2 Samuel 11

David was an amazing man by all counts. He was a warrior, worshiper and beloved king. He was a man after God’s own heart. But David was also a sinner, as we are all sinners. His spirit was willing to worship and serve God, but his flesh was weak. This chapter is the tragic story of that weakness.

At the zenith of David’s success and popularity, he yielded to temptation and committed adultery and murder. His life would never be the same, and the repercussions would be felt in his family for the rest of his life. This shows us the awful consequences of sin, but also God’s amazing grace to forgive.

It is always true that the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. What was going on in David’s heart that he would sin so royally? How could he fall like this? I have asked this same question with many I have known in ministry who have fallen to sin. How could this happen? How could someone who was so gifted by God and used by God do something so contrary to God? This is not an easy question to answer, because we don’t have a clear window into other people's hearts. But we can say that before the sin occurred, something went wrong inside. Pride, lust, envy, greed, hatred, rebellion, deceit—no one is immune to these diseases of the heart.

Recently, an elderly couple from our church told me, “Be careful, pastor. You have a target on you.” It was a good reminder of the spiritual warfare in which we are all engaged. Satan studies us. He knows our weaknesses. He knows how to present the perfect bait on which we will bite. So be on your guard, for his devices are many, and you are vulnerable.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:41, NIV)