“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful." 2 Samuel 11:1-3

What is a man to do when he can conquer nations, peoples, and giants but he cannot conquer himself? David among the great conquerors in all of human history was tactical, charismatic, and blessed by God, but in this battle with himself he lets down his guard. Swayed by a pornographic moment, he saw from his "rooftop a woman bathing." And this was no one-glance moment. This woman was one who "was very beautiful" from his point of view. And so the bait is set for all men. The desires of your flesh lead you into one of the great battles that all men face - the progression of sexual sin that works from the lust of the eyes, to the lust of the flesh, to the pride of life. And here you battle and fall every time. Note this battle is not the fault of beauty. It's the fault of your lustful desires that long for satisfaction outside of the boundaries of God's will. Desires that arise from your lazy attention to the battle as you sit on the "couch" in the boredom of the "late afternoon" aimlessly "walking on the roof." In the absence of activity, you will find a musing that is not in line with God's moral will. This is where you are weakest. This is the giant you must slay - the battle with your desires.

DO THIS: Battle your sinful desires.

PRAYER: God, I lose this one all the time. Help me to battle well today. Keep me attentive to war within myself.