WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022, LUST

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022, LUST

LUST - Lust is a psychological force producing an intense desire for something, or circumstance while already having a significant amount of the desired object. Lust can take any form such as the lust for sexuality, money, or power.

 

These days, when we talk about lust, we usually are referring to sexual desire.

“Lust is to sex what greed is to money. Sex is not bad, as money is not bad. But great selfishness with either (as with anything) ought to give us pause. Lust says, “More, more, more!” with no regard for anyone beyond our own self. Lust is a sin that feeds itself and grows, disregarding all costs.

And that is a very big problem indeed.

“As is the shape-shifting nature of lust. It can be a second glance at a bodily form you wish to know intimately. It can be lingering in a coworker’s office. It can be mindless moments ogling online. It can be daydreaming, playing out conversations, or interactions. It can be eye contact that holds the extra second.

“Often lust seems like a victimless crime. Because it’s predominantly a sin of the mind and the heart, it’s often easier to hide than gluttony or sloth.

But in lust, we disintegrate.

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Okay - lust is a strong, often overpowering desire.  As the definitions (above) state: More, More, More.  Or, that lust is a sin that feeds itself and grows.  

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Biblically, Matthew 5:27-30 has this:

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery. But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

WOW - so if I look (ogle) at a person with lust in my heart, I should gouge out my eye.  If my hand is involved in lust, cut it off and throw it away.

*****

Okay - time for the truth.  Back in the 1990s, I was teaching HTML web page coding from scratch.  Students had to create good web pages with links, images, feedback pages, and more.  A student (HP) had an assignment with the words “You must be 18 to follow this link”.  

I was close to 50 years old, I could handle this.

But, the link was to a pornographic site.  That started a search for more pornography.  I would say late at my office and search for sex images.  

On Sundays, sitting in church, I prayed “God take this away from me”.  On Monday, when I had the urge to look at some sites, I could resist. But by Tuesday or Wednesday, I was back finding porn websites (never paying, just looking).  

I thought about the line “if your eye causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away”. If I would have followed that I’d be blind!!  Finally, I found a way to be accountable and honest with another person.  That person could ask “have you been browsing porn sites since the last time we were together?”  I didn’t want to say ‘yes’.  I somehow acquired the willpower NOT to look.  

You can lust after more than just sex.  As the definition states, “Lust can take any form such as the lust for sexuality, money, or power.”

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Let’s look a little at sexuality.  There is an old definition of certain men as “God’s gift to women”.  The thought is something like this - “why would that beautiful woman be with that ugly guy.” (Well, maybe the guy is loving, kind, thoughtful, and a great conversationalist.) The man who thinks he is God’s gift to women somehow thinks that as he walks in the door, all the women are looking at him and saying “WOW - what a hunk of a man”.

Some lust after money.  While that might also be ‘greed’, the thought of ‘I want more’ - whether it is more money, more sex, more power - is a driving force, almost an animal force within a person’s head.

Another old adage is “Power corrupts, perfect power corrupts perfectly”.  It seems like some people in power crave (lust) after more power.  Without knowing correctly, maybe Putin in Russia craves power; maybe Trump in the United States craves power as well.  

Maybe there is a slight redeeming grace here if a person can face up to his/her lust - and keep it under control. (There is also the concept that sexual lust can be controlled by taking cold showers - and maybe having self-pleasure).

Years ago, I heard somebody say “that guy thinks with his <male sexual organ>”.  He lusts after every woman that wears a skirt.  Can that be controlled?  

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Biblically, David lusted after Bathsheba - enough that he had her husband killed so he could have her.  

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Okay, I’m 74.  My “lust drive” is pretty much used up!!!  (Maybe I might lust for a peanut butter sandwich!!!)

The listing of the Fruit of the Spirit we have: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control.“ Galatians 5:22-23

If taking a cold shower helps your self-control, then take a cold shower.  Take a long walk - do something to distract your thoughts.  

LOVE WINS - but we might have to suppress some of our desires (aka - some of our lustful thoughts).

Karen

June 8, 2022