Satan's Incitings

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 21

We are not told exactly why David’s census was sinful. Moses had conducted an earlier census and it was approved of and blessed by God. David’s census was a different story. Commentators have speculated that the issue was either David’s pride or unbelief. The Kingdom had grown and prospered under David’s rule and possibly he was becoming arrogant. It may also be that he was doubtful. God had promised that Abraham’s descendants would be as the sand of the sea and the stars of the heavens. Was David distrusting of God’s promise? Whatever the root cause, this was a sinful act on David’s part.

What we are told is that David was incited or provoked by Satan to carry out this act of rebellion. Satan work against us, not only through externalities but also through exploiting our weakness in our attitudes by planting ideas and thoughts that can lead to sinful actions. David wasn’t possessed by the devil, but the devil was able to somehow suggest the idea of the census to David’s mind.

This Satanic incitement was successful because it found a willing partner in David. Whether it was pride or unbelief or some other spiritual vulnerability, the devil was able to get David to listen to his whispers because David was already leaning toward sin. He just needed the right nudge and a specific action plan.

This explains why God’s punishment came on David. He was not guiltless. He couldn’t point the finger and Satan and cast all the blame on him. The devil did his part and he is and will be held eternally accountable for his wickedness. Hell awaits Satan. It will be his eternal prison house. For his part, David was held accountable.

Satan indeed tempts us with evil. It is also true that we are responsible for our actions. When we walk through the door of the devil's den, we are not excused because Satan opened that door and invited us in.