Thursday, April 23, 2024
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:1-6
How to Protect Yourself From Temptation and Sin
We have been looking at the life of David and what we can learn from his life. David was anointed as king of Israel when he was just a young man. He was fearless as a shepherd killing lions and bears to keep his flock safe. He was brave and confident when he went to battle against Goliath. He really lived in his anointing. He knew he was marked from an early age, and he lived passionately in that knowledge. This didn’t keep him from making mistakes and bad choices and it didn’t spare him from the consequences of those choices either.
One of the most known stories of David was that of his fall into sin with Bathsheba. He went to the rooftop of the palace one evening and saw her bathing. He found out she was the wife of one of his best soldiers who was away at war. David wanted her, so he had her brought to his palace and slept with her, to later find out she was pregnant with his child. He had her husband killed and married Bathsheba. The consequences of his sin devastated his family for years. Even the most spiritual leaders, who seem to follow after God so closely struggle with sin and are susceptible to temptation.
How can we guard ourselves against falling to sin and temptation if we are all capable of making wrong choices that can bring devastating consequences? By taking a look at some things that David did not do we can learn some safeguards to remember in our own lives.
1. Be Where You Are Supposed to Be and Don’t Be Where You Shouldn’t Be.
Some scholars believe that David should have been at war with his army battling the Ammonites. Had David been at war this might have been avoided. It is usually when we are not where we are supposed to be that we get in trouble. In Proverbs it tells us Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece. Proverbs 16:27 Anytime we have nothing to do we are always at risk of giving in to temptation. When we are bored and/lonely, we look for ways to fill those voids and many times we find the wrong things.
2. Don’t Take Your Eyes Off Of Jesus – when you do and you see something you are not supposed to see, fix your gaze immediately.
When we take our eyes off of Jesus, they will always end up somewhere they shouldn’t be – whether it is on something physical (like someone else’s wife) or on something like our circumstances. When we take our eyes off him we begin to sink. Our faith keeps us Proverbs 4:25-27 says Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil. Keeping our eyes on him keeps us on the right path and keeps our feet away from evil.
3. Accountability –
God sent a prophet to Nathan confront David about his sin, and David felt the weight of his sin and confessed. Listen to the people that God puts in your Listen to your friends and family who will speak the truth in love.
Temptation will always be there and everyone is susceptible to it, no matter what their level of spiritual growth. We have to be intentional about staying on the path and keeping our focus on Jesus to protect ourselves against it.
Is there something in your life that needs to go because it draws your focus away from him? Find an accountability partner and share the strongholds you struggle with. Pray for each other, encourage one another, and keep each other accountable.
