Day 7.
Written by Jennschem
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 01:55 PM.
(overcoming.)
Today this chapter is about lust. The word or even conversations about lust are avoided radically by society- church and the non-church crowd as well.
Lust... an addiction. A damaging, destroying, hurtful addiction. People who fall into lust often don't realize where they are headed until it is "too late." Often times, it really does become a habit, like many sins do. First time, the person feels awful, like dirt, perhaps that continues, yet they don't stop, and eventually it becomes a ritualistic "who cares" sort of thing. They know they should, yet they don't, and don't know what to do about it.
First things first though, let's use the Bible to explain what lust is.
"You have heard is said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt. 5:27-28)
Lust is not the temptation to look, and stare, lust is giving into that temptation. Lust isn't seeing someone and noticing their beauty. Lust is seeing them not as a person, but as an object to use in your mind. As something instead of someone to heighten your own senses. Lust is deliberate use of someone else's body, against their will or knowledge even, and using it in your mind.
Men, you aren't alone in this. Women reading this, please wake up! Please don't make it harder for men to be pure in thought by wearing low-shirts or short-shorts. Maybe you enjoy attention, okay, I read you. But, Oh please, "make up your minds not to put a stumbling block in your brothers' way." In this pornography-filled world where %#@% is god to society, the last thing women need to be doing is tempting or torturing men's minds. Don't talk, walk, or act certain ways cause you want to impress or get attention. 1. The attention is !#!, not you. It's hurting both of you, not just the guy. It's perverting and poisoning his mind, not only towards you, but towards other women as well. It's unlikely that he's only going to lust after you, since al that is is using your body within his mind. It's your body, it's not even you.
For you guys, I'm not saying here, "It's all guys fault. Guys are pigs." I'm so so so so so so so sick of that. I'm sick of females hating men, and thinking that it's all your fault. Well for all you gals who think that, it takes two to tango. We all have problems but I'm sick of men's specific problem of lust being exploited as an industry. I'm so very sorry that this is even a battle you have to fight. Its a sick world out there; but I ultimately want to give you hope. Jesus Christ gave you this beautiful hope! Trust Him, He has not and will never turn His back on you. He hasn't forgotten you or let go. He's not standing by, watching you fall and fail time and time again. He will never forget you, and there is no condemnation in Christ, not for any failing. NO condemnation.
You, His dear, dear beloved child, may have a lust problem. You might feel disgusting, like hopeless s#@!@. But okay, you may have a problem and it may feel like there is no escape for you, but I promise you there is. I can promise you because Jesus promises you there will be no temptation that is too great to withstand. I know that definitely doesn't feel true, but it is. Only with Jesus, and pain, and work.
It's a @@!%ed lie, satan telling you your hopeless. And that wasn't a swear, that lie is from hell, and I mean it. There is always hope, and thats the opposite of what your eyes tell you, and definitely opposite of what satan whispers in your ear. Don't doom yourself! Believe!
"For I know the plans I have for you,' Declares the Lord, 'Plans not to harm you, but to prosper you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11.
Dearly Beloved, Your sins- including lust- are washed away by the blood of the lamb. Since when has the Savior's blood been too weak for a specific sin? It's only because of our humanity that we classify sins into categories of "forgivable" and "unforgivable."
Believe in Jesus. Pray, and I'm not saying lust or any sinful addiction is easy to overcome. But "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Right now you may feel like- Well I can't do it. I just wish God would do it all for me, cause I believe in Him, just not me.
Jesus Christ believes in YOU! Who are we to doubt those whom He believes in?
You can. No matter how many times you fail per week or day, I want you - and this goes for any addictive sin - to say into the mirror:
"I believe in You, because Jesus does."
I know it sounds silly, but I firmly believe it will help. You need to approve of you. You need to believe in you.
Again, be reminded of how vast God's love is for you.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
