There are just some sins that are hard to talk about. Gluttony, oversleeping, under sleeping, working too much, not taking care of the temple of God, etc. are just some sins that pastors tend to overlook.
These over-looked sins are the ones that are the most damaging because they take root and grow into a strong deterant before many people even realize they were there. Lust is one of these sins.
James 1:13-15- Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Lust is what allows sin to be appealing to us. Lust is what makes us desire to sin. And when lust gets it's way, the consequences aren't so pleasant!
II Samuel 13:1-2- And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
The Bible says that it was love. The Bible says that Amnon loved her.
But lust is an interesting thing. He never should have entertained the idea of Tamar because she was his sister. If you ponder it, you will start believing it. And when that happens, the devil will make sure you believe you deserve the object of your desires.
II Samuel 13:3-5- But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
The devil gives him the opportunity to take his desires. This isn't true love. True love doesn't go about getting what it wants for only itself. True love doesn't think of it's own pleasure. But lust does.
What is the end of this?
II Samuel 13:14-15- Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
The Bible shows us that what Amnon thought was true love was actually a counterfeit. It was lust. It was a fleshly desire fueled by lust.
Amnon ends up being killed by Tamar's sister as a consequence for his actions. But, poor Tamar lives the rest of her days as a devastated shadow of her former self. Lust never thinks of the consequences to the other person, either.
There are many people who say they love someone so they sleep with them- they don't realize the damage they are doing. Even if they get married later, there are consequences to that sin that don't just go away!
Colossians 3:3-6- For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
The wrath of God is the consequence you will face for these sins.
I just have to have it! I desire it so much and I just know that my life will be better with it! We've all heard it before- from our children, from our friends, and even from our own hearts. It's my life, let me live it.
James 4:1-4- From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Can a Christian become God's enemy? Certainly, if he follows his own desires instead of God's will for his life. He won't lose his salvation, but he can certainly lose a whole lot besides that!
What do you do when you are being tempted by your own desires?
I Corinthians 10:13- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
II Peter 1:4- Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Just rest in God's promises and flee youthful lusts!
But, I've already given in to the temptation.
Isaiah 55:7- Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
You've got to confess and forsake it. Why do I say forsake it? Because, you will be confronted with it again. It can grab a hold of you and deceive you; It can own you and destroy you if you aren't ready to fight it!
Galatians 5:16- This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Get close to God. Read your Bible, Pray, Witness, and Memorize! Prepare your spiritual weapons against the day of battle!
