The desire to have what is not ours comes in an almost infinite variety of ways in our lives. We look at others and want they have and we (think we) do not: their computers, cars, iPods, looks, talent, intelligence, house, job, 401K, discipline, spiritual power, Bible knowledge, shoes, books, happiness, marriage, kids, grandchildren…every heart in every culture has its own endless list of cravings.
Yet, lust, which Josh Harris calls “craving sexually what God has forbidden,” is one of the most powerful, universal, and destructive of these cravings. It can take a peaceful home and turn it into a nightmare, a fruitful and growing ministry and turn it into a shadow of itself, and it can take a person’s joy and confidence and turn these into shame, guilt, anger, despair, and depression. Solomon spoke of it as “fire next to his chest” (Prov 6:27) and “walking on hot coals” (6:28), implying that lusts consumes and destroys unavoidably.
Lust is deadly, and lust is common to all. That’s why we’ll be taking some time to look at it.
Daniel Baker
2 responses so far ↓
Trent Sullivan // September 14, 2007 at 4:49 pm |
With imagination and ingenuity one can overcome any forbidden lusts. When I struggle with my forbidden lusts I write it down and put them in a “Forbidden Lust Bag”. Then I set the bag a flame to symbolize that the sin would have taken me to hell.
One should definately find a way to avoid their forbidden lusts.
djbaker // September 22, 2007 at 2:54 pm |
Trent, I’m not sure what you mean by “forbidden lusts,” as all lusts (not all desires!)are forbidden. In the end, however, “imagination and ingenuity” will not bring us deliverance, even if temporarily we avoid temptation. Deliverance and forgiveness and obedience are found only in the cross of Christ: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet 2:24).