The Playboy Problem
Today we are going to discuss chapter 3 of Ed Cole’s Maximized Manhood titled ‘The Playboy Problem”. And our resident playboy is found in 2 Samuel 11 and his name is King David.
David’s background:
• Battle tested three times at a young age
• Man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14, Act 13:22)
• Had that famous quote, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God.” “You come to me with a sword, spear and shield (javelin). But I am come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.”
• Loved by the people
• Brought the Ark of the Covenant of God back to the children of Israel
• Naked dance
With so many accolades tied to his name, he truly has done what we would consider kingly. So what does a king with power want? He wants more power.
And in this search for it he makes a detour which leads to harsh consequences. Many, if not all of us, have been in the same boat. (Are your with me?)
2 Samuel 11:1-2
“It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.”
After a long day of work, we come home and pet the dog on his head, high-five the kids, kiss the wife on the cheek and then retreat to our man cave. This is a place where nobody knows our name. We sit down to rest our body and naturally our spirit follows as well. But
I Peter 5:8 (amp)
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.”
1. Take Captive Our Thoughts
In short order, it means we need to always be on our toes, be at the ready. As watchmen we are in high places so that we may see far off, physically and spiritually. Remember this though. Our adversary doesn’t want us on post. He wants us off guard (unbalanced). He wants us not focused, undisciplined (not following our call) because he has a plan to throw us off keel.
Champions, no matter what the day, week or month may bring at your, remember to seek God not just for rest, but revelation of self. Revelation through his eyes of what enemy is in us and before us.
Ephesians 6:12
“For we wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against principalities & against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The very thing contrary to our way of living is the very thing that will present itself as attractive.
Genesis 3:6
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her, and he did eat.”
And when David saw Bathsheba was good for his flesh, and that she was pleasant to his eyes, and a woman to be desired to fulfill his needs at that time, he took the bait which then corrupted his household.
Whether it’s a woman or another woman, the envying of someone’s home, job, car. Ego has a tremendous impact on how we progress. We lust (that is – desire) after something or someone that was not given to us. So because we have the position, the power and the authority, we take it.
Are you with me?
2 Samuel 11:3-4
So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.
2. Take Captive Our Reason for Temptations
James 1:13-15
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion).
Champions, we either have or had that one thing with potential in drawing us away. As Champions, we must take inventory of our stock (issues) which is paramount. What is in you that need to be flushed out?
Psalms 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my ways, And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
So here is David with information that should stop any spiritually lucid man from moving forward and committing sin. But isn’t that the answer, spiritually lucid? His flesh life is stronger than his prayer life. It’s not that he wasn’t a praying man, but temptation will be around. And we cannot be tempted by what we don’t want. Therefore David was tempted by what he wanted. When we call for an opportunity to sin, bet your bottom dollar it will answer.
Ed Cole says,
“In this modern era, we don’t have sins. We have problems. We have psychologized the gospel, and in the process we have eliminated the word sin from our vocabulary.”
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
Do not be afraid to call it for what it is. A sin is a sin is a sin.
Got it?
2 Samuel 11:5-7
And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”6 Then David sent to Joab, saying, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent Uriah to David. 7 When Uriah had come to him, David asked how Joab was doing, and how the people were doing, and how the war prospered. 8 And David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.”
David was already scandalous for going after Bathsheba. But now he compounds the matter.
I mean, here he is trying to cover up his tracks, by bringing home Uriah from war. Though the bible doesn’t say, Bathesheba had to be far along enough to know she was pregnant, but maybe not far enough to be showing. And I think that’s why David came up with the scheme to have Uriah go home and spend time with his wife.
When we have committed a sin, we try our best to ensure that no one knows. At whatever the cost, our secret must not be made public.
As we get further into the story, we see David sends a letter back to Joab by way of Uriah (his own death ticket). It places him on the frontlines to die, which he does. But David has no remorse for his actions. He even boldly tells Joab “Don’t let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another.”
Men for that very reason is why we need men of great stature speaking into our lives.
3. Who is speaking to you
Nathan the prophet, sent by God, comes to David and tells him a story of two men. In that story he essentially compares a just and faithful man to one that is not so just.
David’s reply:
So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! 6 And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”
Nathan reply:
You are that man!
Power and authority used incorrectly, can yield grave results. However, God has given us repentance to bring us back into the straight and narrow.
PS 51: 7-13
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
