Pride of the eyes and Lust
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4:8 (add scripture)
Virus – Hidden Infections in the Spiritual Life
Lust – 1 Th. 4:1-8
Trans: Last week we started a new series on the (7) deadly sins – Virus. Our goal is to place these deadly sins under the microscope of God’s Word to understand their infectious tendencies and to discover a remedy. Today we’re going to look at lust.
Trans: When it comes to lust and sex many of us failing b/c we’re naïve to the power of lust. We treat it like it’s a rubber snake when it’s a King Cobra. And unless we gain a biblical understanding of its power, it will inflict a great deal of pain in our lives.
Read: 1 Thes. 4:1-8
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Instructions on the Way Christians Should Live
4 Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you. 2 You know what orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus.3 It is God’s will that you keep away from sexual sin as a mark of your devotion to him. 4 Each of you should know that finding a husband or wife for yourself is to be done in a holy and honorable way, 5 not in the passionate, lustful way of people who don’t know God. 6 No one should take advantage of or exploit other believers that way. The Lord is the one who punishes people for all these things. We’ve already told you and warned you about this. 7 God didn’t call us to be sexually immoral but to be holy. 8 Therefore, whoever rejects this order is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. (God’s Word)
I. The ROOT of Lust “….very strong sexual desire.”
Define: Lust is an insatiable craving to gratify your fleshly desires by seeking to satisfy a legitimate desire in an illegitimate way.
Truth is we can lust after money/possessions – greed; food – gluttony; and recognition – pride. But for the sake of our study today, we’re going to discuss lust w/in the context of sexuality.
Note: Under God, sexuality is a gift to be enjoyed by married adults w/in the context of a loving relationship. But since the fall, sexuality has been perverted and misappropriated in lude acts of lust and self-gratification contrary to God’s plan.
Text: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Col. 3:5
A. Lust ORIGINATES in the Flesh
A. Note: Its origin is found in the flesh and the portals of
the soul include the lust of the eyes, the lust of the
flesh, and the pride of life.
Verse: Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that’s in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t of the Father, but is of the world.
Note: Since the fall, the flesh (or natural man) craves but one thing – immediate and complete satisfaction at all cost. The flesh is filled w/ a desire to satisfy its shameful appetites, showy appearances, and shallow applause. It will indulge in all kinds of perversity to satisfy its desires but will never be filled. (See Romans 1:16-32)
Note: The flesh is totally depraved and despicable – completely self-centered and self indulgent. The flesh is only capable of gratifying itself and perverting what God intended for good into an act contrary to the heart and will of God.
B. Lust must be EXECUTED by the Spirit
Note: It must be put to death – which is only possible through the cross. No person can overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life w/out the cross. The cross sets a man free and enables him to walk in the grace of God.
II. The REALITY of Lust 2 Samuel 11:1-27
A. Stage 1 – IDLENESS
VERSE 1 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
Quote: If idle hands are the Devil’s workshop, than an idle mind is his playground.
Note: Notice that when kings normally went to war, David stayed in Jerusalem. David was lazy and content and set up for failure. He didn’t take the war serious.
Insert: Many of us don’t take battle for our mind and hearts seriously. We question the devil’s existence and even tempt temptation.
Eve grossly underestimate the reality and power of Satan not realizing that he is out to destroy our families, reputations, and lives. We must never drop our guard.
Verse: 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Pt. 5:8 (NIV)
B. Stage 2 – INTEREST v. 2 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.
Note: Lust has an INSATIABLE Appetite – if you feed it – it only craves more.
Verse:
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death James 1:13-15
Word: Entice – is a fishing term meaning to lure by using bait. Did you know that in fishing, the #1 lure for catching bass is called a jig? The best jigs have just enough skirt to hide the hook. The devil understands that if he can get our interest peaked in lust, he has us well on the way to getting hooked.
C. Stage 3 – INTOXICATION v. 3 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”
Note: the tendency to flirt w/ lust trying to get as close to sin w/out sinning as possible.
Note: David began to fantasize and develop plans to gratify his lust. He began to ignore his conscience and justify his convictions. He was consumed w/ Bathsheba.
Truth: Anytime a person begins to dwell in his mind on the possibility of sin, he is well on his way to sinning.
Trans: Law of Diminishing Return – the more you look the more you desire – the problem is what was exciting the 1st time is only okay the 2nd time, but boring the 3rd time.
