April 10 | Lust
Proverbs 6:25, “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.”
In the first nine chapters of Proverbs, King Solomon contrasts the call of wisdom to the temptation of the adulteress woman (Proverbs 2:16-22, 5:1-23, 6:23-35 & 7:1-27). Solomon mentions many of the devastating consequences of adultery. Here are just a few; (1) Adultery will cost a person much of their wealth (Proverbs 5:8-10), (2) The one who commits adultery will never have their shame forgotten in this life (Proverbs 6:33) and (3) Adultery arouses the angry and fury of the woman’s husband (Proverbs 6:34).
The primary way Solomon described adultery is that of a married man cheating on his wife with a married women acting as a prostitute. However, Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28, “27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Lust means, “to desire someone sexually that you are not married to.”
According to Jesus, all lust is equal to the sin of adultery.
Paul also wrote in Ephesians 5:3, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” As a result, the above proverb can be understood for us in the New Covenant as a warning against all lust. God only ordained sex to be between a married man and woman (like Adam and Eve). Jesus also reinforced this concept of monogamous heterosexual marriage in Matthew 19:5.
Anything sexual outside of one man and one woman in marriage is considered sin (Galatians 5:19). Sex outside of marriage is literally a “perversion” of God’s original “version.” Lust is dangerous because it is addictive. Most people are not satisfied with doing it only once. They desire it more and more and yet they are never satisfied. For example, pornography can lead to masturbation, then to inappropriate touching in a dating relationship, then to oral sex and then to pre-martial sex. Those who are comfortable with premarital sex are only a short step away from cheating on their spouse once they’re married because they let lust control their sexuality.
Sexual perversion can also manifest in bi-sexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, polygamy, polyandry and polyamory; which the Bible calls sin (1 Corinthians 6:9). Sadly, innocent people can be hurt by the sexual sins of molestation, rape and incest. (Special Note: If you are currently or have ever experienced any of these sins against you, please talk to a trusted leader in the church for healing and safety if it’s still happening).
D.A. Carson wrote, “Imagination is a God-given gift; but if it is fed dirt by the eye, it will be dirty. All sin, [especially] sexual sin, begins with the imagination. Therefore what feeds the imagination is of maximum importance in the pursuit of kingdom righteousness.” Give your sexual desires to God and be the person Jesus made you to be. Don’t let this culture or your sinful lusts control your life. Be led by the Holy Spirit in all you do, especially in your sexuality.
Reflection
When was the last time you lusted?
Action
- Ask Jesus to purify your heart from all lust and perversion.
- Be wise in your sexuality to guard yourself against temptation. For example, download accountability internet software, don’t watch unclean TV shows or movies and guard what magazines, books and music you feed your soul.
- Ask God to give you a spouse to fall in love with! If you’re already married, ask God to give you eyes only for your spouse.