The Devil's Jackals!
David's sin serves as a warning to beware of evening temptations and the dangers of idleness and luxury.
C.H. Spurgeon warns that temptation is ever-present, as illustrated by King David's encounter with Bathsheba while he was idle at home instead of engaging in battle. He emphasizes that both idleness and luxury serve as gateways for sin, and that self-confidence can lead to greater exposure to danger. Spurgeon urges vigilance, reminding us that no place is immune to temptation, and that we must remain active and watchful against the allurements of evil. He calls for reliance on God's grace to guard against our own corruptions and the devil's schemes, especially during vulnerable times like the evening.
Text
"One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing--a very beautiful woman." 2 Samuel 11:2
At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation! Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil. The morning opens with peril--and the shadows of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept--whom God keeps! But woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house, unarmed. Those who think themselves secure, are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of sin--is self-confidence.
David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord's battles, instead of which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed in the evening. Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals--and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters--noxious creatures swarm. Neglected soil--soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briers. Oh for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful!
When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day, and falling at once into temptation--let me take warning, and set holy watchfulness to guard the door! Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for prayer and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret--a sanctuary from sin!
While our hearts are so like a tinder-box, and sparks so plentiful--we had need use all diligence in all places--to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops, and enter closets! And even if we could shut out that foul fiend--our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin--unless God's grace prevents it.
Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down--but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night--as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Devil's Jackals: Idleness and Luxury
- A. David's example: idleness and luxury led to sin
- B. The dangers of self-confidence
- C. The importance of holy watchfulness
- II. The Reach of Temptation
- A. We are never out of the reach of temptation
- B. Temptations can come from within and without
- III. The Armor-Bearer of Sin
- A. Self-confidence is the armor-bearer of sin
- B. We must be aware of our own corruptions
- IV. The Need for Vigilance
- A. We must use diligence to prevent sin
- B. Satan can climb housetops and enter closets
Key Quotes
“We are never out of the reach of temptation!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals--and find him abundant prey.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Satan can climb housetops, and enter closets!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must be aware of our own corruptions and use diligence to prevent sin.
- Holy watchfulness is essential to guard against temptation.
- We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the day.