Stay Out of the Woods

Have you ever heard the story of King David and his son Absalom? Well, even if you have heard it your about to hear it again. :)

2 Samuel 18:8 - "The woods devoured more people that day than the sword devoured."
Absalom, the son of King David had been raised as a Prince. He grew up in a home of worship. David loved the Lord with all of his heart. The palace was a place of worship.

Absalom's half-bother had fallen in love with Absalom's sister, Tamar. But he knew that he could never have her, so he called one of his to him and asked him what he should do. His friend told him to pretend to be sick when the King came to call on him. Then when the king asked what was wrong he was to say, 'send into me my sister Tamar and have prepare my favorite dish to me and feed it to me.' The king consented and Tamar came. After she had finished preparing the food and was about to feed him, Amnon ordered everyone out of his chambers. He then asked Tamar to come to bed with him, but she refused. He then forced her and raped her.
A couple days later Absalom found out what had happened and hid Tamar in his quarters. For a little while Absalom said to Amnon, but inside he hated him.

For two years Absalom was silent on the outside, plotting his revenge inside against Amnon. Finally, he asked his father if he and all his sons would come to his house and feast. The king said no but gave his consent for Absalom to have the feast. So all of his brothers came, including Amnon.
Before the feast Amsalom told his servants that when Amnon was drunk to kill him. And they did. Right after he was killed all the other kings sons fled.
Amsalom then fled to his grandfather's house and stayed their for three years. Meanwhile David was mourning his sons death and longed to be reunited with Absalom.
Don't mess with the woods!

David reconciles with his son and for three years everything is fine. But then Absalom starts to get jealous of his father and starts to rebel. (don't mess with the woods!) Long story short things went downhill. Absalom openly declared war on his own father, the king! When they went to battle King David understood the importance of honor and hold his men to deal very gently with son. So keep him alive and not to batter him.
2 Samuel 18: 8 says: "The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the woods than were killed by the sword."

When Joab heard that Absalom was stuck in the forest he slaughtered, despite of what King David had said. When the king heard that Absalom was killed he was very sad. He mourned his death for a long time.
Absalom lost both the battle and his life because of being in the location of the woods and not on the field. Half of the men that went into the woods never made it out.

The point of this story is the woods. Stay out of them! The woods represent the world and all that it has to offer. If is very important to stay near the battlefield of life and to stay out of the woods. The woods are always near and knocking on your door. The woods are easier to get into than to get out of. But once you are in, you normally don't get back out.
Some of the things that take a person to the woods are pride, jealously, bitterness, lust, greed, curiosity, and ungodly relationships. We will influence others in the wrong way if we are in the woods.
If the woods has a hold of your head (eyes, ears, mind), then the enemy can pierce your hear.
Your environment, prayer life, and who you are around will keep you out of the woods.

Ephesians 6: 10-18
^"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we^[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^{[b] 16} In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^{[c] 17} Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^"