March 23rd
“However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” 2 Samuel 12:14 NKJV
If you are not familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba, please read it in 2 Samuel 11. This occurred at the height of David’s reign as King of Israel. Nathan the prophet visited David a year after David sinned and confronted him about the sin of adultery and murder he had committed. David confessed his sin and the Lord forgave him (2 Samuel 12:13), but the consequences of his sin were not removed and had lasting effects on David’s family. One of the consequences was that David’s son by Bathsheba would die.
The above verse illustrates a critical point about spiritual warfare that sex addicts need to know about: our sin opens the door for the devil to attack us. In this case, the devil could have legally killed David, because of David’s oath to Nathan concerning the sin in 2 Samuel 12:5, but God spared David (2 Samuel 12:13). However, since David’s sin “gave great occasion to the enemies of the Lord,” David’s son would die.
When we sin, we open a doorway to the devil for attack. Our sin may not carry the same consequences David suffered, but it certainly could. When a door is opened to the devil, he has a “foothold” from which to bring oppression into our lives. If we keep opening the door through habitual sin like porn addiction, we are likely to fall victim to increasing bondage. The more often the door is open, the more damage and power we yield to the devil over us.
Once you recognize this pattern in your life, you can take steps to close the door to the devil and work with God in repairing the damage that the devil has done to you. This basically involves confessing your sin and turning away from it. For more details, please visit our Freedom Journey I study.
Questions for further thought:
How does God protect us from the devil when we are living in righteousness? (Psalm 91; 2 Samuel 22:31)
What does the devil spend the majority of his time doing? (1 Peter 5:8-9)
In what ways has your sin opened doors to the enemy to oppress you?
Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, Thank you for protecting me from the evil one. Thank you for being my strong fortress and my rock. Please forgive me for any sin that I have tolerated in my life. By the blood of Jesus, I close the door to the devil. I apply the blood of Jesus to any foothold I may have given the devil in my life. Thank you, Father, for cleansing me from my sin and counting me as righteous in your sight. Please help me to live in purity and to never again open the door to the devil. Thank you, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”