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Overcoming Lusts: Lesson #7

Embracing God's Love

Discipleship Level 2: Reaching Beyond Mediocrity

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell

Lost in Lust | Secret Look | Word study| Lust vs. Love | Power of Love | Pornography

Weaknesses | Handling temptation | Clean up | Lovely Thoughts | Breaking Free

Exercises#1-4 | D2 Index | RSS

Gaining Direction - Lost in Lust

Lusts have destroyed the integrity of many people. They are willing to bypass normal social protocols in order to get money, a gift, free food or sex. Just recently people were so hungry for the cheap items of a Christmas sale that they actually pressed a door open and trampled upon a person killing him. Sensual, violent and ads regularly flash enticing scenes further whetting the appetites of millions through more more devices than one can imagine.

The modern world defends their right to live by their lusts. Not too distant in the past, gambling and immorality were considered illegal. Now the government participates and propagates such activities to gain more revenues. Gone are the support of life-long commitment of marriage pledges.

By engorging their lusts people are convinced that they are obtaining the best for their lives when in fact they are stepping deeper and deeper into personal problems. They believe they are gaining freedoms (Did you ever hear the overused phrase, 'the right to ….'?) when they are actually being dominated by their lusts. Many are so ensnared in their lusts that they think it is wrong not to be able to satisfy their surging desires at will.

• Everyone deserves to own a house even if others are forced to pay for it (i.e. theft).
• Women deserve the right to freedom even if it means to kill another (i.e. abortion).
• Anyone should be able to have the rights of marriage (i.e. sexual immorality).

Lusts have so totally deceived the people that they are willing to do most anything or pass any law to gain and protect what they so deeply desire. This entrenchment of lust in our society makes things much more difficult to exercise self-control and be content with less.

Want rules! Desires win!

Living by one's desires have become so commonplace that many people, including believers, think that it is normal. Think of the Christian couple who tries to spark up their marriage by watching erotic movies or the man who sneak peeks at seductively dressed or undressed individuals. Such sensuality is expected on hotel television sets. Women desperate for attention are willing to gain the attention of a man by seductive clothing and spending private times with him.

One thing is clear. People are lost in lust. They have no way out unless they find the power of Christ. But why is it that so many believers are ensnared in affairs, pornography and lustful novels? Does not the Gospel save them from such sins? The apostle is clear about those who live out such lives.

"But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:3-6).

A Prayer

"Dear Lord, our society is sleeping with the Great Harlot. We regularly are being seduced into thinking that living for our desires is better than living by the power of your love. Oh Lord, please save us! Please let our hearts not turn cold to you. Many around us have deserted your love for their lusts. Please Lord forgive us where we have stained our own hands with greed, indulgence and covetousness. Please Lord, open our eyes and bring a spirit of repentance upon our hearts that we might fully turn to You. In the great Name of Jesus we pray, Amen."

Continue on to get a secret look at the inside look of lust.

Biblical Foundations for Freedom

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell

info@foundationsforfreedom.net

Scriptures quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted
(C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988