Lust
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body
The Baker’s Biblical Dictionary described lust as a strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature. The word appears relatively infrequently (just 29 times) in Scripture but always in a negative light and relating primarily either to a strong desire for sexual immorality or idolatrous worship. In the Old Testament, the word is mostly used to depict idolatrous activities. In the New Testament, however, the word moves from referring primarily to idolatry to referring almost entirely to sexual immorality.
What is sexual immorality?
We all have desires; it is a human trait. Desire can be described as the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied need. Desire can lead to new and better things; however, it can also get us in trouble. The Bible tells us that if our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die a spiritual death (Romans 8:6).
One such desire that is dangerous territory for Christians is sexual desire. Scientists believe sexual desire occurs at a subconscious level, as the result of biomechanical cues. Yes, God created us with sexual desires. But we all have wondered one time or the other if it would have been better if God had designed sexual desire with a little less power, with just a bit less voltage. God has planted within us an overpowering desire and then appears to be saying, “Oh, by the way, lust is adultery and adultery is not good for you. Good luck!”
Is that what God is saying, though?
Let’s unpack this a bit because I believe it will help us navigate the sex-saturated culture all around us; it is almost impossible to escape sexual immorality, it is all around us; we live in a society that promotes it, it is on our televisions, in the books we read, on the billboards in our cities and big time on social media. It also lurks on the playgrounds of high schools, is flaunted across universities, it raises its ugly head in our places of work and hides in our churches. The 7th commandment (Exodus 20:14) is not just broken these days; it has been shattered to pieces.
God isn’t saying He wants to extinguish sexual desire or pull the plug and shut the whole thing down. The answer isn’t to try and get rid of it somehow, but rather, line it up with God’s plan and purposes. There are things that God doesn’t want us to do when it comes to our sexual desires. Like committing adultery (Exodus 20:14), lusting after others even in our thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28) and sleeping with prostitutes (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
The seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14) doesn’t just forbid sexual immorality in the form of adultery; it forbids every action, look, conversation, thought, or desire that incites lust. Jesus crystallised this in a phrase that instantly rings true. He called what takes place when we sin this way “adultery in the heart” (Matthew 5:28).
God created us with sexual desires but wants us to enjoy them within the confines of marriage, and there is nothing sinful about having sexual desire for a spouse. Sexual immorality, on the other hand, hijacks God’s gift and steers it destructively.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body
It is no wonder that Paul uses such a strong word in 1 Corinthians 6:18 when dealing with sexual immorality – Flee! Sexual immorality holds power over us only when we submit to its worldly authority. However, as children of the almighty God, we are called to shake off everything that hinders and entangles us (Hebrews 12:1). When someone gives in and indulges in sexual temptation, they are soon dragged away by their evil desire and enticed (James 1:14). We must, therefore, flee before sexual temptations before they are conceived and give birth to sin (James 1:14).
Perhaps it is our hormones, or pheromones, or even our terminal nerve (google it) that turn on our sexual desires, and that is indeed God’s creation. However, regardless of what turned it on, something’s still got to be driving it. A child of God can learn to let sensory stimulation bounce off them without taking root in their mind and leading to sin (Galatians 5:16-25, Titus 2:11-14, 1 Peter 1:13-15, and 1 John 2:15-17). It’s like the old saying– “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair”.
Not a passive state
I doubt any normal human being can reach a passive state of freedom where lust is no longer operative – a state where there are totally free from all sexual desires. A better way to deal with lust is to frame it actively not passively.
Is it possible to live a Christian life in triumph over the temptation and sin of lust? – Yes, it is! The Bible provides instruction, prompting us to turn to God for our rescue from worldly desire. This isn’t a walk in the park while our hormones are surging, but it is absolutely crucial for a Christian.
“…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world.
My dear friend in the Lord, look at it this way, the next time lust strikes; you can use that moment to honour God by what you choose to do at that moment. Under the very waters of temptations when your desires are creeping up on you in things that God has forbidden, in the midst of that temptation, go to the cross of Jesus Christ. Respond to those sexual urges by faith saying Lord I am tempted but Lord this time I choose to honour you by not engaging my lustful desires.