The children of Israel passed through a place called Kibroth-hattaavah on their journey to the promised land. Some among them fell to lusting, which kindled the wrath of God against them. This spirit of lust causes great havoc and hinders their progress into the promised land.
In our Christian journey, we can’t help but pass through some stages before reaching our promised land.
Are you in the stage of sexual desire? Here’s the good news: we don’t have to be slaves to it. Instead, we can choose love over it and embrace the abundant life God has promised us.
Let’s dive into how we can deal with lust in our lives and embrace love. First things first, let’s talk about lust.
According to the dictionary, craving is a feeling of high desire, especially of a sexual nature.
What does the Bible Say About Evil Desire?
Lust is the hunger and thirst for worldly things. Lust means satisfying your selfish desires. Exodus 15:9. This is the tool the devil used to captivate people’s hearts.
Lust is a mind polluter. It is the food that chokes, the mother of all sin. It is the demonic pregnancy Christians must not conceive, for when developed, it gives birth to sin, and sin gives birth to death.
“Then the desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death”. James 1:15KJV
Lust is the chain that locks people’s hearts against God. It has no place in heaven. It passed away immediately, as the world passed away.
‘And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.’ 1 John 2:17KJV
One of the characteristics of the devil is lusting. ‘Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.’ John 8:44
Lust is a demonic dog that we must not feed.
‘And tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.’ Psalms 78:18
Lust makes you an enemy of God. It gives you the energy to pursue what you ought not to pursue. It gingers you to overtake what you shouldn’t overtake.
In the journey of life, it will make you divide the spoil you should not divide.
Lust will make you satisfy your selfish desires to the detriment of the Lord’s will.
Examples of Lust in the Bible:
To understand the consequences of desire, let’s look at a few biblical examples:
King Pharaoh, Gehazi and Amnon:
King Pharaoh of Egypt was a classic example of want leading to downfall. In Exodus 15:9, we read how King Pharaoh boasted of fulfilling his selfish desire for the children of Israel.
‘The enemy said, I will pursue, overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’
God’s response was swift and severe. King Pharaoh lost his life in that process. His story is a powerful reminder that craving can lead to death.
Both Gehazi and Amnon are also examples of desire in the Old Testament. Gehazi, the son of a prophet, lusted after material things and became a leper. Amnon, King David’s son, lusted after his sister and ended up dying untimely.
Judas Iscariot and Demas:
In the New Testament, we can see how Judas Iscariot, a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, sold his master for 30 pieces of silver. Matthew 26:15 and Demas forsake apostle Paul, having loved this present world.
How Sexual Craving creeps into our lives
So, how can we identify sexual desire in our lives as Christians?
Here are a few signs to note :
Sexual fantasy
Inward desire for the opposite sex
Immoral thoughts
Masturbation
Watching Pornography
Lustful eye signals
Love of nude pictures
Love of sexual books or magazines
Exposed dressing
Covetousness
Adultery
Sexual perversions leading to homosexuality, lesbianism, and bestiality
Lusting after both animate and inanimate objects.
How to Practically Deal with Lust
So, how do you practically begin to deal with sexual desire? Here are a few simple steps to get started:
- Surrender your life to Jesus. No one else can save you except Jesus Christ. Accept him into your life today. Romans 10:13
- Love God above all things. Let the love of God fill your heart by yielding to His commandment and make Him first in all you do
- Destroy all sources of it in your life. Do away with anything that will take you back to your lustful stage. Delete some contacts that will keep reminding you of your past, unsubscribe from your porn website. Spend less time in the presence of anyone that may lead you to fall.
- Regularly remind yourself that it is a sin. Remember that it is not of our Father, Jesus Christ, but of the world. So don’t do what will make the Lord forsake you. Eliminate all improper thoughts and fill your mind with thoughts of God. Romans 12:2.
- Stay busy and cautious to avoid falling. As it is said, an idle hand is a devil’s workshop. So don’t give room to the devil. Stay busy, read and meditate on the scripture, and always pray and have fellowship with brethren.
- Walk in the spirit. Pray more for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to mortify the work of the flesh in you.
- Flee. You are not to stay and watch sin demonstrating itself before you. Flee from all appearance of evil 1 Corinthians 6:18
Reflection
- What kind of lust do you find hard to get rid of in your life?
- How can you prioritise God’s standard of holiness in your daily life?
- What steps will you take this week to fight it?
Dealing with lust is a daily practice, but it brings incredible peace and joy. 1 John 2:17 follow with eternal promise.
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abideth forever”.
When we intentionally focus on God’s will, we not only eliminate sexual longing but abide forever.
Is that not wonderful
So, the next time you are tempted with lust, pause and run through the scripture. 1 John 2:17. Let God’s word guide and transform you.
Prayer:
Arrow of lust shot into my body get out by fire in the name of Jesus.
Be sure also to read:
Seduction: Uncovering the Enemy’s Hidden Trick in our Daily Lives
This is very inspiring, insightful and impactful teaching
Thanks sir, God bless