Kings tried to take his life. He stood toe-to-toe with an armed giant who terrified entire armies. He walked by faith in situations that would make many run in fear. Almighty God called him a “man after my own heart.” Yet, in spite of his history of godly character and tremendous faith, David let down his guard and gave in to his sinful desires by taking another man’s wife and then covering it up with murder.
His sin brought about pain and hardship for Bathsheba, destroyed a family, caused the death of a man and a baby, and tarnished his good reputation. Second Samuel begins with victory after victory in David’s life, only to build up to his dramatic fall in chapter 11.
If there were ever a human I’d think incapable of such atrocities, it’d be David. This is the man who wouldn’t lay a hand on the king though he had him trapped…twice. God promised him that the Messiah would come from his line therefore his kingdom would never end. We’re not talking about a minor character, but the very man who established Jerusalem as the capital and gathered resources for his son to build the temple. One can’t think about the history of Israel without considering the golden age under the reign of King David.
Yet this story reminds us that every human is capable of falling into sin. None of us are immune to giving in to our fleshy desires, and we are all one bad choice away from causing much destruction.
Prone to Fall
Paul teaches that the negative examples from Old Testament are meant to teach us “that we might not desire evil as they did” (10:6). He then warns the Corinthians: “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (10:12). It doesn’t matter if you’re a new believer or a seasoned believer, a pastor or infrequent church attender, any one of us can allow sin to grip our heart if we are not actively fighting against it. Past faithfulness doesn’t ensure future victory over sin.
Such warning should awaken us to the serious reality of sin, yet not leave us hopeless. Though our flesh is weak, Paul tells the Corinthians in the very next verse:
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 he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (10:13).
There’s an off-ramp to escape each time we are tempted. Sometimes we don’t feel it, sometimes we may miss it, but it’s always there. By the Spirit’s power at work in us, we can say no…but it’s a daily battle of repentance and confession.
Fork in the Road
Everyday, all throughout our day, we choose which path we will walk. Paul tells us there are two choices: “But, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). He’s obviously talking to believers, otherwise they wouldn’t have the Spirit. But, even with the Spirit, they still have fleshly desires. While we can grow and mature in the faith, we are not able to completely get rid of our sin nature until Christ gives us new bodies.
The desires of the Spirit and the flesh oppose one another (v. 17). We all face external temptations, but our biggest problem is our very own heart that’s prone to wander.
Start in the Heart
David’s quick, downward progression after seeing Bathsheba bathing was built on a lifestyle of giving in to his sexual desires. While having many wives was culturally acceptable, it was a violation of God’s design and an opportunity for David to satisfy every sexual craving with no self-control (Gen. 2:24). Kings of Israel were to exemplify God’s design of one wife (Deut. 17:17).
But, rather than building a relationship of love, trust, and emotional availability with one woman, David could shuffle through his wives like an Amazon wishlist to find just want he desired in the moment. When the opportunity came to take Bathsheba, it wasn’t abnormal for him to give in to his appetite without restraint.
Too often, we read headlines about Christian leaders who commit major, public sins. These can often be presented as one-time mistakes or a moment of weakness in a tempting situation. It’s probably more often the case that unchecked sin percolated behind the scenes until it finally culminated in a major transgression. Thoughts not taken captive, habits not confessed, or struggles that are minimized end up morphing into juicy headlines that bring disrepute upon Christ and his church.
Wage War
This should serve as a warning to us. Don’t make peace with your sin, even though it may seem “small.” Don’t dabble in sin thinking you have it under control. Know that sin continues to lead us down a darker and darker path until we do things we’d never think we were capable of doing. If David, a man after God’s own heart, can fall, then so can you and I.
But, we don’t have to. God gives us his Spirit, he provides a way out, and he gives us brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us and help us. Be vulnerable to those around you. Don’t let sin fester in the darkness, bring it to the light. Wage war. When we confess and repent, God forgives us and we can begin the healing process.
Take heed when you think you stand, lest you fall.
AMEN!