Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
I really appreciate David’s request for an undivided heart. I can’t help but wonder if he asked for this before his biggest mistakes or after. Either way he reached a point where he realized that spiritual success requires a heart fully devoted to God. David was wise to pray for an undivided heart, as a heart divided is easily led astray.
When Jesus was asked to identify the greatest commandment, his reply stressed the importance of loving God with all our heart and all our mind. His brother, James, put it this way, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”...”purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8 NIV So how can we guard ourselves against a divided heart and a double mind? Let’s pick up our Sword and gain some insight from David’s mistakes.
If you asked a hundred people to tell you about the life of King David, I’ve no doubt the two events you’ll hear about the most will be his defeat of Goliath and his sin with Bathsheba. He started out as a man so passionate about defending the name of God that he welcomed the chance to confront Goliath. He became a man who not only compromised his morals but tried to cover his sin by sending a faithful man to the front lines to die. At some point, David allowed something other than God to capture his heart.
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1 NIV
David was not where he was supposed to be. He should have been off to war, faithfully serving God as he led the troops in battle, but he was content to send the troops without him. Are you where God wants you today? Do you know where you should be, but desire to be somewhere else? No one had to ask David to fight Goliath, his passion for God compelled him to do it. His heart was completely in it. By the time he saw Bathsheba, battling for God’s name was no longer his priority. We need to watch for subtle shifts in our priorities. Is your passion for doing the things God has placed before you as strong today as it was when you first started? A shift in your passion is a sign that your heart is dividing and you are in danger of being led astray.
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. 2 Samuel 11:2 NIV
David’s passion for God had waned, he was not out at war, and he was vulnerable, so Satan seized the moment. He placed before him something he knew would pull his heart away from God, a beautiful woman. Of course she was very beautiful! Satan knows what appeals to you and I and he places those things before us hoping they can steal our hearts away from God.
And David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.2 Samuel 11:3-4 NIV
David faced a moment of decision. She was married. There was no confusion in his mind about what was right and what was wrong. An undivided heart is accompanied by a resolve to do the right thing. A double minded man knows what’s right but struggles to do it. David lost the battle and brought a lot of unnecessary pain upon himself and many other people. So how can we avoid the same mistake?
It’s important to understand the progression leading to this moment developed slowly. That’s how Satan works. The first time you struggle to do the right thing, win that battle. Make sure your resolve to please God does not waver. Once you compromise, it becomes easier and easier to do so again. Do not let your heart be divided in even small ways. Be sure you are where God wants you to be all the time. Be honest with yourself when you feel the tug to step away from the things God wants you to be doing. Don’t think that you can bail even once. Realize that Satan wants you to live with a divided heart and see the “beautiful” things he places before you for what they are, decoys to pull your heart away from God. Don’t let them capture your heart; don’t think about them more than you should. Pray through every decision and make sure you have someone in your life that will hold you accountable. As you keep your heart fully devoted to God, He will keep you fully satisfied!