TEMPTATION

Here today we are going to look at one of the biggest blunders of David’s life, a greater sin that which he committed with Bathsheba, greater than the murder of Uriah. It was the sin of numbering the people. You see this sin was one that was against God himself and directly against the command of God.

Remember as you read through the Chronicles compared with reading through the Samuels and the Kings, you are now reading what we call God’s perspective rather than man’s perspective. The Bible here does not even list the sin of Bathsheba in 1 Chronicles but it doesn’t miss this sin against God.

This sin involved may things:

· A lack of faith in God and His protection

· Self-confidence

· Vainglory

· A reliance on the arm of flesh

· It was possibly as a result of relishing in his own kingdom and his own achievements:

Jeremiah 9:23–24 AV

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

TODAY WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT HOW TEMPTATION WORKS

· As we do that realize what the Bible says in both of the following parallel passages:

2 Samuel 24:1 AV

And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

1 Chronicles 21:1 AV

And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

Did God do it or did Satan do it, or did God allow Satan and thus used Satan – I believe the latter, no matter what, God allows Satan at times, oftentimes to attack the believer – we need to be ready and know his devices.

I. The Steps and Outcome of the Temptation

In our passage we see a simple and observable pattern and reaction that Satan still uses today to bring you to the most fruitful sin in his repertoire

A. Satan stood up v.1

He got his attention

B. Satan provoked v.1

Can I tell you what Satan loves to do, he love to scratch your itch, he loves to push your buttons - he seeks to grab your attention and place it where he can bring you into sin. · He causes self-centeredness

C. David refuses to consider his path vv.3-4

Joab warned him of his the great mistake he was making.

There is not a more evident proof of friendship than to stand in opposition when some you love is falling into sin.

David would not budge though Joab was reminding, even arguing with him about this grievous mistake David was about to make, but David would not budge.

Joab, was not exactly a bulwark of faith and obedience but he called it right that time

o Let that be a reminder to you to be right when you are pointing out someone else’s sin when yours is completely obvious, and even more that his.

D. David follows through on the his path to sin vv.5-6

He gets the number summed up and guess what, there are lot of people 1.1 million men ready to to to war

King David, man after God’s own heart, he knew what the results would be. Even though this was something that was sinful, he was warned about, and there was no surprise at the end of it either at this point. But the one thing he did not do, and it is the same thing we often neglect to consider was the repercussions of the sin.

E. God came down and chastised v.7

God has no choice but to react to the Christian whose is in rebellion to God and His Word. To the Believer who openly disobeys or even ignorantly disobeys. God will deal with his children.

Hebrews 12:6–8 AV

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

II. The Holy Spirit’s Working in the face of Temptation

When ever we face temptation God works

A. He directs through His spirit

He warns you. He impedes your way to sin; he discourages you; He warns you; He even uses people to wake you up to the way you are going as God used Joab to warn David of his impending sin.

B. He smites the heart in the commission of or directly after the sin

1 Chronicles 21:7–8 AV

And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

C. He reminds of the sin and continues to seek repentance

1 Corinthians 10:11 AV

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Admonition means: Call attention to; mild rebuke or warning

D. He brings mild chastisement

Psalm 23:4 AV

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

E. He sends stronger chastisement

Proverbs 3:11 AV

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

F. He quits dealing with you

G. An early death can be the result

That is why the Bible state in

III. What should our Reaction be to the Temptation

A. Call upon God

Jeremiah 33:3 AV

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

B. Take action in removing the temptation or relocating ourselves from it

James 4:7 AV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Corinthians 6:18 AV

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Colossians 3:5b (AV)

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

1 Corinthians 10:14 AV

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

2 Timothy 2:22 AV

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

1 Tim 6:9-11 flee from the love of money

C. Identify your weaknesses

Psalm 39:1 AV

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

D. Seek to build safeguards in those areas

IV. The Reality of the Temptation

Two things will happen in the face of the provocation – You will be strengthened or further damaged.

The reality of it all is that we are damaged goods, and apart from the work of Jesus Christ in our lives, we are of no value in the great scheme of things. But I sure do not want to continue worsening the damage done.

A. Beware of the damage that is done in the midst of your sin

· The damage is not always to you, it is often to someone or something very dear to you.

If there is a statement I want you to get it is this:

“To walk away from the temptation is infinitely better than repentance afterwards.”

Purity is always better than repentance.

But this is equally true – “Someone quick to repent stays in the protective hand of God.” But the one who continues long not repenting, not giving in, knowing that they should but continues to push the envelope is running the risk of retribution and even worse; abandonment, divorcement in this life.

1 Corinthians 5:5 AV

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:20 AV

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Job 2:6 AV

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

V. God’s Expectation Concerning the Temptation

When I was young, especially in school and then initially I thought those teachers, that every time they would give me a test that they would often construct it to confuse or trick you. I always though that they were testing me to see if they could make fail. The truth is, they really were hoping that I would succeed.

I can tell you truly, that God never sends a trial, never allows a temptation, without the desire that you will succeed.

James 1:12 AV

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 5:11 AV

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Let me say a few quick things about this verse:

You are never happy giving in to the temptation, joy comes from standing strong in Christ

The Lord blesses the at the end much more than he does at the beginning.

God is very pitiful - full of compassion for his children.

Temptation

1 Chronicles 21:1-7

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