Killing Lust - A.S.A.P.!

Yesterday I discussed how the Seventh Commandment ("You shall not commit adultery") is being demolished in our society today. Sexual purity is considered a thing of the past. But sexual purity for the follower of Jesus is not simply an option to take or leave at one's pleasure. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3 we read, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality." Could God have made His will for us in the sexual arena any plainer than that?

So, in this sex-saturated culture in which we live, how can we slay the dragon of sexual lust? Today, I want to give you two steps you can take to do so. Then in my next post, I will finish my thoughts with two more. I will use an acrostic to help you remember these. Because we must get serious and intentional about our battle against sexual temptation, I am going to use the acrostic ... A.S.A.P. (As Soon As Possible) - this to remind us that we must fight off any and all sexual temptation as soon as possible - without delay, without hesitation!

Avoid (as much as possible) situations and circumstances that arouse lust. In Romans 13:14 we read, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Our sinful flesh does not need any help when it comes to its sinful passions. Therefore, we need to be careful what we feed it! So don't go watching Victoria Secrets commercials or hang a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit calendar on your wall. Don't watch suggestive movies or read seductive novels. And DO NOT sit down at your computer and start checking out porn sites! If you want to slay the dragon of lust, you must avoid situations and circumstances that arouse your lust! Jesus puts it strongly when he says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, 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" (Matthew 5:27-29).

Stop any lustful thought from implanting itself in your mind - and stop it within the first 5 seconds! The battlefield upon which we fight against sexual temptation is our mind. This is why it is so vital that when a lustful thought arises in your mind - you need to kill it and kill it quickly. Otherwise you will be overpowered by its alluring strength. A verse that has always encouraged me in this battle against temptation is 1 Corinthians 10:13. There we read, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." I believe the "way out" (a.k.a. "exit") that God provides for us is at the front end of the temptation. The moment you begin to consider saying "yes" to sexual temptation will most likely be the moment you have lost the battle. So ... say "No!" and then run! That's what God tells us to do in 1 Corinthians 6:18 where we read, "Flee from sexual immorality." A pastor from yesteryear put it this way, "Be killing sin or it will be killing YOU!" (John Owen)

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj