1 00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,260 Speaker 1: But I say to you that everyone who looks at 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:07,400 Speaker 1: a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with 3 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:15,470 Speaker 1: her in his heart. Matthew 5.28 Dear Lord, This command 4 00:00:15,650 --> 00:00:19,290 Speaker 1: challenges us to examine the purity of our thoughts and 5 00:00:19,329 --> 00:00:25,150 Speaker 1: the intentions behind our gaze. We confess that we often 6 00:00:25,270 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: fall short of this standard. In a world saturated with 7 00:00:30,020 --> 00:00:35,890 Speaker 1: temptations and images that provoke impure thoughts, we struggle to 8 00:00:35,930 --> 00:00:40,870 Speaker 1: keep our hearts and minds clean. Not just with matters 9 00:00:40,909 --> 00:00:46,230 Speaker 1: of lust, but with greed, covetousness, and jealousy as well. 10 00:00:48,180 --> 00:00:52,180 Speaker 1: We ask for your strength and your grace to guard 11 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 1: our eyes and our thoughts, to resist the lure of lust. 12 00:00:57,340 --> 00:01:03,090 Speaker 1: that seeks to entrap us. Purify our hearts and renew 13 00:01:03,270 --> 00:01:07,830 Speaker 1: our minds. Help us to see others not as objects, 14 00:01:07,990 --> 00:01:13,450 Speaker 1: but as precious beings made in your image, worthy of 15 00:01:13,550 --> 00:01:20,400 Speaker 1: respect and dignity. Create in us a steadfast spirit that 16 00:01:20,459 --> 00:01:25,620 Speaker 1: seeks to honor you in all our relationships. Teach us 17 00:01:25,660 --> 00:01:31,460 Speaker 1: to value true love and fidelity, reflecting the faithful love 18 00:01:31,900 --> 00:01:36,819 Speaker 1: Christ has for His Church. May we be committed to 19 00:01:36,940 --> 00:01:42,370 Speaker 1: nurturing purity in every aspect of our lives, so that 20 00:01:42,430 --> 00:01:47,810 Speaker 1: we may stand before You blameless, our lives a testament 21 00:01:48,450 --> 00:01:54,270 Speaker 1: to Your transformative power. In the name of Jesus, who 22 00:01:54,330 --> 00:02:00,540 Speaker 1: grants us the victory over every sin We pray. Amen. 23 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:05,540 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. This is the 24 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:13,220 Speaker 1: Jesus Podcast. Gospel stories reimagined with immersive storytelling and thoughtful reflection. 25 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 1: Stick around for another story inspired by the Sermon on 26 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:21,910 Speaker 1: the Mount. If this podcast has blessed you, we'd love 27 00:02:21,940 --> 00:02:25,150 Speaker 1: it if you left a review. We want to hear 28 00:02:25,210 --> 00:02:32,270 Speaker 1: how the gospel is transforming lives. Jesus lifted his arms 29 00:02:32,330 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: and pretended he was balancing a scale. He lifted one 30 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:38,359 Speaker 1: arm up and said,' You have. 31 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:41,260 Speaker 2: Heard it said to those of old, you shall not murder, 32 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:45,930 Speaker 2: and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. But I 33 00:02:45,990 --> 00:02:49,610 Speaker 2: tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will 34 00:02:49,630 --> 00:02:53,900 Speaker 2: be liable to judgment.' Whoever insults his brother will be 35 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 2: liable to the council, and whoever says, you fool, will 36 00:02:58,220 --> 00:03:00,340 Speaker 2: be liable to the hellfire. 37 00:03:01,010 --> 00:03:04,790 Speaker 1: Jesus raised the standard, piercing straight to the heart. 38 00:03:05,389 --> 00:03:07,329 Speaker 2: If you are worshiping in the house of the Lord, 39 00:03:07,810 --> 00:03:10,710 Speaker 2: and remember there that your brother has something against you, 40 00:03:11,290 --> 00:03:15,350 Speaker 2: leave the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, 41 00:03:16,050 --> 00:03:18,010 Speaker 2: then come and worship. 42 00:03:18,630 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 1: Jesus lifted the other arm, continuing to explain the nature 43 00:03:23,020 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 1: of the heart and God's view of sin. 44 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 2: But I say to you, everyone who looks at a 45 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:35,060 Speaker 2: woman with objectifying lust has already committed adultery in his heart. 46 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:38,380 Speaker 1: The men in the crowd stirred, all of a sudden 47 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:47,930 Speaker 1: feeling vulnerable, called out. Jesus lifted an earnest voice and said, If. 48 00:03:47,910 --> 00:03:50,450 Speaker 2: Your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. 49 00:03:51,190 --> 00:03:53,450 Speaker 2: It's better that you lose only one of your members 50 00:03:53,890 --> 00:03:58,030 Speaker 2: than your whole body being thrown into hell. If your 51 00:03:58,070 --> 00:04:00,660 Speaker 2: right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. 52 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 3: Throw it away. 53 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:04,820 Speaker 2: It's better to lose one of your members than for 54 00:04:04,860 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 2: your whole body to burn in hell. 55 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 4: The second you say, oh, well, I would never commit 56 00:04:12,780 --> 00:04:15,550 Speaker 4: that sin, is the moment you let your guard down 57 00:04:15,610 --> 00:04:19,050 Speaker 4: to it. You stop praying for resolve, and the enemy 58 00:04:19,210 --> 00:04:23,100 Speaker 4: creeps right in, unnoticed. Before you know it, you're committing 59 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:26,659 Speaker 4: the very acts you said you'd never do. This is 60 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 4: the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan with Pray.com. Join us as 61 00:04:31,420 --> 00:04:34,410 Speaker 4: we continue our mini-series through the Sermon on the Mount. 62 00:04:35,270 --> 00:04:38,229 Speaker 4: We've been connecting biblical stories to the gospel message of 63 00:04:38,290 --> 00:04:41,850 Speaker 4: Jesus spoken in the Sermon on the Mount. Take a 64 00:04:41,890 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 4: moment today to follow the podcast and subscribe on whatever 65 00:04:45,180 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 4: platform you listen to. Doing so makes sure you never 66 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:53,770 Speaker 4: miss an episode. We really appreciate you listening. Artfully crafting 67 00:04:53,810 --> 00:04:56,890 Speaker 4: these stories has been a joy, and we're looking forward 68 00:04:56,930 --> 00:05:00,610 Speaker 4: to making more. Today, we turn our focus to a 69 00:05:00,710 --> 00:05:03,950 Speaker 4: powerful teaching from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount found in 70 00:05:04,010 --> 00:05:10,339 Speaker 4: Matthew 5, verses 27-30. This passage addresses the deep issues 71 00:05:10,420 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 4: of lust and adultery, and we'll connect it to the 72 00:05:14,140 --> 00:05:19,370 Speaker 4: tragic story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. Together, 73 00:05:19,570 --> 00:05:23,650 Speaker 4: we'll explore how adultery begins with small compromises in the 74 00:05:23,730 --> 00:05:29,270 Speaker 4: heart and grows into something uncontrollable, emphasizing the need to 75 00:05:29,330 --> 00:05:31,070 Speaker 4: guard our hearts diligently. 76 00:05:33,330 --> 00:05:35,909 Speaker 1: David lay on a small bed of cushions on the 77 00:05:35,950 --> 00:05:41,350 Speaker 1: balcony of his roof, soaking in the day's warmth. The 78 00:05:41,410 --> 00:05:45,239 Speaker 1: sun kissed his skin, and the slight coolness of the 79 00:05:45,270 --> 00:05:50,360 Speaker 1: breeze kept him from overheating. The king was half asleep, 80 00:05:51,260 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: enjoying a perfectly peaceful afternoon and resting his bones after 81 00:05:56,440 --> 00:06:01,910 Speaker 1: a long battle. After his conquest of the Syrians, David 82 00:06:01,970 --> 00:06:05,850 Speaker 1: returned home to rest and enjoy a break from the 83 00:06:05,910 --> 00:06:10,650 Speaker 1: chaos of war. However, the Ammonites were still a threat 84 00:06:10,690 --> 00:06:16,850 Speaker 1: to Israel. David sent his men on his behalf. Although 85 00:06:16,930 --> 00:06:19,610 Speaker 1: his duty as king was to be present in battle, 86 00:06:20,610 --> 00:06:25,890 Speaker 1: David thought he had earned a break. The king stretched 87 00:06:25,930 --> 00:06:30,480 Speaker 1: his weary body out on the pillows and yawned. This 88 00:06:30,540 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: was the first pause he had given himself since becoming king. 89 00:06:35,980 --> 00:06:39,620 Speaker 1: David lounged and sipped on a cup of wine, allowing 90 00:06:39,700 --> 00:06:43,710 Speaker 1: lethargy to set in. He stood to his feet and 91 00:06:43,850 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 1: balanced himself on the railing. He closed his eyes and 92 00:06:47,940 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 1: drew in the sweet spring air. His head was foggy 93 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:58,750 Speaker 1: and his mind was sluggish from napping. The king perused 94 00:06:58,790 --> 00:07:03,390 Speaker 1: the city below, sipping his cup and smiling at the passers-by. 95 00:07:05,410 --> 00:07:10,090 Speaker 1: Another lethargic yawn exhaled from his mouth. And just as 96 00:07:10,130 --> 00:07:14,270 Speaker 1: he was about to retreat into his home, something caught 97 00:07:14,330 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: his eye. a woman was bathing in a tub on 98 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 1: her roof, enjoying the sun's warmth. David initially looked away, 99 00:07:26,740 --> 00:07:32,580 Speaker 1: then paused to do a double take. He leaned even 100 00:07:32,660 --> 00:07:38,290 Speaker 1: further over the railing and took in the view. She 101 00:07:38,350 --> 00:07:43,450 Speaker 1: was breathtakingly beautiful. She glistened from the sun reflecting on 102 00:07:43,470 --> 00:07:47,810 Speaker 1: the water, and David could see nearly every inch of 103 00:07:47,850 --> 00:07:54,300 Speaker 1: her stunning frame. Breathtaking! His mind was fogged, and judgment dulled. 104 00:07:56,320 --> 00:08:00,700 Speaker 1: Chills crawled up David's back. He felt the subtle seed 105 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:06,290 Speaker 1: of lust making a home in his heart. Although David 106 00:08:06,370 --> 00:08:09,470 Speaker 1: had his pick of women, and more wives than one 107 00:08:09,530 --> 00:08:15,170 Speaker 1: man should have, he felt drawn to her. Perhaps it 108 00:08:15,210 --> 00:08:19,490 Speaker 1: was because she wasn't his, and he wanted what he 109 00:08:19,590 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: couldn't have. Maybe it was because he felt he deserved 110 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:29,340 Speaker 1: a gift after being so faithful. Whatever the thought was, 111 00:08:30,460 --> 00:08:35,990 Speaker 1: it possessed David to near madness. He grew anxious with 112 00:08:36,020 --> 00:08:41,610 Speaker 1: desire and couldn't remove her from his gaze. Every single 113 00:08:41,710 --> 00:08:46,150 Speaker 1: movement of hers enraptured him. He watched as the wet 114 00:08:46,230 --> 00:08:50,510 Speaker 1: cloth rubbed against her smooth skin. He gaped at her 115 00:08:50,590 --> 00:08:55,350 Speaker 1: full lips as she splashed water over her face. She 116 00:08:55,390 --> 00:09:00,350 Speaker 1: finished bathing and wrapped herself up. The play was over, 117 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: but David was hoping for a second act. 118 00:09:05,020 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 3: I must have her. She must be mine. 119 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:10,559 Speaker 1: He turned back and beckoned his servant to come near. 120 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,780 Speaker 1: He gestured to the home where the woman was. 121 00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:16,939 Speaker 3: Who lives in this house? Who was that woman I 122 00:09:16,980 --> 00:09:17,660 Speaker 3: saw on the roof? 123 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:21,500 Speaker 5: The only one currently in the home is Bathsheba, the 124 00:09:21,540 --> 00:09:25,170 Speaker 5: wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of the Almighty Men. 125 00:09:26,370 --> 00:09:29,550 Speaker 5: He is away with Joab in battle, so she is alone. 126 00:09:29,950 --> 00:09:33,929 Speaker 1: David nodded and held back an excited smile. He was 127 00:09:33,990 --> 00:09:39,709 Speaker 1: silent momentarily, considering what he was about to do. On 128 00:09:39,750 --> 00:09:44,300 Speaker 1: the surface, it seemed like just one decision. However, up 129 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:48,180 Speaker 1: until now, David had a pattern of recklessness in his 130 00:09:48,260 --> 00:09:56,130 Speaker 1: romantic relationships. He acquired many wives and concubines without consideration 131 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:59,720 Speaker 1: of what it would do to his heart and theirs. 132 00:10:01,860 --> 00:10:06,780 Speaker 1: This one moment was the climax of a thousand small compromises. 133 00:10:07,460 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: Bring her to me, the servant said nothing. He simply 134 00:10:11,820 --> 00:10:17,420 Speaker 1: bowed his head and left. David stood up, straightened out 135 00:10:17,460 --> 00:10:21,579 Speaker 1: his royal robes, and went to his bedchambers to prepare. 136 00:10:23,059 --> 00:10:28,580 Speaker 1: The moon's silvery gleams descended in full brightness. David didn't 137 00:10:28,620 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 1: look up at the sky, as he often did. He 138 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 1: didn't want to look up, for then he would be 139 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: forced to think of his God, the author of his 140 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: faith and convictions. Instead, he settled his gaze upon the fireplace. 141 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:50,620 Speaker 1: The intense heat radiated into the rest of the room. 142 00:10:52,190 --> 00:10:56,470 Speaker 1: David's lust burned like the heat of the flames. The 143 00:10:56,530 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 1: burning passion made him drunk. The truth is, he had 144 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,319 Speaker 1: already made the decision when he allowed himself to gaze 145 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:11,180 Speaker 1: at Bathsheba. The spirit of adultery had already coiled around 146 00:11:11,250 --> 00:11:16,929 Speaker 1: his heart and mind, squeezing the conviction out of him. 147 00:11:18,710 --> 00:11:24,820 Speaker 1: It made the next decision all too easy. The large 148 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:29,900 Speaker 1: double door built of cedar and iron opened slowly. The 149 00:11:29,970 --> 00:11:34,050 Speaker 1: light emanating from the flames illuminated the room just enough 150 00:11:34,070 --> 00:11:37,809 Speaker 1: for him to see her. She wore a tight linen 151 00:11:37,870 --> 00:11:43,470 Speaker 1: dress that rested delicately over her waist. Her brown wavy 152 00:11:43,510 --> 00:11:47,670 Speaker 1: hair lay over her shoulders, barely hidden by her head covering. 153 00:11:49,190 --> 00:11:54,090 Speaker 1: She walked in nervously. He watched every move of her 154 00:11:54,150 --> 00:11:58,550 Speaker 1: hips as she walked forward. They swayed back and forth 155 00:11:58,890 --> 00:12:04,770 Speaker 1: like a pendulum, keeping David's full attention. There was silence 156 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:07,839 Speaker 1: for a short while as they stood and stared at 157 00:12:07,940 --> 00:12:12,790 Speaker 1: one another. Bathsheba was terrified, but couldn't show it. 158 00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:15,220 Speaker 3: You summoned me, Lord? 159 00:12:15,900 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: She knew David's intentions. Why else would she be brought 160 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:21,380 Speaker 1: to his chambers alone? 161 00:12:21,870 --> 00:12:22,310 Speaker 4: In the night. 162 00:12:24,170 --> 00:12:28,190 Speaker 1: She came to him, but the choice was an illusion. 163 00:12:29,410 --> 00:12:34,380 Speaker 1: She couldn't refuse the king. David was blinded by lust. 164 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:39,060 Speaker 1: It hindered his ability to hear the fear in her voice. 165 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 1: It kept him from seeing the shift in her eyes. 166 00:12:44,900 --> 00:12:49,420 Speaker 1: The white noise of self-indulgence drowned out the voice of 167 00:12:49,490 --> 00:12:56,970 Speaker 1: his conscience. He stepped closer, and Bathsheba froze. She looked 168 00:12:57,050 --> 00:13:02,170 Speaker 1: up at him. He was handsome and with kind eyes. 169 00:13:03,550 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 1: He was impressive, but most of her felt shame, fear, 170 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: and helplessness. 171 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:12,819 Speaker 3: I shouldn't be here. 172 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:16,580 Speaker 1: David took his hand and gently placed it on her chin, 173 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: directing her face back at his. David leaned in and 174 00:13:22,220 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: kissed her as the flickering flame continued to burn. She 175 00:13:27,250 --> 00:13:32,470 Speaker 1: kissed him in return. And thus began the night of sin. 176 00:13:34,090 --> 00:13:38,470 Speaker 1: David wrapped his arms around Bathsheba. In the heat of passion, 177 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:42,319 Speaker 1: he didn't think of his family. In the forbidden pleasure, 178 00:13:42,620 --> 00:13:48,319 Speaker 1: he didn't think of Uriah. David enjoyed every second of 179 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:55,450 Speaker 1: his sin. He felt invincible, untouchable, and immune to the 180 00:13:55,490 --> 00:14:03,910 Speaker 1: effects of his actions. He was gravely mistaken. Weeks passed, 181 00:14:04,630 --> 00:14:07,010 Speaker 1: and David did his best to remove the night of 182 00:14:07,090 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: sin from his mind. But he couldn't. He thought about 183 00:14:11,929 --> 00:14:17,220 Speaker 1: Bathsheba more and more as the days rolled on. It 184 00:14:17,260 --> 00:14:21,390 Speaker 1: was not love that David felt. No, he simply loved 185 00:14:21,470 --> 00:14:25,550 Speaker 1: the pleasure she brought him. It was a low point 186 00:14:26,030 --> 00:14:32,070 Speaker 1: for God's anointed king. After his midnight escapade with Bathsheba, 187 00:14:33,010 --> 00:14:39,260 Speaker 1: David continued to shirk his responsibilities. David's servant entered the hall. 188 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: He twiddled his thumbs and looked away, considering what to 189 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: say next. 190 00:14:45,620 --> 00:14:48,670 Speaker 5: My lord, I have been told Bathsheba desires to speak 191 00:14:48,710 --> 00:14:52,290 Speaker 5: with you. She has requested that she come immediately. 192 00:14:53,070 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 3: Excellent news. Then bring her to me. I shall prepare. 193 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,140 Speaker 3: And as always, tell no one of this. 194 00:15:01,740 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 1: The servant knew what David didn't. He sent for her. 195 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:08,740 Speaker 1: And in the secrecy of night, the young woman was 196 00:15:08,850 --> 00:15:13,630 Speaker 1: brought into his chambers. David ran his hand through her 197 00:15:13,670 --> 00:15:14,910 Speaker 1: hair and smiled. 198 00:15:15,910 --> 00:15:17,930 Speaker 3: You look radiant. 199 00:15:18,650 --> 00:15:22,570 Speaker 1: David reached for her. She pulled away and looked at 200 00:15:22,610 --> 00:15:24,050 Speaker 1: him with fearful eyes. 201 00:15:24,790 --> 00:15:30,610 Speaker 3: What's wrong? My king, I am pregnant. 202 00:15:31,210 --> 00:15:35,930 Speaker 1: Tears welled up in her eyes and she began to weep. 203 00:15:37,790 --> 00:15:43,050 Speaker 1: David stepped back and leaned against the table. His heart 204 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 1: began to pound heavily and for the first time in 205 00:15:46,820 --> 00:15:50,380 Speaker 1: weeks he felt completely sober. 206 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 3: The words stung David's heart. 207 00:15:53,860 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 2: He had neglected his responsibilities as king. 208 00:15:57,110 --> 00:15:59,030 Speaker 3: He leveraged his status to take advantage of her. Now 209 00:15:59,090 --> 00:16:01,370 Speaker 3: would usually be the time when David leaned. 210 00:16:01,350 --> 00:16:03,050 Speaker 1: On the wisdom of God. 211 00:16:03,070 --> 00:16:04,020 Speaker 3: However.... 212 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: He had already created a habit of listening to his 213 00:16:22,780 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: voice instead of the Lord's. He ignored his instinct to 214 00:16:28,460 --> 00:16:34,260 Speaker 1: pray and frantically reassured Bathsheba that he would handle everything. 215 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 3: Do not worry, my dear. I shall make this right. 216 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,460 Speaker 3: You will not be cast aside. All will be well again. 217 00:16:42,260 --> 00:16:45,780 Speaker 1: He sent her back home to rest. The king sat 218 00:16:45,830 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: down at his table and pulled at his hair. He 219 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: called his servant. 220 00:16:49,980 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 3: And said, Send word to Job. I need Uriah to 221 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 3: be taken from battle and return to me. 222 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: The servant bowed his head and did as he was told. 223 00:17:00,660 --> 00:17:03,540 Speaker 1: David pressed his head against the table and groaned. 224 00:17:04,740 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 3: What a mess I've made. 225 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:10,580 Speaker 1: Lust is a trapdoor to all other sorts of sins 226 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:16,500 Speaker 1: and tragedies. The king sat on his throne, listening to 227 00:17:16,540 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 1: the elders give reports on their tribes. He took note 228 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:26,950 Speaker 1: of the small disputes, glaring needs, and successful growth. David 229 00:17:27,190 --> 00:17:31,030 Speaker 1: was always adept at listening to the elders and considering 230 00:17:31,070 --> 00:17:35,550 Speaker 1: their wisdom regarding the kingdom. It was a trait that 231 00:17:35,590 --> 00:17:38,290 Speaker 1: he had hoped to pass down to his son Absalom, 232 00:17:38,930 --> 00:17:44,500 Speaker 1: heir to the throne. Yet today, David's mind was elsewhere. 233 00:17:45,820 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 1: He was thinking about this new child in Bathsheba's womb. 234 00:17:50,750 --> 00:17:56,719 Speaker 1: He was anxious and nervously awaited Uriah's arrival. After the 235 00:17:56,820 --> 00:18:01,159 Speaker 1: elders departed, the doors opened and the messenger walked in 236 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:07,100 Speaker 1: with Uriah. His hair was dirty and soaked. His armor 237 00:18:07,140 --> 00:18:12,790 Speaker 1: was stained red and caked with mud. David's heart beat 238 00:18:12,850 --> 00:18:18,169 Speaker 1: profoundly at the sight of him. Uriah was a loyal friend, 239 00:18:19,150 --> 00:18:22,590 Speaker 1: one of his mighty men. who followed him in the wilderness. 240 00:18:24,190 --> 00:18:28,050 Speaker 1: Yet the desire to cover up his sin was more 241 00:18:28,130 --> 00:18:32,930 Speaker 1: significant than his conviction. And it took David no time 242 00:18:33,619 --> 00:18:34,720 Speaker 1: to begin his lies. 243 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 3: Uriah, I'm glad you've come. You must be weary from 244 00:18:39,260 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 3: your travels. Go, wash yourself, greet your wife. We should 245 00:18:44,220 --> 00:18:46,940 Speaker 3: talk about the battle when you've bathed and had a 246 00:18:46,980 --> 00:18:47,780 Speaker 3: proper embrace. 247 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:51,350 Speaker 4: With all due respect, my king, I want to update 248 00:18:51,369 --> 00:18:55,460 Speaker 4: you on the battle and request reinforcements. Then I would 249 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,640 Speaker 4: like to return to the men. They need me. 250 00:18:59,359 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 1: David winced at Uriah's noble heart. Pangs of conviction began 251 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:09,050 Speaker 1: to bubble up, but he ignored them. He wouldn't admit 252 00:19:09,109 --> 00:19:13,010 Speaker 1: his fault. He needed to continue manipulating. 253 00:19:13,670 --> 00:19:17,370 Speaker 3: I admire your spirit. However, I have much to do 254 00:19:17,450 --> 00:19:18,450 Speaker 3: before the day is over. 255 00:19:19,369 --> 00:19:23,810 Speaker 6: Let us convene tomorrow. Go home, enjoy a warm bed 256 00:19:23,850 --> 00:19:27,710 Speaker 6: with your wife, and we shall speak at daybreak. Uriah 257 00:19:27,750 --> 00:19:31,330 Speaker 6: didn't do what he was told. He waited outside the 258 00:19:31,350 --> 00:19:34,910 Speaker 6: king's house and rested his head against the stone walls. 259 00:19:36,310 --> 00:19:40,090 Speaker 6: He closed his eyes and breathed in the spring air. 260 00:19:41,830 --> 00:19:46,550 Speaker 6: Uriah's weary bones relaxed outside, and he fell asleep near 261 00:19:46,590 --> 00:19:51,949 Speaker 6: the steps. David was up all night anxiously pacing back 262 00:19:52,050 --> 00:19:57,040 Speaker 6: and forth near the fire. He would be more comfortable 263 00:19:57,100 --> 00:20:03,159 Speaker 6: knowing Uriah was with Bathsheba. In all the anxiety and waiting, 264 00:20:04,220 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 6: it didn't occur to him to seek the Lord. The 265 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:13,659 Speaker 6: shame in his heart kept him from approaching God. Instead 266 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,379 Speaker 6: of confessing and bringing his sin to the altar of 267 00:20:16,420 --> 00:20:21,129 Speaker 6: the Lord, he buried his shame and sought to cover 268 00:20:21,250 --> 00:20:25,770 Speaker 6: up his sin. After a sleepless night in his room, 269 00:20:26,470 --> 00:20:31,189 Speaker 6: David rose at sunrise to walk in the garden. To 270 00:20:31,230 --> 00:20:36,020 Speaker 6: David's dismay, it was Uriah sleeping on the floor. 271 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 4: Uriah! 272 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,300 Speaker 3: What are you doing here? Why haven't you gone home 273 00:20:40,340 --> 00:20:41,020 Speaker 3: to Bathsheba? 274 00:20:41,700 --> 00:20:45,900 Speaker 1: Uriah stood at attention. He was shorter than David, yet 275 00:20:46,010 --> 00:20:48,750 Speaker 1: somehow seemed a hundred feet taller. 276 00:20:49,330 --> 00:20:52,490 Speaker 4: The Ark of Covenant dwells in a tent. Joab and 277 00:20:52,530 --> 00:20:55,350 Speaker 4: the others are camping in the mud with arrows fired 278 00:20:55,390 --> 00:20:58,980 Speaker 4: at them. For me to eat, drink, and lie with 279 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:02,860 Speaker 4: my wife would be a disgrace. How could I live 280 00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 4: with myself knowing that they are cold and vulnerable while 281 00:21:06,140 --> 00:21:07,260 Speaker 4: I am warm and full? 282 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:12,709 Speaker 1: David was growing irritated with Uriah's righteousness. It vexed him 283 00:21:12,970 --> 00:21:16,270 Speaker 1: to be in the presence of someone so devoted. It 284 00:21:16,350 --> 00:21:19,170 Speaker 1: made his shortcomings all the more real. 285 00:21:20,130 --> 00:21:23,730 Speaker 3: What a blessing to have you as a brother-in-arms, Uriah. Come, 286 00:21:24,390 --> 00:21:27,130 Speaker 3: let us eat and discuss the war. You shall stay 287 00:21:27,170 --> 00:21:29,860 Speaker 3: with me today, and I shall send you back tomorrow. 288 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:33,220 Speaker 1: The two discussed the battle, the state of the men, 289 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:38,189 Speaker 1: and the need to press forward. As the day drew on, 290 00:21:38,310 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 1: David brought meats, cheeses, and wine. He told the servants 291 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:47,460 Speaker 1: to always keep Uriah's cup full. To the best of 292 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:52,810 Speaker 1: David's ability, he tried to get the man drunk. Uriah 293 00:21:52,890 --> 00:21:56,910 Speaker 1: continued to drink. You must miss your wife dearly, Uriah. 294 00:21:57,510 --> 00:21:59,490 Speaker 1: She is very beautiful. 295 00:22:00,430 --> 00:22:06,310 Speaker 4: Oh, yes. She is the love of my life. A 296 00:22:06,420 --> 00:22:09,410 Speaker 4: cool spring in a desolate desert. 297 00:22:10,490 --> 00:22:13,850 Speaker 1: His poetic description of his wife did not help David 298 00:22:14,130 --> 00:22:14,750 Speaker 1: with his guilt. 299 00:22:15,609 --> 00:22:21,530 Speaker 3: Go home, Uriah. Embrace her as her husband. You're no 300 00:22:21,630 --> 00:22:23,450 Speaker 3: doubt anxious to bed her again. 301 00:22:23,470 --> 00:22:30,960 Speaker 4: I will not. She's a delicacy. If I bed her 302 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 4: with my comrades lying in the dirt, what kind of 303 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:37,560 Speaker 4: man am I? Why should I bathe in gold while 304 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 4: they bathe in filth? No, I'll sleep here and then 305 00:22:43,380 --> 00:22:45,459 Speaker 4: leave in the morning. 306 00:22:46,100 --> 00:22:49,560 Speaker 1: Uriah stumbled up onto his feet, knocking over his cup 307 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:56,260 Speaker 1: in the process. He steadied himself and focused. After composing himself, 308 00:22:56,380 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 1: he waddled to a nearby lounging area and fell face 309 00:23:00,369 --> 00:23:05,500 Speaker 1: first into the cushions. David tried shaking him awake. but 310 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:10,109 Speaker 1: the man was fast asleep. The king shook in frustration. 311 00:23:11,369 --> 00:23:14,369 Speaker 1: There would be no chance now of Uriah sleeping with 312 00:23:14,410 --> 00:23:21,340 Speaker 1: his wife. David found himself at a crossroads. He could 313 00:23:21,380 --> 00:23:26,119 Speaker 1: either give up on the charade and confess, or continue 314 00:23:26,140 --> 00:23:29,240 Speaker 1: to get tangled in the web of lies he had spun. 315 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:35,260 Speaker 1: David clenched his fists and tensed his whole body. He 316 00:23:35,300 --> 00:23:40,460 Speaker 1: had so much rage boiling up in him. Lust gave 317 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 1: way to compromise. Compromise gave way to corruption. Corruption gave 318 00:23:46,420 --> 00:23:47,420 Speaker 1: way to rage. 319 00:23:48,020 --> 00:23:50,870 Speaker 3: What am I going to do? He's ruined everything. 320 00:23:51,330 --> 00:23:55,149 Speaker 1: David was unable to see that Uriah had done nothing wrong. 321 00:23:56,050 --> 00:23:58,929 Speaker 1: It was he who had gotten himself into this situation. 322 00:24:00,350 --> 00:24:03,230 Speaker 1: He paused his clamoring for a moment and drew a 323 00:24:03,270 --> 00:24:07,850 Speaker 1: deep breath. He closed his eyes and thought about his options. 324 00:24:08,970 --> 00:24:11,469 Speaker 3: Then an idea came to him. 325 00:24:13,090 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 1: In all his years, he had never considered something so 326 00:24:17,580 --> 00:24:23,159 Speaker 1: heinous and sinful. Yet he had already trained his mind 327 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:29,889 Speaker 1: to ignore the voice of God. Without a second thought, 328 00:24:30,970 --> 00:24:34,300 Speaker 1: David re-entered his home. and began to write a message 329 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:35,160 Speaker 1: to Joab. 330 00:24:35,780 --> 00:24:38,879 Speaker 3: Job, it has come to my attention that the front 331 00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:43,300 Speaker 3: lines require more soldiers. After Uriah's visit, I have decided 332 00:24:43,340 --> 00:24:47,379 Speaker 3: to send you reinforcements. However, I am also requesting something 333 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:50,969 Speaker 3: from you. It is a matter of great importance and 334 00:24:50,990 --> 00:24:54,129 Speaker 3: will require your secrecy as my commander and right hand. 335 00:24:54,810 --> 00:24:58,390 Speaker 3: You must set Uriah at the forefront of the harshest 336 00:24:58,450 --> 00:25:02,090 Speaker 3: parts of the battlefield. When he marches in, Order the 337 00:25:02,190 --> 00:25:06,410 Speaker 3: other soldiers to delay before following him. I need Uriah 338 00:25:06,510 --> 00:25:10,850 Speaker 3: to fall on the battlefield. Considering my forgiveness of your 339 00:25:10,910 --> 00:25:13,869 Speaker 3: crimes against Abner, I trust that you will obey me 340 00:25:13,930 --> 00:25:16,450 Speaker 3: without question. King David. 341 00:25:17,270 --> 00:25:20,290 Speaker 1: David sealed the letter with his royal emblem and had 342 00:25:20,330 --> 00:25:25,250 Speaker 1: his messenger leave immediately for Joab. He sat back in 343 00:25:25,290 --> 00:25:30,200 Speaker 1: his seat, contemplating what he had just done. He had 344 00:25:30,300 --> 00:25:36,040 Speaker 1: set in motion something that could not be undone. Tomorrow, 345 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:42,100 Speaker 1: Uriah would leave to fight, and he would never return. 346 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:50,909 Speaker 1: Nothing would ever be the same. Weeks passed, and David 347 00:25:50,950 --> 00:25:55,070 Speaker 1: arose before the sunrise. He rolled out of bed and 348 00:25:55,130 --> 00:25:59,510 Speaker 1: looked at his new bride beside him. He had married Bathsheba, 349 00:25:59,920 --> 00:26:04,860 Speaker 1: after Uriah's death. The anxiety of covering up their affair 350 00:26:05,340 --> 00:26:11,429 Speaker 1: had left them exhausted. David had a disquieted soul, but 351 00:26:11,470 --> 00:26:16,950 Speaker 1: he didn't know it. The radical self-reflection he once had 352 00:26:17,850 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: was gone. His conscience was like an unsharpened blade, rusty 353 00:26:25,020 --> 00:26:29,909 Speaker 1: and dull. He had spent so much time quieting the 354 00:26:29,950 --> 00:26:33,409 Speaker 1: voice of God's spirit within him that it was nearly 355 00:26:33,530 --> 00:26:39,630 Speaker 1: impossible for him to feel guilty anymore. He wrapped himself 356 00:26:39,670 --> 00:26:42,570 Speaker 1: in his royal robes and left the house to stroll 357 00:26:42,650 --> 00:26:47,070 Speaker 1: among the gardens. The mild spring air was slowly giving 358 00:26:47,130 --> 00:26:51,060 Speaker 1: way to the heat of summer. He walked the gardens 359 00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:56,520 Speaker 1: humming an old tune and listening to the birds. Then, 360 00:26:56,960 --> 00:27:02,800 Speaker 1: almost out of nowhere, Nathan, the prophet, appeared. The king gasped, 361 00:27:03,660 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: then let out a sigh of relief. 362 00:27:06,700 --> 00:27:10,149 Speaker 3: Nathan, you startled me. It was great to see you 363 00:27:10,210 --> 00:27:12,930 Speaker 3: at the wedding. Bathsheba and I were pleased to have 364 00:27:12,970 --> 00:27:13,389 Speaker 3: you there. 365 00:27:14,310 --> 00:27:18,780 Speaker 4: I wouldn't have missed it, my son. However, I wish 366 00:27:18,890 --> 00:27:23,600 Speaker 4: I could carry on in the celebration, but alas, I cannot. 367 00:27:23,619 --> 00:27:23,699 Speaker 6: What? 368 00:27:24,840 --> 00:27:26,600 Speaker 4: I have heard disturbing news. 369 00:27:27,380 --> 00:27:28,200 Speaker 3: What troubles you? 370 00:27:28,660 --> 00:27:31,440 Speaker 1: The old man gestured for the king to sit down. 371 00:27:32,780 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 1: The two sat beside one another, soaking in the new 372 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:40,550 Speaker 1: rays of the morning. Nathan sighed and said. 373 00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:46,210 Speaker 4: Ah, I have heard a report, my king, and I 374 00:27:46,250 --> 00:27:49,669 Speaker 4: would very much like your thoughts on the matter, for 375 00:27:49,710 --> 00:27:52,890 Speaker 4: you have a heart that seeks after justice. 376 00:27:53,609 --> 00:27:56,590 Speaker 3: I will do what I can, Nathan. Tell me what happened. 377 00:27:57,210 --> 00:28:00,710 Speaker 1: Nathan nodded and plucked a flower from the garden. He 378 00:28:00,770 --> 00:28:04,909 Speaker 1: twiddled it between his fingers and began to tell a story. 379 00:28:05,950 --> 00:28:08,930 Speaker 4: There were two men who lived in this same village. 380 00:28:09,630 --> 00:28:12,660 Speaker 4: One of them was very rich and the other was 381 00:28:13,140 --> 00:28:17,580 Speaker 4: very poor. The rich man had many flocks of sheep, 382 00:28:17,680 --> 00:28:22,440 Speaker 4: goats and several herd of oxen. He was abundantly blessed. 383 00:28:23,380 --> 00:28:28,409 Speaker 4: But the poor man had nothing but one single little lamb. 384 00:28:29,510 --> 00:28:32,010 Speaker 4: He had bought this lamb with money he had saved 385 00:28:32,050 --> 00:28:36,159 Speaker 4: for quite some time. He nursed the lamb, bathed it, 386 00:28:36,990 --> 00:28:40,410 Speaker 4: nurtured it. The little lamb would even sleep with his 387 00:28:40,550 --> 00:28:45,020 Speaker 4: children at night. The lamb was like a daughter to 388 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 4: this poor man. 389 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:50,959 Speaker 1: Nathan smiled and looked at David. The king enjoyed the 390 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:55,760 Speaker 1: story thus far. And Nathan knew he had his attention. 