Is sexual lust REALLY a problem?
It doesn’t take a high level of intelligence to understand why and how the enemy enjoys using this weapon. He’s taken out a good many men and women with it, and in spite of the fact his tactics rarely change with this weapon, it’s still just as highly effective in our day as it was 6000 years ago.
People who are seduced and controlled by sexual lust have bought a lie; actually, several lies…
Lie #1 – “It’s just how I’m wired”. The truth is, any kind of appetite can and must be controlled. Of course, some appetites are stronger than others; and some temptations are stronger and can really get under a person’s skin. But there is NO temptation that may come our way which doesn’t include a way of escape; a way to resist.
Joseph and Samson were both in their prime when they walked through their season of temptation. Potipher’s wife had eyes for Joseph, and Delilah was using her “charms” to seduce information from Samson. Both of “the boys” were “wired” like any other man; they just handled their situations differently. One had victory, the other got picked off.
Lie #2 – “It’s okay to look but not touch”. Sorry, not true. You see, it’s one thing to look at a beautiful woman or handsome man and admire their looks. It’s another thing to look and dream of “touching” them in order to feed the hunger in our soul. Ever heard of the phrase, “Eye Candy”? Well, Eye Candy is not “health food”. It only creates cavities in our soul, and weakens our resolve to please the Lord and be faithful to our spouse.
Lie #3 – “It’s the way society is”. Sodom and Gomorrah’s society was a certain “way”, and was condemned by God. Society’s vote doesn’t make anything good or bad. In fact, society only mirrors the heart and mindset of the masses.
Lie #4 – “My spouse doesn’t understand me like this person does”. Your spouse just might, if you spent time dreaming about them instead of the one you’re so caught up by. We all have an uncanny way of lying to ourselves, AND believing the lies. Scripture reads like this:
”The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
Lie #5 – “My spouse was unfaithful, so…” The old adage, “two wrongs don’t make a right”, comes into view here. Sin never erases sin; righteousness is always sin’s antidote. Whatever you sow, you will reap. Regardless.
Lie #6 – “God made the human body to enjoy”. Yes and no. The human body is, first of all, our servant. It was created as a “house” for our spirit and soul. It was NOT created to be worshiped, by lusting after its beauty or feeding its cravings (not just sexual cravings, but ALL cravings).
Although the body was created with sexual “triggers”, their intended use is within the covenant bonds between a husband and wife. Intimacy is the grounds where true enjoyment takes place. Intimacy – shared moments, transparency in each area of life – spirit, soul, and body. The kind God intended for one man and one woman, husband and wife. Forever.
Lie #7 – “Pornography can help a marriage”. There are some “Christian” counselors who actually ascribe to this lie! But how can pornography really help a marriage? What DOES it do? It strengthens the spirit of lust in an individual, makes comparisons between the husband or wife and the image on the screen or page, and reduces something God created as holy and beautiful to something akin to the natural procreative needs of an animal. Help? No. It does the opposite.
Lie #8 – “The devil made me do it”. Might be true, except for one small point. The Word of God teaches something entirely different.
”No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
The Apostle Paul wrote:
”Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. ” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
So God’s remedy for sexual lust? We are to yield ourselves to God, as servants of righteousness, glorifying God through every part of our life; spirit, soul, and body.
Excerpt from “Picked Off”. New book by J. Grace
Jan Grace 