1. Illus. of virus
• Normally I don’t get all the little bugs that come through town.
• On one occasion, I was overworked and run down. I picked up a bug that I otherwise would not have picked up.
• When your immune system is compromised, you become susceptible to things you normally wouldn’t have to worry about.
2. The same thing can happen spiritually. Certain life events can compromise our spiritual immune system, making us susceptible to temptations that normally wouldn’t bother us. This is especially true in the area of our sexuality.
3. How is it that a good hearted, moral man sometimes falls into immorality? I not talking about the sexual predator whose life is a series of immoral incidents. That man is looking for his next conquest, and it will just be a matter of time until he finds it. I’m talking about that man who loves his wife and loves his God, but in that “moment of maybe” gives in instead of resisting.
4. We’re all familiar with David’s fall into immorality. What we are not so familiar with are the events prior to that fall that made him susceptible. Don’t misunderstand me: David made a sinful choice in a moment of temptation. However, had these other events not weakened his spiritual immune system, David might have said no in his moment of maybe.
5. Today: There are life events that make men more susceptible to moral temptation. Men who are committed to sexual faithfulness need to be aware of these life events so that they can additional precautions.
6. What are these life events?
I. A TROUBLED MARRIAGE
1. See II Samuel 6:12b-16, 20-23 She despised David, and after she ridiculed David, he despised her as well. To show you how deep this rift was, look at vs 23. Some believe that this was a supernatural judgment from God. The most likely explanation is that she didn’t have children because she and David didn’t sleep together any more!
2. When your marriage is troubled, when you and your wife are not getting along as well as you should, it makes you more susceptible to moral temptation.
3. Illus. of “John”
• “Pastor, I’ve blown it. I’ve destroyed my marriage.”
• When I asked how this could happen, he said, “Wife and I fight all the time. Not big blowouts, but little irritating disagreements. Then I met a woman at work who liked everything about me. The next thing I knew, I had given in to moral temptation!”
4. One additional point: Most women enter affairs because of a need for affection and attention. Most men enter affairs for a far simpler reason: l-u-s-t! Guys, if your marital problems have degenerated to the point that they are affecting things in the bedroom, look out! You are at risk!
5. Guys, are things a little rocky at home right now? Beware: Satan will place an attractive young woman in your path who will think you are the most wonderful man in the world! Don’t be surprised, be on guard!
II. AN UNREALIZED DREAM
1. See II. Samuel 7:5, 12-13. David’s lifelong ambition had been to build a temple for God. Now in his middle years, David had the time and the resources to do so. God sent word through Nathan and said, “David your son will build my house, but not you.”
2. Young men have dreams of hitchhiking across the USA, or of becoming a millionaire, or of rising to a place of prominence and power, or of living on an island somewhere. They are young, and if they don’t realize those dreams today its OK because there’s always tomorrow. One day they hit middle age and realize, “I’m not young anymore, and these dreams are never going to happen. What I am right now is what I will be the rest of my life.”
3. Illus. of sign in rural North Carolina
• Unpaved dirt roads that go for miles in rural backwoods areas.
• Sign that said, “Choose your rut carefully. You’ll be in it for the next 30 miles!”
• Men sometimes reach middle age and think, “I’m never going to do those things I dreamed about when I was young. I’m caught in this rut and I’m never going to get out of it.
4. When men reach that point they sometimes do crazy things to try to cope. They change jobs, or they buy a convertible, or they dye their hair, or they flirt with that young divorcee at work. If she should flirt back, in that moment of maybe they find themselves thinking, “why not? This might be my last chance to get out of this rut.”
5. Guys, are you at that place in life? Watch out- you are susceptible to moral temptation.
III. WORLDLY SUCCESS
1. See II. Samuel 8:13-15. When David found out that he was not going to be able to build the temple of God, he turned his attention to military and political matters. He defeated the armies of Philistia and Moab, dedicating the spoils of war to the Lord. The Bible says, “he made a name for himself…” Not only that, but “he reigned over Israel… and administered justice and judgment for all his people…” David was a tremendous success as a soldier and as a ruler!
2. The multiwedded J. Paul Getty once said, “A long lasting relationship with a woman is possible only if you are a business failure. Beware the intoxicating aura of success!”
3. Illus. of Jim Baker
• Who can forget the news about his illicit relationship with Jessica Hahn and dozens of others.
• It didn’t happen when he was a struggling pentecostal evangelist. It happened after his ministry had grown to be a multi-million dollar marketing machine, and after his name had become a household word.
• After he got out of jail, Jim Baker gave an interview in which he said, “I had reached a point where I thought somehow the rules didn’t apply to me.”
• Success can make us susceptible to moral temptation!
4. Are you in a period of life where you are successful at what you do? Are you being recognized by your peers, and rewarded financially for your efforts? Look out- success makes men susceptible to moral temptation!
IV. EMOTIONAL BATTERING
1. See II Samuel 9:1. David is still grieving over the death of Jonathan, a dear friend who had been closer to David than a brother. David was on top of the world professionally, but down in the dumps emotionally! He was king of all he could see, but in the process of becoming king he had lost his closest friend!
2. We want to think that we are like Clint Eastwood, tough and silent and able to take whatever you throw at us. The truth is that batters us emotionally when we lose a job, or a friend, or have a sick kid. Batter us enough, and we might make a stupid moral decision we normally would have more sense than to make!
3. Guys, if you are being knocked around emotionally right now, look out! Be more on guard than ever against moral temptation.
Conclusion
1. Most Christian men don’t mean to fall. They just fail to prepare adequately for that moment of temptation.
2. Make a committment to purity today!
