There is a pattern of tragedy in the Bible that always begins with the eyes. Genesis 3:6 lays out the events that led to the fall of man: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.” We see the same pattern in the verses above, which lay out the events leading to the adultery of David with Bathsheba. But we know the tragedy didn’t end there. As mentioned yesterday, David had Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, murdered to cover up his sin. In addition, the consequences to David’s family were great, as the “sword” never departed from David’s house. (2 Samuel 12:10)

In both cases (Eve and David), the eyes of these people were not the problem. The problem is what their hearts did with what their eyes saw. In both instances (and in others in the Bible), it was the sinful desire (the wanting of something that God had forbidden) born out of that seeing (acted upon and not quenched), that ended in tragedy. 

An unprepared heart is vulnerable to the schemes of the enemy and to the pull of our own flesh. With the whole world available to us at a moment’s notice through our technology, we are at great risk and must actively guard our eyes and hearts to ensure that we’re not led down the same path of tragedy. And, if this is such a temptation to us, then how can we expect our children to deal with this danger?

But maybe you have already gotten caught in an addiction of some sort and feel helpless to free yourself. Praise be to the Lord, the power of sin was defeated through Jesus’ death and resurrection! His power is available to you and he is faithful to forgive, redeem and restore! If this is you, please reach out to a pastor for help. You are not alone.