20/11/2013 - DO NOT YIELD TO TEMPATION

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Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 51:1

David sinned because he did not to listen to the Lord. Although he had not made any request for the “absent-minded” Bathsheba to bathe on the terrace of her house, the king knew he should not watch that “show”. But like Eve, he did what was forbidden and got contaminated with what the devil showed him. So he lusted for that woman, became full of sinful desires, had an affair with her and was tainted. However, when he saw his error exposed, he acknowledged his transgression, asked for and attained the Lord’s mercy.

It would be great if no one ever fell into sin no matter how strong temptations might be; however, those who transgress should not hide, lie or try to cover up their trespasses. Those who conceal their iniquity will never prosper, but those who confess obtain mercy (Proverbs 28:13). The mistake of hiding sin is as harmful as the sin itself because he who does so is lying against the truth.

If David had turned his face away from where such demonic act was taking place, his unclean desires would not have been harbored inside of him. The Scriptures say that to hide the Word in the heart is the only way not to sin against the Lord (Psalm 119:11). Temptations are real and sooner or later they will visit us but if the Word is kept within us, we shall not yield to the devil.

When one casts his/her longing eyes on somebody else, he/she has already committed adultery in his/her heart. This type of sin is one of the worst because it keeps those who commit it from inheriting the Kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:10). The sensible thing to do is to flee from it, just as Joseph of Egypt did when Potiphar’s wife tempted him (Genesis 39:12). Never do anything that might cause you damage. Adultery is a sin that results in the direst fate: eternal perdition.

If your heart has been tainted by any sin, confess it to the Lord and He will forgive you and cleanse you from your wickedness. If you have not sinned, take the Bible’s advice and watch your way according to the Word of God (I Corinthians 10:12). In doing so, you purify your way. Do not “play with fire”, do not surf the internet looking for things you should not and do not watch TV programs that advocate for or lead to sin.  Mend your ways while there is still time.

To withstand the wiles of the enemy, clothe yourself with all understanding that you have received from the Lord’s Word. There is no other way to resist the assaults of the devil but to establish yourself in what is written in the Bible. The devil wants to kill your dreams, rob you of your eternal happiness and destroy your relationship with the Lord (John 10.10b). Do not give in, but rather resist temptation and stand firm.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares