WINNING THE BATTLE OVER TRIGGERS
PRIME VERSE: 2 Samuel 11: 1-5. 2 Samuel 19: 1-9. 2 Samuel 13: 36-37. Ecclesiastes 3:1-6
PASTOR’S NOTE
In our last message we explored the Trap of Sin, as revealed through David’s vulnerability, his abdication of responsibility, and his step outside of and away from the will God and into the wasteland of self will and consequence.
But Trap isn’t the start of Sin’s construction. Sin’s foundation is inextricably entwined with its’ twin, Trigger. Trigger is all the more powerful, as Trigger can rest within us, far beyond decision and action, nested into the emotional territory of reaction and reflex. Trigger can be inherited sin, patterns of response learned and imbedded into our families, as well as
emotional and environmental, feeding on our weakness when hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Trigger knows with intimacy our fears.
Trigger is never neutral absent. Even in our most GOD centred moments, Trigger battles with the Spirit for active control, Diverting thoughts, reclaiming fears and failings long since forgiven and healed in the power of redemption in Christ Jesus. Trigger is continually making our safe spaces and known behaviours accessible to Sin. Trigger is the whispered voice in our head that confuses the straight path journey of faith.
So as the lid of the trap of sin closes to ensnare us in a place and position outside of the will of GOD, the embrace of Trigger’s long arm and strength of hand firmly snaps the trap lid, and we are in sin.
How blessed we are to have the promises of God the creator in which to find our strength and salvation.
When environmental Triggers tempt us, and we step towards damaging, sinful & consequential decisions, remember the stored word of God will be at hand, ready to strengthen, direct, and motivate faithful behaviour. To remain in the word, is to remain in the stronghold of GOD. David the psalmist remembered that GOD’s truth in the scriptures was as effective a weapon against the enemies of the chosen as was a flint and a Sling shot.
Ps 119:11 “ Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you”.
David the king, like us so very human and fragile, neglected the word in his heart to his unimagined consequence. Trigger in its temptation, moved David from the claim of strength in the word of GOD, and positioned David into the weakness of “ might”, a position of choice to be lead one direction or another. David understood the failure of will. The psalm says “ I might not sin against you”, not “ will not sin against you”. We are free to choose obedience, yet in our divergence from Gods will, Trigger & Trap find a foothold, as David found out .
By embracing the claims of God and the power within the word, either spoken or stored in our hearts, we have the power and the promise of success over sin.
In 2 Samuel 11:1-5 we see that when David was not in his place of office, not in his position as the faithful, and about to stray from the straight and narrow anointed path of “ GOD directed”, a trap was being set. To David, the full allure of Trigger ( lonely, tired, restless, ) presented itself and “ might” became “ willfully did not”. David the anointed, David the chosen, became David who chose and chose badly. Self will never win.
Our journey with David continues as he navigates the consequence of Sin’s Trigger & Trap first spoken of in 2 Samuel 11:1-5. The sword has never departed from the house of David. In 2 Samuel 13: 36-37, As predicted and promised, David in consequence has seen the defilement of his children, the loss of a son and now mourns in his ruination. Again David neglects his anointed duty, and in brokenness remains “In place” instead of in duty. Israel is essentially leaderless as David is consumed by emotion, this is where David ceases being David and becomes the sin of emotional despair; he is David of the lost years.
We too are David’s, neglecting our duties and obligations because of the overtaking of our emotions. We find other pathways through despair, loss, disappointment and fear, pathways not GOD centred but sin centred. So easily It can seem the safest, best, most tempting way through the pain is through shutdown. In emotional upheaval we cloak our personhood as children of the Living God, and seek rest in the shadows, the “Neutral”, a non choice position where no decision can, in our confusion, be falsely believed to be not in sin. The engulfing by emotion is the trigger to sins entrapment.
In community, we have accountability. The opportunity for transparency of motivation and behaviour within a safety net of fellowship directed by GOD centred biblical teachings. We have the full word of GOD to study, and the redemptive collective to maintain our balance. We are blessed with the tools and templates to vanquish Triggers.
David was also blessed, as GOD’s anointed he had communion with GOD, the assurance of purpose and pathway, and an accountability to his people. In 2 Samuel 19:5-9, David was shamed by his commander and shaken from out of his Lost years of mourning, to step again into his duties, his life of service and sanctity, and be king. David’s season of emotional mourning had ended.
Through David’s sin we learn the value of constancy. To withstand the judgement and expectations of others, our social circle, our communities, & the world at large, is a challenge to regularly fall on. David did this in 1 Samuel 21:10-15 when he took another’s word to heart and rejected his anointed kingship for the mask of insanity. David pretended to be something he was not because of his fear; he was responding to the Trigger of sin. David cloaked his convictions and his duty to “ acclimate “ or fit in.
Constancy in our relationship with GOD also unravels when we are tempted by the sin Trigger of pride. The trigger to sin is ignited when we believe success is of our making, that our talents are formed by ambition or self will rather than a reflection of the glory of GOD. Oh beware the worldly way, destruction awaits the foolish. David again leads by example at the folly of self praise and achievement. In 1 Chronicles 20:8-21, David receives the records of battle and claims the battle victories as his, as king. Regardless that the successes occurred whilst he was “ in place” with Bathsheba and out of place with GOD, David assumes GODS victories as his own and suffers consequence for this sin; 70,000 died in atonement for David’s sin.
God humbled David because David did not recognize, thank & praise GOD for his success. Their relationship was out of sync. As children of GOD we are called to humble ourselves and to allow GOD to bless and glorify us. When we seek dominion over success the order of our relationship with GOD becomes unbalanced and consequence of this sin follows. We become Davids when we forget that GOD has purchased us & we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit who strengthens, guides, directs our defences against Sin.
Indwelled by the Spirit, we can “ walk it off”, talk it out, pray it gone when emotions of anger, pride, grief, fear, disappointment or despair threaten to overwhelm us and push us into a consuming place of Trigger & Trap far outside of the centre of GODS will. We can find peace and rest knowing we have the blessing of our salvation.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Triggers to Sin
1) The Environmental Trap 2 Samuel 11:1-5. Ps 119:11
2) The Emotional Trap 2 Samuel 19:1-2. 5-9. 2 Samuel 13: 36-37
3) The Social Trap 1 Samuel 21:10-15. Ps 56:3-5.
4) The Success Trap 1 Chronicles 20:8-21. James 4:6
Explore more from the series "Traps, Triggers, Trauma, and Triumph"
Title 1
Title 2
Title 3
" Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. " Joshua 1:9
SUPPORT
We are a listening church, if you have questions concerns or need prayer we are one call away at 902-955-8579.
Click here to watch the message.
Comentários