391 00:28:56,300 --> 00:29:01,560 Speaker 4: However, something disturbing happened to that poor man. One day, 392 00:29:01,580 --> 00:29:05,380 Speaker 4: a traveler came to visit the rich man. Now, the 393 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:08,540 Speaker 4: rich man wanted to feed his guest, but he didn't 394 00:29:08,600 --> 00:29:11,650 Speaker 4: want to prepare any of his own animals. So, in 395 00:29:11,690 --> 00:29:15,250 Speaker 4: the middle of the night, the rich man went into 396 00:29:15,290 --> 00:29:20,690 Speaker 4: the poor man's home and stole the little lamb. He 397 00:29:20,750 --> 00:29:25,300 Speaker 4: killed it. prepared him to feed his guest. And the 398 00:29:25,340 --> 00:29:27,180 Speaker 4: poor man was left with nothing. 399 00:29:27,820 --> 00:29:28,060 Speaker 1: What? 400 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:30,150 Speaker 3: Who is this man? 401 00:29:30,690 --> 00:29:34,070 Speaker 2: As the Lord lives, the man who has done this 402 00:29:34,130 --> 00:29:35,450 Speaker 2: deserves to die. 403 00:29:35,470 --> 00:29:39,660 Speaker 3: I will restore the lamb fourfold to the poor man. 404 00:29:40,840 --> 00:29:43,860 Speaker 3: What sort of egomaniacal monster would do such a thing? 405 00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:47,959 Speaker 1: Nathan stood to his feet and held out a finger 406 00:29:48,180 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: to the king. His eyes were filled with righteous indignation. 407 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:57,580 Speaker 1: The old prophet boomed his voice downward toward the king. 408 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:01,460 Speaker 7: You are that man, King David. 409 00:30:02,140 --> 00:30:06,700 Speaker 1: Nathan's voice carried and echoed across the garden, sending chills 410 00:30:06,980 --> 00:30:08,060 Speaker 1: down David's spine. 411 00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:10,580 Speaker 3: What do you mean? 412 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:14,300 Speaker 7: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel and the 413 00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 7: God of justice. I anointed you king over the nation 414 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 7: and I delivered you from the wrath of Saul. I 415 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:26,130 Speaker 7: gave you a home, wives and the nation. And if 416 00:30:26,470 --> 00:30:29,900 Speaker 7: all that were not enough, I've also added victories and 417 00:30:30,010 --> 00:30:34,750 Speaker 7: conquests to you. Why then have you despised my word 418 00:30:34,770 --> 00:30:38,890 Speaker 7: and done what is evil? You have struck down Uriah 419 00:30:38,910 --> 00:30:42,720 Speaker 7: the Hittite, a child of Israel, and taken his wife. 420 00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:47,000 Speaker 7: You have everything you could have ever wanted, yet you 421 00:30:47,060 --> 00:30:50,680 Speaker 7: stole from a man whose only treasure was his wife. 422 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:55,750 Speaker 1: David was shaken to his core. Nathan spoke with the 423 00:30:55,830 --> 00:31:00,940 Speaker 1: authority of God. He could feel the Lord's anger bubbling 424 00:31:01,260 --> 00:31:01,780 Speaker 1: all over. 425 00:31:02,460 --> 00:31:07,080 Speaker 7: Hear the word of the Lord, giant slayer. Behold, the 426 00:31:07,180 --> 00:31:10,270 Speaker 7: sword shall never depart from your house because of the 427 00:31:10,370 --> 00:31:15,770 Speaker 7: violence you enacted against Uriah. Violence will plague your household 428 00:31:16,290 --> 00:31:19,709 Speaker 7: and strife will come upon you. I will raise up 429 00:31:19,930 --> 00:31:23,560 Speaker 7: evil against you out of your own home. Your wives 430 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:26,020 Speaker 7: will scorn you and take on other lovers, and they 431 00:31:26,060 --> 00:31:29,460 Speaker 7: will do so publicly and in the sun. For you 432 00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:33,980 Speaker 7: did it secretly, but I will punish you before all Israel. 433 00:31:34,500 --> 00:31:38,400 Speaker 1: David fell to his knees. He wept at the feet 434 00:31:38,440 --> 00:31:38,940 Speaker 1: of Nathan. 435 00:31:40,140 --> 00:31:43,620 Speaker 3: I have sinned, Lord. I have no excuse. 436 00:31:44,420 --> 00:31:48,410 Speaker 1: Nathan knelt and touched David on the shoulder. He spoke 437 00:31:48,470 --> 00:31:51,030 Speaker 1: in a gentle voice, saying, Hmm. 438 00:31:52,110 --> 00:31:56,430 Speaker 4: The Lord will forgive you, my king. You will not die, 439 00:31:56,890 --> 00:32:02,630 Speaker 4: and your kingdom shall remain. Nevertheless, because of all the 440 00:32:02,690 --> 00:32:06,469 Speaker 4: strife and chaos this has caused, the child who was 441 00:32:06,530 --> 00:32:09,750 Speaker 4: born to you out of sin shall die. 442 00:32:10,430 --> 00:32:14,350 Speaker 1: David darted his eyes up to Nathan. He shook his 443 00:32:14,390 --> 00:32:18,850 Speaker 1: head in disbelief. But Nathan had nothing left to say. 444 00:32:20,610 --> 00:32:25,490 Speaker 1: He rose... and returned to his house, leaving David in 445 00:32:25,550 --> 00:32:28,070 Speaker 1: emotional and spiritual disarray. 446 00:32:28,850 --> 00:32:29,670 Speaker 3: What have I done? 447 00:32:30,750 --> 00:32:33,910 Speaker 1: David looked up at the sky for the first time 448 00:32:34,290 --> 00:32:34,830 Speaker 1: in weeks. 449 00:32:36,270 --> 00:32:37,310 Speaker 3: Where have I gone? 450 00:32:37,330 --> 00:32:41,110 Speaker 1: It was as if a fog had cleared from David's head, 451 00:32:42,090 --> 00:32:46,150 Speaker 1: and he could finally see what he had gotten himself 452 00:32:46,370 --> 00:32:50,750 Speaker 1: caught up in. He placed his face in his hands. 453 00:32:55,060 --> 00:32:56,340 Speaker 3: Who have I become? 