“David defeated Goliath, but lost to Bathsheba. Our real giants are the sinful desires that we have yet to kill.” – Anonymous
The life of David stands as a sobering testament to the dual realities of divine enablement and human frailty. By God’s power, David struck down Goliath, a nine-foot Philistine, with nothing more than a stone and unshakable faith in the Lord’s deliverance. Yet this same man, anointed by God, succumbed to the seductive lure of Bathsheba, plunging him into adultery, deceit, and murder (2 Samuel 11). The giant he could not conquer wasn’t a towering warrior but the unchecked lust within his own heart. The sword of this truth pierces us as well: our greatest enemies are not external threats, but rather the sinful desires we fail to put to death.
Scripture unapologetically exposes the human condition. In Romans 7:24, the apostle Paul lays bare the believer’s struggle, crying, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” This is no mere emotional outburst, but a profound acknowledgment of our inability to conquer sin’s dominion in our own strength. The “life dominated by sin and death” represents the lingering corruption of our fallen nature, a relentless enemy that clings to us, tempting us to yield to pride, greed, lust, or any passion that defies God’s holy standard. Like David, we may slay external giants while harboring internal ones that threaten our souls.
Yet Paul’s cry is not the end of the story. Immediately following his lament, he declares, “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25). The cross of Christ is our only hope, the divine provision for both our justification and sanctification. Through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, we are not only pardoned but equipped by the indwelling Holy Spirit to wage war against our sinful inclinations. Colossians 3:5 commands us to “put to death” whatever belongs to our earthly nature. This is not a passive suggestion; it is a divine imperative to actively and relentlessly put sin to death by the power of God.
Believer, you must examine your heart with sober vigilance. What giants of sin are you tolerating? Unrestrained anger? Covetousness? Secret Lust? These are not trifles – they’re deadly foes that must be slain through repentance, prayer, and the disciplined application of God’s Word. We do not fight in our own strength… Christ has already triumphed over sin and death (Colossians 2:16). Our battle cry is the cross, where the victory was secured! Cling to it, and by God’s grace, put your sin to death daily.
Action Step: With rigorous honesty, search your heart in light of God’s Word. Identify one specific sin you have failed to confront. Write it down, confess it through prayer, meditate on Scripture (see Psalm 119:11), and, if necessary, share it with a fellow brother or sister in Christ to remain accountable and receive encouragement.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord, I am a wretched sinner, incapable of defeating the giants of sin in my own strength. I thank You for the cross of Jesus Christ, where my redemption was purchased and my victory assured. By Your Spirit, expose the sinful desires I have spared, and grant me the resolve to put them to death. May I live not for myself but for the glory of Your holy name. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 