Lust

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 5:27-30

Lust has never been a bigger industry. What was always lurking underneath the surface of society has now become mainstream through technology. Pornography isn’t just on adults only websites, it’s on Netflix (I’m referring to movies/TV Series that deliberately include nudity/sex).

And many Christians have fallen into the Pharisaical version of righteousness. It’s a kind of minimum requirement for law-keeping. It sounds a bit like this. Well, I don’t watch porn on websites, I’m good. Or, I’ve never slept with someone who wasn’t my wife/husband, I’m ok.

But Jesus says our righteousness needs to surpass that of the Pharisees. It needs to go beyond the minimum requirement as if that’s what the law was intended to achieve.

So what does that look like for you? Have you become accepting of watching nudity or looking at bodies you have no right to look at. Or maybe fantasising about people who you have no right to fantasise over.

Can I encourage you? Love God and love others by cutting lust out of your life.

For Today:

• Do you struggle with lust or do you know someone who does?
• What situations trigger lust for you?
• How could you love people today with your eyes and mind?

Pray:

• Praise the Father that He is pure.
• Give thanks for Christ who loved people with a pure heart.
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others cut lust out of your life.