Years ago, I was in Australia teaching on the life of David—David who spent too much time on his rooftop watching Bathsheba bathe instead of fighting the battles of the Lord. His choices ended up in disaster for all concerned and his story has important lessons for all of us.
David’s moral failure and the resulting consequences could have been avoided if he would have stayed off the roof in the first place. Or gotten off as soon as possible. It’s a choice and God provides us strength to climb down to safety.
At the end of my message, a beautiful girl walked up to me. She said, “I just don’t relate to this, Jill. My husband is a pastor. We have a wonderful marriage and family and a great church. I would never commit adultery.”
“Really?” I asked her. “Have you ever had the chance?”
“Oh yes,” she said, “with a man in the church, actually. I realized he had feelings for me beyond friendship, so I just kept my distance. I knew how to tell him I wasn’t available. It was easy.”
So I said, “Tell me about the man.”
After she described him, I said, “Well, he doesn’t sound like a very attractive man. It’s easy to say no to a King Lear type, but it will be more difficult if a King David moves in next door!”
I kept in touch with her and about two years later, I got a frantic note all the way from Australia that said, “Pray for me, Jill. King David moved in next door.” This time sadly, she didn’t get off the roof. Gone was her marriage. Gone was their ministry. It was heartbreaking.
What was wrong with David is often wrong with us. We forget in our moment of choice to turn to God and pray the words of David himself in Psalm 139:23-24,
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
If you’re ever in a situation where there’s some sort of chemistry with another person, be honest with yourself. Say, “I’m attracted to this person, help Lord!” The Bible says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” All you have to say is, “Help!” and all the forces of God will be at your disposal to help you get off the roof and say, “No!”
Some might read this and think, Jill, it’s too late for me. I’ve already gone too far. It might be adultery, fornication, pornography, or any other kind of sin. You’ve crossed the line, and the impact of your action is rippling across your life and the lives of those you love.
If that’s where you find yourself, it’s never too late! God hates your sin and wants to break you free from it because He loves you and wants the best for you. Just like David did after his failure with Bathsheba, you can run into His arms, throw yourself on His mercy, and thank Him that He’s already forgiven you.
There is no sin too big for God to forgive. The same God who empowers you to resist temptation can forgive you when you fall, and He can restore you to those who have been wounded by your sin. All you have to do is ask Him. Then get back to fighting the battles of the Lord!