454 00:32:58,660 --> 00:33:00,700 Speaker 4: You have heard that it was said, You shall not 455 00:33:00,740 --> 00:33:03,800 Speaker 4: commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks 456 00:33:03,860 --> 00:33:06,920 Speaker 4: at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her 457 00:33:07,100 --> 00:33:11,100 Speaker 4: in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, 458 00:33:11,540 --> 00:33:14,220 Speaker 4: gouge it out and throw it away. It is better 459 00:33:14,270 --> 00:33:16,230 Speaker 4: for you to lose one part of your body than 460 00:33:16,410 --> 00:33:20,270 Speaker 4: for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And 461 00:33:20,330 --> 00:33:22,810 Speaker 4: if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it 462 00:33:22,910 --> 00:33:25,560 Speaker 4: off and throw it away. It is better for you 463 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:27,780 Speaker 4: to lose one part of your body than for your 464 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:32,120 Speaker 4: whole body to go into hell. Jesus teaches that adultery 465 00:33:32,180 --> 00:33:35,400 Speaker 4: is not just a physical act, but begins in the 466 00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 4: heart with lustful thoughts. He emphasizes the seriousness of dealing 467 00:33:40,900 --> 00:33:45,290 Speaker 4: with sin at its root, using hyperbolic language to convey 468 00:33:45,350 --> 00:33:48,310 Speaker 4: the drastic measures we should take to guard our hearts 469 00:33:48,590 --> 00:33:53,710 Speaker 4: against lust and adultery. This teaching underscores the importance of 470 00:33:53,890 --> 00:33:57,360 Speaker 4: inner purity and the need to address sin before it 471 00:33:57,480 --> 00:34:02,530 Speaker 4: manifests in destructive actions. The story of David and Bathsheba 472 00:34:02,630 --> 00:34:07,190 Speaker 4: is a poignant illustration of how adultery begins with small 473 00:34:07,290 --> 00:34:13,609 Speaker 4: compromises and grows into something uncontrollable. David, a man after 474 00:34:13,650 --> 00:34:17,570 Speaker 4: God's own heart, allowed lust to take root in his heart, 475 00:34:18,219 --> 00:34:22,549 Speaker 4: leading to a series of tragic decisions. David's adultery with 476 00:34:22,610 --> 00:34:26,930 Speaker 4: Bathsheba did not begin with the act itself. First, he 477 00:34:27,010 --> 00:34:31,170 Speaker 4: shirked his responsibility to ride into battle with his men. Then, 478 00:34:31,550 --> 00:34:34,150 Speaker 4: he allowed his eyes to linger too long on a 479 00:34:34,190 --> 00:34:38,570 Speaker 4: woman that wasn't his wife. Then, he leveraged his power 480 00:34:38,630 --> 00:34:43,589 Speaker 4: to gain access to her. After that, everything snowballed and 481 00:34:43,660 --> 00:34:50,330 Speaker 4: devolved into chaos. Initial compromises lead to deceit, manipulation, and 482 00:34:50,489 --> 00:34:56,890 Speaker 4: ultimately for David, murder. Listen, friends, and listen closely. The 483 00:34:56,930 --> 00:34:59,630 Speaker 4: moment you let your guard down to a specific sin, 484 00:35:00,510 --> 00:35:05,040 Speaker 4: you've become more vulnerable than ever. There's a progression to 485 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:09,239 Speaker 4: these sins, and we rarely see them coming. There's a 486 00:35:09,260 --> 00:35:13,860 Speaker 4: progression of adultery we must be aware of. Adultery begins 487 00:35:13,900 --> 00:35:17,989 Speaker 4: with small compromises in the heart. For David, it started 488 00:35:18,040 --> 00:35:21,140 Speaker 4: with a lingering gaze and a failure to turn away 489 00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:25,140 Speaker 4: from temptation. We must be vigilant about the thoughts and 490 00:35:25,180 --> 00:35:31,339 Speaker 4: desires we entertain. When given fuel, these small compromises grow 491 00:35:31,360 --> 00:35:36,460 Speaker 4: into something uncontrollable. David's lust led to an adulterous act, 492 00:35:37,160 --> 00:35:41,860 Speaker 4: which spiraled into deceit and murder. Unchecked sin in our 493 00:35:41,910 --> 00:35:46,900 Speaker 4: hearts can lead to actions that have devastating consequences. The 494 00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:51,660 Speaker 4: consequences of David's sin were severe. It led to personal guilt, 495 00:35:52,060 --> 00:35:55,980 Speaker 4: the death of an innocent man, and turmoil in his household. 496 00:35:57,360 --> 00:36:01,660 Speaker 4: Adultery and lust have far-reaching impacts on our lives and 497 00:36:01,680 --> 00:36:05,279 Speaker 4: the lives of others. That is why we must be 498 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:11,240 Speaker 4: diligent in guarding our hearts. We begin with vigilance. Jesus' 499 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:14,510 Speaker 4: teaching emphasizes the need for vigilance in guarding our hearts. 500 00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:19,319 Speaker 4: We must be proactive in avoiding situations and thoughts that 501 00:36:19,360 --> 00:36:23,900 Speaker 4: lead us into temptation. Then, we must seek out accountability. 502 00:36:25,010 --> 00:36:29,969 Speaker 4: Having accountability partners can help us stay on track. Confiding 503 00:36:30,010 --> 00:36:33,930 Speaker 4: with trusted friends or mentors about our struggles and seeking 504 00:36:33,969 --> 00:36:38,830 Speaker 4: their support can provide strength and encouragement. Third, we must 505 00:36:38,950 --> 00:36:44,259 Speaker 4: renew our minds. Regularly immersing ourselves in God's Word and 506 00:36:44,380 --> 00:36:47,720 Speaker 4: prayer helps to renew our mind and align our thoughts 507 00:36:47,800 --> 00:36:53,830 Speaker 4: with God's will. This spiritual discipline strengthens us against temptation. 508 00:36:54,570 --> 00:37:00,590 Speaker 4: Then we take drastic measures. Jesus' hyperbolic language about gouging 509 00:37:00,670 --> 00:37:03,430 Speaker 4: out an eye or cutting off a hand highlights the 510 00:37:03,489 --> 00:37:08,200 Speaker 4: importance of taking drastic measures to avoid sin. This might 511 00:37:08,239 --> 00:37:12,200 Speaker 4: mean setting boundaries on what we watch, read, or engage 512 00:37:12,239 --> 00:37:16,550 Speaker 4: with to protect our hearts. As we reflect on Jesus' 513 00:37:16,610 --> 00:37:21,450 Speaker 4: words in Matthew 5, verses 27-30 and the story of 514 00:37:21,590 --> 00:37:25,830 Speaker 4: David and Bathsheba, let us be reminded of the importance 515 00:37:25,890 --> 00:37:30,290 Speaker 4: of guarding our hearts against lust and adultery. May we 516 00:37:30,370 --> 00:37:34,290 Speaker 4: recognize that sin begins in the heart and take proactive 517 00:37:34,350 --> 00:37:38,259 Speaker 4: steps to maintain inner purity. Let us pray for the 518 00:37:38,320 --> 00:37:42,739 Speaker 4: strength to resist temptation, to seek accountability, to renew our 519 00:37:42,820 --> 00:37:47,500 Speaker 4: minds and and take the necessary measures to live in righteousness. 520 00:37:48,739 --> 00:37:52,690 Speaker 4: May we be true citizens of heaven, reflecting the purity 521 00:37:52,770 --> 00:37:57,490 Speaker 4: and holiness that Jesus calls us to. In our next episode, 522 00:37:57,950 --> 00:38:00,629 Speaker 4: we'll talk about the importance of marriage by going back 523 00:38:00,670 --> 00:38:03,850 Speaker 4: to the first marriage. We'll be swept away in the 524 00:38:03,910 --> 00:38:08,020 Speaker 4: Garden of Eden to talk about divorce, intimacy, and how 525 00:38:08,060 --> 00:38:11,520 Speaker 4: to cultivate love like a, well, like a garden.