The Dangers of Lust
by Pastor Jake
“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death (James 1:14-15).”
Lust is an overwhelming craving, consuming, intense, excessive and unrestrained desire that cannot be satisfied. Lust itself is addictive and is the root of the addiction to alcohol, tobacco, drugs sexual cravings, appetites for things of the world and, yes, even religion; it is the root of the sin nature of man.
Many have been delivered from the lust for alcohol, drugs and etc. only to have lust manifest itself in some other craving, even becoming addicted to a man made religion. They are in the danger of turning as a “dog returns to it own vomit (2 Peter 2:22).” This has happen to many that have filled the pulpits, and even many more that has filled the pews of the churches of today. These failures of men have also been manifested in many of the high offices of government in this nation and around the world.
Lust is all about self.
“If I love you, what is in it for me?”
“If I join the church, what is in it for me?”
“What do I need to do to go to heaven?”
“I want to be saved because I don’t want to go to hell.”
“Lord I need help with my finances.”
I, I, I,-----and on and on and on...
Lust promotes self and is the driving force behind the sins of thief, adultery, fornication (immorality) murder and other crimes. At the root of jealousy, envy and strife you will find lust. Anger also is the result of lust. Without lust the human nature of ego and boastful pride is not present thus one could not be offended. Lust also results in rebellion. Lucifer, the father of lust, rebelled against God because he desired God’s throne; thus he became Satan, God’s adversary.
Lust blinds one spiritually; under its deception one perceives evil to be good and good to be evil. Because of lust man is lead by the five senses of his body rather than the Spirit of God. And as a natural man filled with lust he cannot discern the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14). It is obvious there is nothing good or beneficial in any way in lust.
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17 NASU).”
An alcoholic will not admit he is an alcoholic thus he remains an alcoholic. If he is to be cured of his addiction he must first realize and confess he is an alcoholic and seek help. The same is true of drugs, tobacco, sexual cravings, and other addictive appetites. Lust must be treated in the same way. If a person is to be cured of the addiction of lust he or she must first confess that he or she has lust in his or her heart and seek help. There is only one source of help!!!
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures (James 1:16-18 NASU).”
At the root of all lust is and unsatisfied need in a person’s life. All addictions strive to fulfill that need with something else. Until that deep desire is met a person will go from one addiction to another. That deep desire can only be met with the love that is from God the Father.
All that is good comes from the Father. To be cured of lust one must come to the Father through His Son, confess that he has lust in his heart and ask Him to remove it. Love is the motivating force that moves one to faith and trust. Through love from a sincere heart and a deep faith in God lust is removed from the heart of man and replaced with the love of God through Christ Jesus, the one and only Savior. He and He alone can satisfy all mans desires.
“Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:4 NASU).”
Pastor Jake