DAILY TEXT, today Monday, December 11, 2023, Why did you despise the words of Jehovah by doing what is wrong in his eyes? (2 Sam. 12:9).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2023

Monday December 11

Why did you despise the words of Jehovah by doing what is evil in his sight? (2 Sam. 12:9).

Jehovah had given King David many things, such as riches, prestige, and victory over many of his enemies. David was very grateful for this and said that everything God had given him was more than he could count (Ps. 40:5). But at a certain point, he became greedy and forgot what Jehovah had given him. Although he had several wives, he began to desire another man's wife, something that Jehovah condemned. The woman's name was Bath-Sheba, and her husband was a Hittite named Uriah. David was selfish, committed adultery with Bath-Sheba and got her pregnant. As if all that were not enough, he arranged to have Uriah killed (2 Sam. 11:2-15). What was he thinking? Did he believe that Jehovah was not watching him? After being faithful to Jehovah for so long, he eventually gave in to selfishness and greed, and paid dearly for it. Fortunately, in time David confessed his sin and repented. And how grateful he was that Jehovah had forgiven him! (2 Sam. 12:7-13). w21.06 17 para. 10.

Why are we sure that it is possible to escape Satan's traps?

What if we discover that we have fallen into the traps of pride or greed? Is there a way to escape? Of course it is, for Paul said that those who have been caught alive can escape the Devil's trap (2 Tim. 2:26). That's what David did: he listened when Nathan corrected him, repented of his greed, and restored his friendship with Jehovah. Let us never forget that Jehovah is more powerful than Satan. If we accept his help, we can escape any trap the Devil sets for us.

What will help us avoid Satan's traps?

Of course, rather than having to escape Satan's traps, it is better to avoid them in the first place. This is only possible with the help of God. Now, let's not trust ourselves. Even long-time servants of Jehovah have become proud or greedy. So let us pray to Jehovah every day to help us see if such unpleasant attitudes have begun to influence the way we think and act. (Ps. 139:23, 24) May we never fall into their networks.

What will soon happen to our enemy, the Devil?

Satan has been the hunter for thousands of years. But he will soon be bound and, eventually, destroyed (Rev. 20:1-3, 10). How we long for that day to come! In the meantime, let's remain vigilant so as not to fall into his traps. Let us do everything possible to prevent pride or greed from dominating us. Let us be determined to follow this advice: “Oppose the Devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

According to Ephesians 5:3, 4, what is the antidote to covetousness?

What do we learn from what happened to David? That the antidote to greed is to always be grateful for all that Jehovah has given us (read Ephesians 5:3, 4). We should be happy with what we have. We teach our Bible students to think of something nice in his life and then thank Jehovah for it. If you do this for a week, by the end you will have talked about seven different things in your prayers (1 Thes. 5:18). Do we do something similar? If we meditate on all that Jehovah has done for us, we will be more grateful and content with what we have. Then we will not fall into the trap of greed.

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