Taming Temptation: Nothing New Under the “Son!”
Every Man’s Battle

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-5

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 11:2

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

The promise given to us in our key scripture for this month is that no temptation will come upon us but that which is “common to man.”  In today’s scriptural passage we read of one of the most common temptations that has plagued “man” for hundreds of years.  David was king and characterized by God’s Word as a man after God’s heart, yet we are reading today about a failure in his life.  He did not turn away from an unplanned visual of a beautiful woman.  He looked until he lusted.  He lusted until he acted upon it.

            There is a great book entitled “Every Man’s Battle” which is very helpful to men in this area of lust.  To say lust is common is not intended to diminish its seriousness.  Jesus made it very clear that when a person allows themselves to lust, God, who sees the heart, considers it the same as adultery.  Yes, it is a very common problem and has been throughout history, but God has grace and strength to overcome this sin, just as He does for all sin.

            How should we use the thought that lust is a common sin?  First we remember that David was forgiven and restored to a good standing with God.  Don’t allow the evil one to condemn you if you do have a failure in your life.  Secondly, as we fight this temptation, don’t allow the devil to lie to you; you don’t have to fail!  Your temptation is not greater than you can bear, nor is it unusually powerful; God prevents that!

 “Father, keep me in my hour of temptation!  Hold me steady when the devil sends the storms.  Give me wisdom to defeat the devil’s lies.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”