....roof

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful. 2 Samuel 11:2

Remember that David built this palace - he knew every detail of the architecture. He knew exactly where the bath houses were and knew the preferred times of bathing! "But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin" James 1:14-15.

David's sin began long before he climbed into bed with Bathsheba. It began with letting down his guard of self-discipline and wandering from God; it then continued by entering an area of compromise - an area where he was enticed.

We must all recognize our "roof" where we become susceptible to temptation: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

Many times, our way out of temptation is simply to not visit the place where we know temptation resides - to not allow temptation to even germinate in our heart.

Is there a restlessness which is causing us to drift from God? 

Are we spending time and energy on activities, in places or conversations (physical or virtual), which we know are not honoring to God? 

Let's remain in His presences and ask God to open our eyes to the vulnerable areas of our life; let's commit to walk the path of purity and stay off the roof!

-steve troxel