David and Temptation: 3 Do’s to Defeat Temptations

The Bible records that David was “a man after God’s own heart”. That is, a person who understands God’s heart, whose life is pleasing to Him (Acts 13:22). So pleasing was he before God that Jesus often introduced Himself as “Jesus, Son of David.”

Yet even this king, who seemed so perfect, did not escape temptation. This happened in the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). David’s sin of adultery spread into even greater sin, even to the point of taking someone’s life.

Temptation is indeed unavoidable and everywhere. So, what should we do when temptation begins to peek in? How can we guard our holiness and not fall into sin?

3 “Do’s” to Defeat Temptations Based on David’s Story

Here are three “DOs” we need to remember when facing temptation:

1. Do what you need to do

To avoid temptation, our first step is to do what we are supposed to do.

At the turn of the year, at the time when kings usually go out to war, David sent Joab out with his men and all Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged the city of Rabbah, while David himself stayed in Jerusalem. One evening, when David rose from his bed and was walking on the roof of the palace, from the roof he saw a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. – 2 Samuel 11:1-2

Notice the words in bold. When did temptation begin to stalk David?

It all began when David, who should have gone to battle with his troops, chose instead to remain in Jerusalem. Because he was idle, he had time to daydream; his mind was empty. He strolled on the palace roof and accidentally saw a beautiful woman bathing.

When David was idle, temptation found a gap to enter his heart. If David had gone to war at that time, it is very likely he would not have fallen into sexual sin.

So, temptation usually does not peek in when someone is busy. Temptation appears when everyone else is occupied, but we ourselves are daydreaming or doing nothing. Temptation comes when everyone else goes off to work or college, while we choose to laze around alone at home. In the digital age, information is so easy to access. With just one mouse click, we enter forbidden websites, and sin settles in.

To avoid temptation, our first step is to do what we are supposed to do. Focus on what you need to do, whether studying, working, or creating. Do not deliberately create moments or opportunities that could become an opening for temptation. This will lead to sin. Guard your heart and mind from things you do not need to see, hear, or think about.

Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23

2. Do not entertain your eyes, mind, ears, or any other senses

"Be sober and watchful! Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." – 1 Peter 5:8

The second step is to stay away from the source of temptation as quickly as possible.

Temptation is often triggered by what our senses take in, whether through the eyes, ears, touch, thoughts, and so on.

One way to keep temptation from continuing is to stop it at the first opening where it enters. David did not take this step. Instead, David enjoyed it. In the end, he became entangled in sin that was more evil, and then even more evil.

Temptation is everywhere. When we go to the mall to shop, there are always people in revealing clothes who make our thoughts impure. When we are looking for material for work or assignments, indecent images suddenly appear on the computer screen. Seeing many-digit numbers in a company’s financial data, we are tempted to pocket some of it. Temptation appears even when we have no intention of seeking it at all.

However, there is one Bible figure who succeeded in overcoming temptation. If David was tempted, once, by what he saw, Joseph was tempted repeatedly. The difference is that Joseph did not fall into sin because he chose to run from temptation.

Then she caught Joseph by his garment and said, "Come lie with me." But Joseph left his garment in her hand and fled outside. – Genesis 39:12

Yes, temptation is indeed unavoidable, but that does not mean we cannot overcome it. Stop the source of temptation the very second you become aware of it. Do not enjoy it orentertain it. If necessary, run! Joseph ran, and he managed to escape temptation. If Joseph could do it, then surely you can too.

3 Domino Effect of Sin 

He wrote in the letter as follows: "Put Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle, then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die." – 2 Samuel 11:15

The third step is to remember the domino effect of sin.

From 2 Samuel 11, we see how a small temptation gradually shifted David away from a righteous life. From a man who feared God, David became an adulterer, even a murderer. Because he was tempted by that small temptation, David committed many other sins to cover up the earlier sin.

“Therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will raise up trouble against you from your own household. I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to another man, and he shall lie with your wives in broad daylight.” – 2 Samuel 12:10-11

As the result of one sin multiplying into other sins, David received many consequences. His family fell apart. His son by Bathsheba died. One of his sons, Absalom, rebelled because he wanted to become king. There was rape in his family, murder in his line, and so on.

The story of David and Bathsheba reminds us to take even small temptations seriously. No matter how trivial they may seem, temptation will produce sin. Like a domino effect, one sin that is not dealt with will open the door to other sins. These may even bring increasingly severe effects or damage, and consequences that are heavier to bear.

Besides that, we also cannot run from the consequences of sin. There is a costly price to pay for our actions.

So, what should you do when temptation peeks in? Do what you need to do. Keep yourself busy with positive things, so that temptation has no opening to enter. When temptation comes unexpectedly, don’t entertain it! Do not let it poison your mind. And always remember the domino effect of sin. One sin will give rise to other sins, and there are always consequences to be paid.

Above all, pray and ask God to always guard your heart and your actions.

“Watch and pray, that you may not fall into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41