"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... Then David
sent messengers to get her. She came to him and he slept with her." 2 Samuel 11:2
As we read this story, we see the series of decisions that led to David succumbing to temptation. First, he stayed home from battle. Next, we see David getting up from his bed in the early evening and walking around on the roof.
It was a common practice in those days for people to bathe on their roof. When you understand that practice, you realize that David in his restlessness is perhaps looking for trouble. He convinces himself that he just wants to go up to the roof, but, it’s as if he is putting himself in temptations path. At first glance it might appear that David gave in to a moment of temptation. However, if you give the text a longer look, you can see that it is really a
series of temptations and decisions that led him to give into temptation.
David has to send for messengers with instruction to go get Bathsheba. All along the way he was making decisions and acting upon the temptation that has ensnared him. He then makes decisions flowing out of desire that has been aroused by temptation.
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to
Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your
obedience is complete." 2 Cor. 10:5-6
This week, instead of just trying to stop giving in to temptation, lets go after the thoughts that lead to temptation. Realize that we, like David, find temptation hitting us with a series of decisions. We struggle with thoughts that are like red flags, that are tempting us to make decisions that would lead us into sin.
What thoughts and actions are red flags where you know that you need to take charge of your thought life and invite the Lord to reign
in your thoughts?
In 2 Cor.10:5-6 Paul is telling us that we have the power to take control of our thoughts and to demolish strongholds in our lives.
Spiritual exercise to deal with temptation
1. Begin by sitting quietly in a comfortable position.
2. Invite the presence of the Lord into this exercise. Spend time with God in your safe place. Realize that temptation is a real danger and you need a safe place with God. This is a place you can flee to in order to overcome temptation.
3. Now, before the Lord, admit the temptations you struggle with. Temptation is real. It is not if you are tempted but a matter of when you are
tempted.
4. Remember, where the temptation comes from. God does not tempt anyone, the apostle James tells us. Temptation is so hard for us because it arises out of our own desires. Meditate on these verses from James. We saw that for David, there was a progression from temptation to sin and eventually to death, the death of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. Ask God to show you the progression that temptation has had in your life. Journal what you learn. Think about the evil desires that you have (and we all have them) that lead you to sin. What red flags arise that suggest that you are facing temptation.
5. Remember that temptation is normal. Though it is not a subject that we like; temptation is part of the Christian life. One of Satan’s biggest lies is to make you think that something is wrong with you if you are going through temptation. Temptation is our cue to run to the Lord and to His presence.
6. Spend time in the presence of the Lord. Ask Jesus to give you insight into your areas of temptation. Commit to Jesus that you will flee to Him the next time you see the red flag of temptation.
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one
is tempted by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after
desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives
birth to death." - James 1:13-15
Discussion Questions for Growth Groups
1. What is the difference between temptation and sin?
2. Think of a story when you let one temptation lead to another which lead
to another that ultimately lead to sin like David and Bathsheba? Why is it
so difficult to stop the process of temptation once you allow it to start?
3. Why will condemnation never make you a better person?
4. Pastor Mike told us that since we now belong to Christ, that temptation
is simply Satan's temporary attempt to grab us. How can our understanding
that it is a temporary grab change how we understand temptation as it
relates to our identity?
5. What is a Biblical understanding of permanent or lasting freedom? Why is
simply restraining my passions and lusts not enough?
6. Remember Pastor Mike's analogy of the power source for his laptop. How
do you unplug from Satan's power source and plug into the power source of
the Holy Spirit?
