Lust is a seamy word. We associate its use primarily with sexual sin. It is more than sexual. Lust is defined in Scripture as any strong and undisciplined craving or desire. It can be associated with the unhealthy use of anything in life.
Our place of jeopardy begins when a desire of any kind gets off track and leaves its union with the heart of God and becomes autonomous. Lust is a self-seeking, self-gratifying pursuit. Anytime we allow a desire or craving, no matter what it is, food, sex, status, money, to live an autonomous existence, we will reap a deadly harvest.
If you are dealing with lust in any form you are actually dealing with the spirit of death. This is where most of us have missed the boat. We spend time rebuking lust when it is death that needs our rebuke. Lust is only an empowering emotion employed by the spirit of death.
James provides clear insight into the death spiral of unbridled lust:
“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 wants to kill your marriage, your family, your friendships, and your place of calling and influence. We spend time trying to rebuke the spirit of lust when our real enemy is the spirit of death.
This death-producing reproductive cycle is at work anywhere autonomy rules our lives. Confess the sin of autonomy and confront the spirit of death. Lust will begin to lose its grip because the light of truth will have exposed a death-inspired plan that can only survive in the shadows of deception.
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