2 Samuel 11:1-5 records the story of David and Bathsheba. David the King, who should have been off at war rests at home and with time on his hands and power in his hands, he spots, desires, and takes Bathsheba. She is someone else’s wife and the list of sins that follow are numerous.

The sins are obvious – can you name them? Lust, adultery, deceit, and eventually more lies and murder.

When does sin become sin? When I think of doing something? We call that temptation, or is it when we decide to act on our thoughts or is in the act? All of us have temptations. All of us.

Let me tell you a personal conviction. I don’t buy lottery tickets. Why? Well first of all the government gets enough of my money! Secondly, I feel that buying lottery tickets is a lack of faith in God. The only reason people buy lottery tickets is to strike it rich and get a windfall. If I say I trust in God to make provision for us then I think it is important that I act to demonstrate my faith. So I don’t buy lottery tickets.

You see – temptation is in the mind. The fight is in our thoughts long before it is in our action.

1 Samuel 17 records the beginning of the story of David and Goliath. A young man who had trusted God when he came up against a bear or a lion trying to steal his sheep. And so when he saw Goliath he simply believed that if God could look after a bear or lion he could help him triumph over Goliath. David decided long before he met Goliath that he trusted God.

David had insight into the future based on hindsight.

This is true for us too. Good insight is based on good hindsight.

Matthew 22:37 “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Yes, love the Lord your God with all your mind.

Peter writes to his readers:

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” – 1 Peter 1:13

Our minds are interesting organs. I have self-assessed myself as having ADHD so I am well acquainted with the word “squirrel”. Yes I am easily distracted!

Now where was I?

Oh, yes I need to slow myself down and commit myself to slowing my reactions down so I have time to think.

How easy is it to name David’s sins? John 8 tells the story of a woman caught in adultery. There are none in the end who will condemn here and Jesus has a wonderful message for all who would. He says, “he who is without sin may cast the first stone.”

Isn’t it true that we easily can identify the wrongs – the sins – of others. We need to committ ourselves to let God judge others. Our place is to encourage, maybe warn, but to remember my own weaknesses. I do not have the right to throw stones.

What is important is my own heart, my own mind.

An early written book in the New Testament is 1 Thessalonians. Here’s what Paul wrote.

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.