The Snare of Temptation

We live in a world today where there are sinful acts and sinful temptations all around us. Whether it be on television, movies, the radio, or newspapers we are constantly bombarded with things that are contrary to what we are told to do in the Scriptures. On a day to day basis we are confronted with opportunities to partake in these activities. Celebrities, politicians, athletes, all so-called role models tell us that it’s ok to live life how we want, just do what makes us happy. The problem with that is we see all throughout the Bible that God wants us to do what He says is right, and not what we think is right.

We can see a clear example of this when we look at the account of David and Bathsheba. There is no doubt that David was deemed favorable in the eyes of the Lord. God had chosen David to lead His people and replace Saul as king. David had been blessed with the Lord’s presence in many instances; slaying Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50), victory over the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:17), and of course being named king over Judah and then all of Israel. It doesn’t take the reader long to understand that God was with David and had given him many blessings; however, we will see that favor and blessings do not trump God’s desire for obedience of His commands.

The record of David and Bathsheba begins with the young man becoming fond of this married woman while noticing her from afar (2 Samuel 11:1-27). In order to get around her being married, David uses his authority and deception to have Uriah killed (11:15). David then took Bathsheba to be his wife, which was “evil in the sight of the Lord” (11:27). God then tells David that the consequences of his actions will be constant warfare, evil from his own household, and worst of all David will lose a child that is born to him (12:10-14).

This lesson is important for all people in every generation. It shows that although we may find favor in God’s eye, we can still fall away from that favor by committing sin. Eventually, David did repent and was given forgiveness by the Lord; which is something that we all must do when we sin. However, abstaining from temptations should be our desire.