Setting Sin’s Stage
Daily Old Testament Reading: 2 Samuel 11-12
Daily Focus Passage: 2 Samuel 11
David carries the title "man after God's own heart," yet he did not live a perfect life. He struggled against the temptations of the flesh like each of us. In 2 Samuel 11, we find this truth as David falls prey to the temptation of the flesh with his adultery with Bathsheba. We learn at least four truths about the spiral of sin in this event in David's life.
STAYING IN THE WRONG PLACE
First, David stayed in Jerusalem when he should have journeyed with his army. The Bible is clear that David stayed in the comfort of his home instead of going to war like was custom to do. This placed David in the wrong place to fulfill his calling as king.
When we ignore the Lord's leading and neglect to be in the right places, we set ourselves up to face temptation and fall prey to sin. When we dwell in the wrong place, we allow improper influences to dominate our lives. We must analyze if we are staying in the wrong places.
LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Second, David allowed his eyes to gaze into the wrong places. Since David did not travel to the front lines, he opened the opportunity to gaze over the city of Jerusalem with pride. As he gazed in the wrong place, he caught the vision of a bathing Bathsheba. Staying in the wrong place set the stage for gazing into the wrong place, which set the spiral of sin into motion.
We tempt the flesh when we allow our eyes to gaze into the wrong places. Gazing into the wrong places may seem innocent, but the material seen frames the perspective of life and cause stumbling. We must evaluate if we gaze into the wrong places.
ACTING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Third, David continued the sin spiral as he moved from being in the wrong place and looking to the wrong place to acting in the wrong place. David brought Bathsheba to his palace and acted upon the temptation he faced. The adultery occurred due to David's steps that put him in a bad position.
Our actions often occur due to being in and looking in the wrong places. We fall prey to the acts of sin fueled by previous disobedience. What action of sin is in your life because of being in or looking into the wrong places?
COVERING FROM THE WRONG PLACE
Fourth, David attempted to use his position and power to cover his sinful activity. David tried to cover his sin through his inviting Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, home to spend time with her. As Uriah refused to stay with Bathsheba, David used his power and position to rid of the complication.
We must analyze our lives and see where we attempt to hide our sins. When we hide sin, we recognize its presence but fail to own and deal with it. What steps could you take to guard against this act of covering sin, and how can you set guardrails to help stop a slippery slope of sin or set the stage for sin?
