“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust”
James 1:14; NASB
Temptation is something we all know quite well. It has the power to derail the best of intentions. It can begin with something as little as a fleeting “what if” thought or a side-glance. Sometimes those temptations can seem like an attack from the devil, which may or may not be the case. However, the devil cannot get your attention with something in which you have no interest or desire. When we think of lust, it is most often associated with sex, but that is not always the case. Lust is a strong feeling or desire for anything. It can be for food, an activity or sport, objects such as cars, jewelry, or clothes, you name it. Any desire that can get your attention when you don’t willingly want to give it attention is probably rooted in lust.
Lust can easily turn into idolatry. It can happen gradually without you even noticing. For instance, you might enjoy reading romance novels because you like the story lines, but that can slowly take you down a slippery slope toward social and sexual fantasies. You could get a golf lesson as a birthday gift and get bitten by the “golfing bug” that soon becomes an obsession. I’ve known runners who live and breathe anything related to the sport. Watching sports is an obsession for many in our society, to where a sports fan will overcharge his credit cards and neglect time with his family in pursuit of it. Most good, clean activities can be healthy diversions in moderation. Sex between a man and his wife, when not fueled by lust, is a God given pleasure. Problems begin when there is a seemingly unquenchable desire attached to the activity. This is a sign of something deeper that needs attention, which should not be taken lightly.
Lustful thoughts or actions are many times rooted in a search for something meaningful or pleasurable in your life. The book of James warns us of the danger that lurks behind lustful thoughts. He states, “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jam 1:15). Although this is true, a right response to the lust(s) you have can bring spiritual maturity. It is all part of dying to your flesh in search of a deeper relationship with Christ. The truth is, God is the only thing that can fill the emptiness that results in lust. If you seek Him first, enjoyment in other things can result without overindulgence.
When Christ is not the source of our satisfaction, temptation becomes a problem. Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Mt. 6:33). Jesus was speaking of the basics here. Food, drink, and clothing, which Jesus was speaking of here, are the necessities of life. God provides those things through Christ to those who believe. Everything else in life can come and go according to our circumstances, and we need to be aware and accepting of that truth. It is good and natural to desire things in life, but we must be careful to keep our priorities in check. God must come first, then all other things come in their proper order. Family, work, and pleasure all have their place. It is up to each one of us to keep them in their place. As the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Co 6:12b).
God bless and have a great week