Lust: An Everybody's Issue

Have you ever struggled with lust? Honestly? Be honest with yourself. Don't say, "Oh, thats not really lust..." I have. Have you ever brushed it off and acted like it was no big deal and tried to mitigate that sin before God? I have.

In Job 31, Job is trying to prove his innocence to his merciless friends when they are accusing him of sinning. He mentions lust and its shocking what he says: "If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbor's wife, then let my wife belong to another man; let other men sleep with her. For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. It would wipe out everything I own." 

Uhm, the inspired Word of God says this about lust. Lust is a big deal. I think since its something I think and not verbalize or inflict on other people that its a minor sin and nothing to really worry about, but what I have forgotten and what many others have to, is that lust is a heart issue. At the root of it lies discontentment, envy, pride and distrust in God's promises. Whoa. That's a lot and I'm sure there are more.

Next time you are lusting, or tempted to, read this verse. Better yet, memorize it and quote it to yourself in the hour of need.

Why is this universally only identified as a guy problem? I know that guys have a more sex-oriented brain so its more natural for them, but because of this I think girls feel like they are stupid or something is wrong with them if they struggle with it too. I know I did. I felt like there was something wrong with me. (I can't believe I'm blogging about this.) I'm not as ashamed to tell people anymore (even though I've only told two people in the entire world - but, now it's common knowledge. heh.) because I KNOW that I am not alone. I'm not the lone girl in the world that struggles. Dude, women all over the place are struggling. Look at some magazines. Every article is about getting men to "want" you and how to "please them". That isn't lust?!?! Yes, it is. Girls, don't be ashamed. You struggle with it. I struggle with it. Men struggle with it. we struggle in different ways for sure, but the heart of the issue is the same. It could be because of our day and age, but let's not blame it on that. The fact is, we are sinners.

A definition of lust: desiring something that you cannot have (especially sexually).

You know, if you feed lust now it will never be cured? It's like it harbors and grows and grows. And you think if you feed it so it will stop bothering you, it will go away - so you do, but not only does it stay, it grows and so does it's appetite!

In light of this topic, Galatians 6:7-8 scares me. "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to the flesh, will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

That's a promise from God. Do you realize that? I think it has taken that verse a while to set in with me. That's not just an everyday verse, that is a promise! God promises that if we sow to the flesh, we will reap from the flesh. What will we reap from the flesh? Galatians 5:19-21:"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."  

Obviously, I can't provide the answers on how to avoid this, but the Bible can. I still am searching for the answers and am trying to get past this. But I will leave you with one last verse. This, I'm sure can answer our life's problems. Lust and everything else: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratify it's desires." Romans 13:14
 
Forgive my morbid post. It's been on my mind to post about it, so I post.