TEMPTATIONS-CHOICES-WHERE IS YOUR SELF-CONTROL?

TEMPTATIONS-CHOICES- WHERE IS YOUR SELF-CONTROL ONE of the things That we all struggle with Is temptation-sexual temptation Today's readings are about The choices that we MAKE When we come-face-to-face With sexual temptation King David becomes aroused By the unexpected sight Of Bathsheba bathing Bathsheba-a married woman- Sleeps with David And becomes pregnant He tries a cover-up And when his plan fails He arranges for her husband- Uriah-to be killed “Place Uriah up front Where the fighting is fierce Then pull back And leave him To be struck down dead” 2 Samuel 11:15 David comes face-to-face With temptation And he succumbs David's initial sexual arousal Is NOT the problem -That is a natural Human response The problem is David succumbs And gets in deeper and deeper WITH each decision that he makes Where is his self-control? “Like a city Whose walls are broken through Is a person who lacks self-control” Proverbs 25:28 “Do not deprive each other Except perhaps-by mutual consent And for a time So that you may DEVOTE yourself to prayer Then come together again So that Satan Will not tempt you Because of your lack of self-control” 1 Corinthians 7:15 (From Paul's dissertation on married life) And ALL good sincere Christians know That if you are not married ABSTINENCE-is the only real choice And we know as Christians There are only two ways To defend against temptation- Ant type of temptation 1. FLEE the situation 2. And using the WORD OF GOD King David did neither He gravitated toward the situation And made one wrong choice after another “Watch and pray So that you Will not fall into temptation The spirit is willing But the FLESH is weak” Matthew 26:41 “Now CHOOSE LIFE So that you and your children May live And that you May LOVE the Lord your God Listen to his voice And hold fast to him” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 One thing is for CERTAIN In life You will come Face-to-face With ALL kinds of temptation In this world Including sexual temptation CHOOSE GOD-CHOOSE LIFE Defend yourself-by doing the right thing Either flee- Or USE the WORD of God THE CHOICE IS YOURS Robert P. Wallman 1-28-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Claire J. King