Jun 21, 2013

Moments  of Weakness

Read | 2 Samuel 11:1-5

The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who sinned against the Lord in moments of weakness. These true  stories—beginning with the account of Adam and Eve—are given to us for our  instruction (1 Cor. 10:11). The Father wants us to learn from the mistakes of  others.

Idleness allowed King David’s mind to contemplate adultery with Bathsheba. Weariness led Elijah to consider death preferable to life (1 Kings 19:4). Pride  may have played a part in Eve’s listening to the serpent (Gen. 3:6), while lust  may have prompted Solomon to desire many wives, including unbelievers (1 Kings  11:1-3). Add to these a sense of spiritual or emotional neediness and  emptiness, and we have at least six situations that are fertile ground for  temptation. In some biblical examples, enticement was resisted; in others, the  individuals gave in. I’m certain every one of us can identify.

While there are many kinds of  temptation, they follow a similar pattern. The eye looks, the mind desires, and  the will acts. King David looked at Uriah’s wife, inquired about her, and then  he acted. Another Israelite, Achan, who helped in the Jericho conquest, noticed all  the material wealth, coveted it in his mind, and took what he wanted (Josh. 7:20-21).

No matter what’s creating vulnerability, each person is ultimately responsible for his or her own actions. So in times of weakness, remember the word halt.  Its letters can remind you not to let  yourself become too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Most importantly, fix your  attention on the Lord, draw strength from Him, and experience victory over  temptation.