Help from above
It's Old Testament times: David seemed to be doing a pretty decent job as the king of Israel. However: 'One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her... Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her' (2 Samuel 11:2-4 NIV).
This is a pretty extreme example of a godly person doing something he shouldn't have. It all started with one thought from David, which he didn't have to act on. These temptations happen to us all, even if not this extreme.
It can be so easy to let things slip, even when we feel we're living a good and godly life. Even if we've made the token effort to correct the wrong, we may find ourselves slipping back into bad behaviour if we don't come totally clean. We are called to be set apart. Pure. Different. We have a God who desires to help us in our weak moments: 'When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV).
So what now? Honestly assess how you live. Are there any small, seemingly inconsequential habits (occasional swearing, a bit of gossip) that don't belong in a life consecrated to God? Pray about and start dealing with those habits today. Remember, you have help from above.
— SCRIPTURE —
'God...will also provide a way out.' 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
— SOULFOOD —
1 Sam 1-3, Matt 21:33-46, Ps 8, Pro 16:8-11
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