
Here's the solution to temptation:
- Be Where You're Suppose To Be!
- Have Your Day Planned With Constructive Activities!
- When Temptation Reveals Itself RUN!