2 Samuel 11:22-25  
So the messenger went to Jerusalem and gave a complete report to David. “The enemy came out against us in the open fields,” he said. “And as we chased them back to the city gate, the archers on the wall shot arrows at us. Some of the king’s men were killed, including Uriah the Hittite.” 

“Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,” David said. “The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow! Fight harder next time, and conquer the city!” (NLT)

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Mischief managed: It’s a fun idea from the Harry Potter books and movies. According to King David’s words recorded and reported above, it sounds like he thought he had done what he needed to do to hide his sin. 

You can fool all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool God anytime. 

God saw. God knew. The second half of verse 27 says, “But the LORD was displeased with what David had done.”

The man after God’s own heart (See Acts 13:22), had now grieved God’s heart.

David the king had reached a point of no return. His confession and repentance are indeed as famous as his sin (See Psalms 32 and 51.). Even so, his family life and leadership were pretty much all downhill from here. 

Money, sex, and power are among the greatest of temptations. Ambition, appetite, and approval tripped up Adam and Eve and almost everyone who has ever lived since then. How do you intentionally protect your heart and mind from these temptations? 

My coworker Becky helps us “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”(Ephesians 6:10). Verses 10 through 20 in this passage instruct us on the armor of God. We do not battle temptation without protection unless we deliberately choose to do so. God provides a way out of every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). His armor, described in Ephesians 6, includes the offensive weapon, which is his words of truth and life. 

For every temptation, there is God’s instruction, protection, and power to flee, fight, and overcome. Becky teaches us to memorize three verses related to the temptations we struggle with most. By the time we have not only recited those verses and taken them to heart, we have found the exit we were looking for and the alternate path that puts us back in step with God.

We don’t have to fail like King David. We can overcome the first temptation by not putting ourselves in his situation and by finding something else to rest our eyes upon when allured toward sinful gazes. We can turn and walk away from the temptation and thank God for his greater gifts without regret, unlike any hormonal moment the adversary presents, and the grief and brokenness it leads to. 

King David failed. King Jesus did not. After his baptism (Matthew 3:13-17), he was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (4:1). The adversary came with temptations of appetite, ambition, and approval (4:2-11). Jesus used God’s armor to overcome what tripped up Adam, Eve, Saul, David, you, and me. 

Jesus spoke the full truth of God to the half-truths of the evil one. 

When the adversary whispers in your ear, “God wants you to be happy,” remind him “God wants us to be holy,” (1 Peter 1:16). 

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II will put on God’s armor and place his words of truth and life in my heart and mind to guide my will and emotions.

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Our Father, thank you for your armor. Thank you for your words of truth and life. Empower me today to know and experience the freedom you provide by your gracious gifts and stalwart protections. Amen.