David said to God: "I have sinned greatly by doing this" (1 Chronicles 21:8).
The Apostle Paul said that we must "purify ourselves from all defilements of body and spirit" (2 Corinthians 7:1). Although according to those around us, we seem to live a clean and moral life, but in spirit, we may still have an attitude that makes God grieve. Since spiritual sin is invisible to the eye, but hidden in the heart, we tend to ignore it until it causes real evil to reveal its existence.
The life of King David illustrates both aspects of this sin. His lust for Bathsheba led him to commit adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11,12; Psalm 32:5), causing great suffering to his own life and reproach to the nation of Israel. Then, in his old age, he succumbed to Satan's temptation to take a census (1 Chronicles 21:1-6). This seemingly sinless act turned out to have saddened God (verses 7,8) because David boasted of his military might. He had clearly strayed from total obedience to God, who had miraculously saved him so many times, to trust in his own power and strength.
From the outside, it may seem to others that we are winning the war against sin. However, we must always be on guard against the sins of the spirit, especially pride. This sin can cause us to stumble and fall, even at the end of life's journey --DJD
PRIDE AND LUST ARE HIDDEN STONES THAT MAKES MANY PEOPLE stumble
* Take from Daily Devotional