Insert: Playboy holds your attention for a while, but then it’s on to other explicit magazines. Soon you’re trying softcore videos from the store or pay-per-view leading down the road hardcore porn. Suddenly the funny Playboy peep show has resulted in a full blown addiction and only the raunchiest material gives you the fix you crave.
D Stage 4 – INDULGENCE v. 4 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.
Note: David was no longer satisfied w/ the dream – he wanted to experience the goods. Thus, he abused his authority and took what didn’t belong to him. He had Bathsheba brought to his home where he acted upon his lust and sinned against God.
Note: David stepped out of the fantasy and into the nightmare. What looked good from a distance was poison to his soul!
Quote: Every outward act of sin is preceded by an inward act of choice.
E Stage 5 – INCINERATION v. 4 II Sam 11:15-17“Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.” 16 So it was, while Joab besieged the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew there were valiant men. 17 Then the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And some of the people of the servants of David fell; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
Note: If what David did wasn’t bad enough, he then set out to eliminate any evidence that might reveal his guilt. As if adultery wasn’t enough, he had Uriah murdered. This is the nature of the flesh – to find an excuse or and escape from the pain, penalty, and power of sin. But sin always has a payday. (Rom. 6:23 and Gal. 6:7-8)
III The RESULT of Lust
Verse: Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins that a man commits are outside of the body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 1 Cr. 6:18
A. It Destroys Your CONVICTIONS
Note: Think about it – a little lust led David to commit acts of adultery and murder. It will eventually cause you to lose your ability to judge right from wrong.
B. It Destroys Your CHARACTER
Note: Lust destroys you reputation and integrity. You lose both your credibility and the confidence of others b/c you have no sense of morality and no sense of self-control.
C. It Destroys Your CONNECTIONS
Note: As a result of his sin, David lost his intimacy w/ God, his son, and his Kingdom.
Note: Lust will separate you from fellowship w/ God.
Lust will separate you from your spouse and kids.
Lust will separate you from your friends and family.
Note: It destroys your ability to love w/ purity – it taints the soul.
V. The REMEDY for Lust Genesis 39:6b-12
A Be Accountable v. 8-9
Note: Joseph said he couldn’t indulge b/c he’d have to answer to Potipher and to God.
Insert: Who or what holds you accountable? Do you have a net nanny for the internet? Do you have a ratings block on your TV? Do you have a person you answer to regularly for your actions? Everyone needs accountability!
B Count the Cost v. 8-9
Note: Joseph then recognized all that he would lose if he engaged in the proposition.
Note: Is it worth losing respect for your self? It is worth the guilt and emotional turmoil? Is it worth the shame and damage to your reputation? Is it worth the risk of disease?
Is it worth getting divorced or estranged from your mate? Is it worth it?
Funny: I’m reminded of the man shopping w/ his wife at the mall. A beautiful young lady passed by wearing a provocative form fitting dress catching the eyes of the man who nonchalantly watched the girl walk out of view to which the wife responded w/out looking up – “Was she worth the trouble you in?”
C Stick to Your Convictions v. 10
Note: The idea is to always – Keep Up Your Guard
Note: Potipher’s wife was relentless. She used every means to tempt, trick, and turn Joseph, but he stuck to his convictions.
Note: He determined to believe the commands of God over the whispers of the wife.
Note: Remember that while lust makes great promises – it can only deliver a lie.
Verse: I have hidden God’s Word in my heart that I might not sin against God. Ps. 119:11
D. Flee the Folly and Fight the Urge v. 11
Note: Do whatever it takes to avoid lust – Joseph found himself in the clutches of a temptress and decided to make a run for it leaving his clothes in her hands.
Trans: Jesus offered some pretty radical too.
Verse: You’ve heard that it was said, ’Never commit adultery.’ But I can guarantee that whoever looks w/ lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart. "So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it thrown into hell. And if your right hand leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it go into hell. Mt. 5:27-30
Insert: Hyperbole – an exaggeration to make an undeniable point.
Note: Jesus doesn’t mean for you to pluck out your eyes, but He does want you to do whatever it takes to eliminate lust from your life.
Concl: Lust – it’s no joking matter – it is a real problem in our culture, in our communities, in our churches, and in our homes. But we can only overcome through the blood of the lamb – b/c greater is He that is w/in you than he who is in the world.
