Original Pen Date: 4.2.2019

I am sure in this moment that I am not alone, however the guilt and heartache I feel could surely convince most otherwise. At​ this moment, I feel just like King David in 2 Samuel 12, right after he had Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah killed on the front lines of battle. I won’t give away much more than that because if you’re not familiar with this passage of scripture, I encourage you to please take a moment right now to Read 2 Samuel 11-12 and then rejoin me.

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While reading this story, I was amazed at how God’s Word calmly yet firmly convicted me. There was no trial, no public flogging in the town’s square. Just me in the solitude of my bedroom (my make-shift prayer closet), and my sin recently committed, yet long ago put out of my mind, seeking the Lord’s wisdom and will oblivious to the iniquity still residing deep within my heart.

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I, like David, have strolled down the path of sexual sin, and unlike most sins, sexual immorality is an act, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 6:18, that is against one’s own body, and that all other sins are committed outside the body. Erotica, fornication, lust, pornography, covetousness, masturbation are all sins that directly defile our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, by altering our heart posture and distracting us of our knowledge of God and our true identity (v. 19). Rather than defile, we are called to honor God with our bodies because we are not our own, in fact, we were bought at price graciously paid for by Jesus at Calvary (v. 20).

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I was in a similar situation as David, in a hurry to cast judgement on others, who, when I stop for a moment, are more like me than I’m willing to admit (2 Samuel 12: 5-7). And having sinned and already asked God for forgiveness, yet still having​ to face the inescapable​ consequences…but glory be to God….for I still LIVE! God spared my life when He had every reason to let me die for what I have done, for ALL the ways in which I showed utter contempt for the Lord (v. 14).

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As followers of Jesus, we are called to set our minds on things above (heavenly things) because when we accept Christ, we die to this world and our true life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:2-3, AMP). And we are called to “put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of [our] earthly bod[ies] [with its sensual, self-centered instincts], immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God]” (v. 5, AMP).

Let Us Pray

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Lord give me the strength to bear the consequences I am justly due, and when those consequences​ have ended, which I have faith that they will (2 Samuel 12:20), I will do like your servant David and get up from my mourning and worship you Lord for my life and for all of the blessings you have given me in this life. Lord, I also pray that you would help me to fix my mind’s eye on You and heaven and all that eternal life with You has to offer. Let me not get blindsided here on earth by any form of sexual immorality, lust or evil that lingers in my heart from past transgressions. I bind right now in the Name of Jesus anything prideful in my life, that sets itself up against the knowledge of You (2 Corinthians 10:5) and in faith knowing that while I am penning this prayer, you have already heard me and you are already answering my call for help (Isaiah 65:24). Create in me a clean heart O God and renew in me a steadfast spirit. Thank you for not removing your Holy Spirit from me. Please restore unto me the joy of my salvation and a willing spirit (Psalm 51:10-12). In Your Son Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Be Blessed,