No one is immune from sexual temptation. When we think of sexual temptation, we think of a man named David. Who was David? He was a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) – the most respected, beloved character of the Old Testament. Of course, we know many men were tempted and many committed adultery in the Bible, but why would God choose to tell us all about this man David? Why didn’t He choose a wicked man like Nabal or Goliath or Saul? Because He wanted every man on earth to know that He is not immune to sexual temptation and beyond the possibility of yielding.
Now let us consider carefully the case of David. We read the sordid story in 2 Samuel 11:2-5. This account shows how sexual temptation works. David was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He should have been with his army fighting, but he stayed home. And one evening he arose from his bed and began to walk on the “Rooftop” of his palace. David then got a peek at another man’s wife. Her name was Bathsheba. Her husband Uriah was away fighting. Since David saw no one else around that night – including Bathsheba’s husband- he decided he would get what he wanted. Who would know? Only he and Bathsheba and besides, who would dare to challenge the king? David thought he had “gotten away with it,” but he had not gotten away with anything. Bathsheba became pregnant. He had Uriah killed. Then he married Bathsheba. David tried to hide his sin for a year. But his cleverness fell short. A year later David is repenting and crying out, “Against You and You only have I done this evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:4). God forgave David but David had to live with the consequences of his sinful action.
A son was born to Bathsheba and lived only a week, leaving David with a broken heart. He grieved not at the loss of a son but chiefly because he had broken the heart of God.
Applying the lesson to ourselves, we should ask, “Where did all this begin?” It began on the “Rooftop” with a lustful look which led to the worst sin, next to suicide, Adultery. What is Adultery? I have a friend, Ed Young who calls Adultery, “The Evil One’s Nuclear Bomb.” (Prov. 6:32-33).
Today, all men and women, face our own “Rooftops.” In fact we don’t have to wander outside to see our own Bathsheba – not even leave our living room. What is your Rooftop which you should flee from like a dreaded disease?
- The woman next door.
- The girl who jogs down the street.
- The woman just down the street.
- Our work environment.
- Our charming co-worker.
- A lady in your Sunday School class.
- The wife of your best friend.
- A family friend or associate.
- The half naked woman on the big sign
- More than gazing “chatting on computers, talking on phone, exchanging pictures.
- So called “Men’s Club” featuring female bodies on display.
- Women’s clubs where male dancers leave little to the imagination.
- But the most dangerous Rooftop and the closest equivalent of David’s staring at Bathsheba would be peering into a computer screen filled with pornography. Millions of men and women spend their evenings as David did that fateful night – gazing fantasizing over what they’re viewing.
Listen:
With the arrival of internet, we do not have to leave the friendly confines of home to get on a “rooftop.” Illus.: The record shows that in one year Americans shelled out $1.4 (in year 2003) billion for content off the internet. Of that 1.4 billion, more than 70 percent went to pay for “adult” content. That’s more than a billion dollars a year for x-rated filth. And all of it waits in the comfort of your own den, your own office. It doesn’t take an Einstein to see how the Evil one is “roaming around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Finally, what is the answer? In both the Old and New Testament, we have but one answer, “FLEE SEXUAL TEMPTATION.’’ The Bible never says to “Walk Away” from sexual temptation. Never says to “Pray more about it.” Never says to resist. But the Bible says TO FLEE – the word “flee” is pheugo. Flee like a fugitive. But “flee” to what? Flee to a deep, genuine, and biblical intimacy with our mates, and this subject we shall address in sessions later, which you dare not miss.
In closing, let’s “bear one another’s burdens” in the area of sexual temptation (Gal. 6:2). Let’s share our “Rooftops” of the past or present, both our tragedies and victories