2 Samuel 11:2

Scripture:

2 Samuel 11:2 (ESV) “It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful…” 

Observation:

There is a saying out there that 5% of men have a problem with pornography or sexual temptations and 95% of men have a problem with lying. Even though this is often spoken in jest, the awful truth is that men—Christian men— are falling to the temptation of sexual desires at an alarming rate. It doesn’t matter what occupation we have, whether we are attorneys, bankers, teachers, self-employed, or even pastors. The point is it’s out there and we MUST come up with a plan to keep us pure in the eyes of the Lord. In today’s verse David is gazing upon a nude woman who is married to one of his captains. At the time when he should have been doing his job as commander-in-chief, he indulges his flesh. The result we see later in 2 Samuel 12 is death, sorrow, and regret. David should have had an accountability plan! We all need one.

 

For me it is bouncing. I bounce away from anything that I feel might take me down a wrong path. Is it fool proof? No because any plan is only as good as the effort we put into it.

 

Ladies did you know that YOU can help not just YOUR man, but EVERY man with his purity plan? Without being accusatory or judgmental, may I suggest you evaluate your fashion style very closely. Is this too provocative? Am I showing too much skin – do my pants need to be this tight? Would I wear this if God were here? We each have a part to play in teaching our children what God desires of all His Children. So I ask, do we have a plan; will we honor God’s desire to live a pure and holy life; will we raise our children in HIS Ways; and will we set the example that David failed to set?

 

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love. 
• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER, with DAN KERSTEN. TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. DAN KERSTEN is director of development and communications for Men’s Ministries and Light for the Lost with the U.S. Assemblies of God. Dan has also been a ‘missions journalist’ since 2004. He is a licensed minister with the Southern Missouri District of the AG and lives in Republic, MO, with his wife, Tara, and son, Omar. Connect with Dan on Facebook.