King David, Lust of the Flesh
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.
2 Samuel 11:2-3
David didn’t know this woman and he found out she was married to Uriah, one of his elite soldiers. So why did he send messengers to get her, and sleep with her, when in his heart he knew this was definitely against God’s will? David had beautiful wives, yet he went after the woman of whom God would not approve. Just like Eve, who was told she could eat from any of the trees in the garden with the exception of one, David wanted what he could not have. Eve ate the fruit of the one and only tree that God said she was not to eat from, and King David took Bathsheba, the wife of another man.
For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15). David committed all three sins. The first sin was lust of the eyes when he gazed upon Bathsheba. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful (2 Samuel 11:2). After seeing Bathsheba bathing the lust of the flesh took control of his mind. David was King and the pride of life took control, and then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (2 Samuel 11:4). All three sins were present in David’s life, enticing him to sleep with Bathsheba.
How could David avoid this sin? We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This verse is critical in overcoming sin, especially when we are tempted by the lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh. If we don’t immediately capture the sinful thought, it will quickly gain power in our minds and shut down the Holy Spirit’s conviction. We now continue in the sin with little or no conscience that we are sinning. This is especially true if we are prideful like David was when he chose to sin with Bathsheba.
Therefore, whenever we are tempted, make it a habit to instantly run to God for the power to overcome the desire, to live in truth instead of emotion. This is virtually the only way to overcome it. First, capture the thought with a strong desire to be victorious in Christ, and avoid the consequences of the sin. This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you (2 Samuel 12:11). And, sadly, calamity did strike David’s life as recorded in 2 Samuel. Even if we are forgiven for out sinful behavior, there are often worldly consequences.
Today, be aware of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, because Satan uses these to attack us. Stay close to the Lord in thought and Word, and run to him when tempted in order to be victorious in Christ. Pray in advance for the strength to overcome any temptation that may come your way.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to pray in advance for your power and strength to overcome any temptation I may encounter today. Fill me with peace inside that I might control my emotions. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that enables me to be victorious in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.