7 Deadly Sins: Lust ?

We have a distorted view of sex as a culture. It has become a weak, two-dimensional version of the great gift God has given us.

Lust can be a devastating sin. David's spiral into deep sin and self-destruction began with lustfulness.

The nature of Lust ?

When we compare this story with the fall, we can see great similarities:

•  Both David and Eve saw

•  Both David and Eve desired

•  Both David and Eve took

And often this is how sin goes for us. We see something, something wrong. We desire it more than we desire God. Then we take it.

The difference with lust and it's nature is that when we act on it, we take them. It is a sin that deeply affects the other party or parties. They are seen by our sinful hearts as an object, something to be taken and used. It is a horrible way to see someone who is made and loved by God.

Lust sees sex as a take-only act. Yet God designed and desires it to be a giving act. Between a married couple, sex can be giving and loving and true to what God designed. Sex is not used to "market" yourself to your partner, it is used to celebrate the love you have already committed to in marriage, hence why sex outside marriage - even in an alternative committed relationship - is not true to God's design, and can be greatly damaging to the future of that relationship.

What Jesus says ?

Matthew 5:27-30

Jesus is brutally clear on this issue of lust. It goes right to the core of us. Our thoughts and attitudes can be just as sinful.

We might not act on our lustful desires - yet Jesus is clear here that the sin is still there. There is still objectification, greed, and sinful desire.

Jesus is incredibly serious. We must do whatever it takes to avoid this sin. Here Jesus specifically references hell in this passage. A rare occurrence yet very, very real.

The mis-steps of culture

There are a few missteps that can lead to this sin. We must be careful not to have this mindset.

❌ Your identity is your sexuality

We are first and foremost children of God - Christians.

Our culture takes our sexuality as prime position for our identity. That we are identified by who we are sleeping with, or partnered with. The primary identity we have is in Christ

❌ If it makes you happy, it must be right

Even non-christians can tell you this isn't true. Something that seems to make you happy can turn, or fade away. And often tough situations can ultimately bring joy.

❌ Sex is where true intimacy is found

There are many, many ways that friendship can lead to an intimacy far greater than sex. Friendship can be deep, close, nourishing, and very intimate.

The opposite of lust is trusting God

Lust comes from a wrong choice. We choose to take something we shouldn't, rather than trusting God.

We must trust God that the oath we are on is the best for us, according to His will.

This will be hard, but we do have the Holy Spirit to trust Him and believe that He wants the best for us.