Sin’s appealing invitation hides its insidious trap as it allures the vulnerable. Take King David in this familiar story, for instance.
It was spring, the time of year when kings in the ancient Middle East went to battle. But instead of going to war, King David remained in Jersalem. One evening, David walked on the rooftop of the king’s palace which towered over the modest houses around. He saw a beautiful woman bathing. Temptation! Temptation itself is not a sin – but the response to it determines if it is sin or not.
David chooses to yield to temptation and asks who the woman was. “Is this not Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah?” one of the servants answered. Red Flag! She is married to a faithful soldier who is fighting for Israel, David!
David ignored the warning. He sent messengers to get Bathsheba. The Bible does not say how she responded to being summoned by the king for his pleasure. She may have been fearful of going against the king’s authority or she may not have imagined what was in store for her. After her encounter with the king, she returned home.
The situation revved up when she sent a message to the king saying she was pregnant.
David’s mind flew into action. He summond Uriah to come home from the battle. His plan was that Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba and would think the baby was his. But Uriah refused by saying, “The commander and the army are sleeping in the open fields, and I am to go to my house? I will not do such a thing.”
David had neglected his battle duties and stole the wife of one of his best soldiers while his warriors risked their lives for him, but that did not deter him. He was desperate! He wrote a letter to Joab, the commander, saying to send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle and to withdraw all the men leaving Uriah to stand alone so that he would be killed. Then he took Bathsheba as his wife thinking that would cover his sin.
“Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23
David managed to conceal his sin from the people, but not from God. The thing that David had done displeased the Lord and David paid the severe consequences. 2 Samuel 11:27
Everyone has a free will to do whatsoever they want, but noone will escape the consequences.
So why is this story of temptation and crossing the line in the Bible? Is it not to reveal the dire consequences of giving in to temptation?
Why is it relevant for us today? Ask yourself, and I include myself in this question, What do I do when I am faced with temptation? Flirt with temptation a little thinking I will not cross the line? Pay attention to the red flags and pray immediately for strength to resist the devil so he will flee? Preach 1 Corinthians 10:13 to myself: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it?”
The rest of the story: David realized his grievous sin and the constant feeling of shame, guilt and alienation from God. He cried out, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:1-3, 10
God loved David. He loves us. When we come humbly before the Lord and acknowledge our sins and seek His forgiveness, God pours out His grace and forgives us. So if we have succumbed to temptation, take it to the Lord in prayer. When we acknowledge our sins and seek His forgiveness, God forgives us and restores our relationship with Him.
Remember: Temptation is going to happen as long as we live on earth, so we need to be alert to its presence every minute, and stay close to Jesus and His Word continually.
May we love God so passionately that nothing appeals to us that displeases Him.