The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Temptation

  • God is Faithful

    “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
    1 Corinthians 10:13

    If you ask someone who their favorite Bible character is, many will reply, “David!” Almost everyone has heard of David and Goliath. However, there is so much more to the life of David than one mighty victory when he was a young.

    David became the greatest king that the nation of Israel ever had. The kings that came after David were compared back to him, but none of the kings that followed lived up to his greatness. As great as he was, even King David made mistakes.

    Most people remember the great sin of David when he took Bathsheba who was not his wife and had her husband killed in battle. When God’s prophet, Nathan, confronted David with his sin, David immediately repented. He turned his heart back to God. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (2 Samuel 12:13). One can read Psalm 51 to understand the great repentance of King David. Seeing into David’s heart at this moment in time can help one understand why God said what He did about King David. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). God was able to allow King David to become a great conquering king.  

    David was a sinner just like everyone who has ever lived. As one reads the events of King David’s life, one cannot help but recognize as he learned from his sin (by repenting of sin). He discovered that he must find the answers as to how to please God by seeking God and His Word.

    The books of the Chronicles reveal the lives of the kings from God’s view. The incident of David taking Bathsheba is recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12 with the consequences of that sin in the following chapters. However, in 1 Chronicles 20, that event in David’s life is not recorded. The tragedies that fell upon his house because of sin are not recorded either. One must recognize something very important: God is a forgiving God who removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. Remember: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Also, remember that God casts our sin into the deepest part of the sea. “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).  That sin will be not only forgiven, but also forgotten.

    Understand that even a man such as David was not perfect. He failed, but we are to learn from his mistakes and not repeat them. Remember: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). These events in the Bible were written as examples for us, so that we would not make the same mistakes. “17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked [means to deviate from conduct that is good or right], fall from your own stedfastness. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:17–18).

    Remember that today we have God’s Word that we can read to help us remain steadfast at all times. We should be encouraged that God is faithful. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

    What can we do to keep from falling into the sin? “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men [behave with wisdom of a man, as opposed to a babe in Christ], be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). However, we must always watch and not let sin enter into our hearts and lives.

    Do you stand steadfast, not allowing sin to enter into your life?

  • Lesson 11 (Lesson 37): II Samuel 11-24: The Result of Sin

    Key Verse

    “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”  John 8:34

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they know what sin is (sin means missing the mark; an offence to God.)  Ask them who has committed sin (all:  Romans 3:23.)  This verse helps us understand that when we sin, we then serve sin.  When we allow sin into our life, we cannot serve God as we should.  Today we will see what happened to David when he sinned against God.

    Summary:  Today we see what can be considered the turning point in David’s kingdom.  When he allowed sin into his life, the penalties for that sin damaged his kingdom.  We see rape, murder, and rebellion take root in his home.  God acknowledged that David had “. . . given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD . . .” (II Samuel 12:14.)  The rebellion in his home advanced to his kingdom.  David’s own son Absalom, whom he loved, rebelled against not only his father, but his father’s kingdom.  David ended up fleeing for his life, and in regaining his kingdom, his son was killed.  We see the time spent restoring the kingdom.  And once again, we see people recognize God’s promise to send One some day.  David’s men recognized this and did not allow him to return into battle for fear “that thou quench not the light of Israel.”  They knew the promise laid in him and his descendants.  As David comes toward the end of his reign, we see words of wisdom and even a song of thanksgiving and praise.

    David also bought the land that the temple would one day be built upon.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Once David allowed sin to come into his life, he had much heartache that could have been prevented.  We must learn from the examples written within God’s Word, or we will repeat them – suffering many of the same consequences of those sins.  But remember that God is faithful:  I Corinthians 10:13:  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 2

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we took a coffee filter and cut it into a large heart.  We then took a regular marker and made small black spots in random places all over the heart.  I tried to help them understand that this was kind of what sin does in our hearts – leaves black spots.  We then took a spray bottle full of water and sprayed a few squirts onto the heart where the spots were.  We watched as the spots began to bleed and spread on the heart, becoming bigger.  That is much like what sin does once it enters into one’s heart – spreads, becoming bigger.  Also help them understand that it is impossible for us to remove those stains.  This is a great way to help them see the significance of this and the importance of understanding that it takes Jesus to wash away those black spots – our sin.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.