DAVID & SOLOMON: SATAN’S SUBTLE TRICKS
David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:13-14) who killed a bear and lion by God’s power. He defeated Goliath the same way (1 Samuel 17:45-47). His downfall was his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent attempted cover-up. That was the result of a pattern of deception and lies that started earlier in his life. Another thread of sin woven throughout the years was lust – unfortunately David had married several wives. Satan had been patiently setting up this snare for years. The trap was set and David was caught. He was victorious over open frontal attacks, but Satan had been developing this noose patiently for quite a while. That‘s why we must always be alert to the smallest sin and get rid of it immediately.
There is another time when Satan deceived and defeated David as well. Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.” (1 Chronicles 21:1) David, in pride which was encouraged by Satan, took a census of his soldiers against Joab’s advice and God’s warning (1 Chronicles 21: 2-7). God severely punished Israel with a plague because of it (1 Chronicles 21: 8-29). God allowed an “angel” to bring death to many (1 Chronicles 21:14-27). Was this “angel” who caused death in the plague a demon or an angel of God? Either way, we see Satan putting thoughts of pride into David’s mind which led to death for many.
LESSON FOR TODAY: Demons will work for years setting a Christian up for a fall. We think we can get away with a certain sin, or it isn’t a big deal, but gradually it grows until we are captured and defeated by it. Demons are smart and they are patient. Without God’s wisdom and help we are sure to fall. Don’t give in one inch. Don’t allow one sin, however small, to remain and grow. Demons are working on a way to trap you at this very moment so be very alert or you will be defeated. We may be ready for the large battles and faithfully fight them, then fall into a cleverly laid trap of the enemy (1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26).
Solomon, too, is an example of someone who was brought down by deception and trickery. Despite all his wisdom and riches, he followed his father’s example and married many women (1 Kings 11:3). He went way beyond David in this, though, and these women led him into idolatry and paganism (1 Kings 11:4). He had everything but lost it.
LESSON FOR TODAY: Those closest to us can be used to mislead us and tempt us into sin, as Eve did with Adam (Genesis 3:6) and perhaps Job’s wife when she told him to curse God and die (Job 2:9). Don’t mistrust those closest to you, but if they tempt you to stray from the truth even the littlest bit avoids that trap of Satan’s and do what you know God wants.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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