Slow Boil

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 (NLT)

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’re probably aware that adultery is a no-no in the Bible. In fact, even most non-Christians know it’s wrong. But there’s a sin that is closely related to adultery, and our culture – even our Christian culture – seems to accept it much more readily. It is the sin of lust.

Why is lust so tolerated? Perhaps because it is a sin of the heart and mind and can go unchecked. But the Bible is clear: Jesus said if a man looks at a woman with lust, he’s already committed adultery with her in his heart! Jesus, being all-wise, knew that all sin begins in the heart.

There’s no doubt about it: This world is no friend to the person who wants to keep his eyes pure. Opportunities for lust are everywhere. You can hardly check out at the grocery store or open up your internet homepage without being presented with sensual images. Many folks, bombarded by these images, find themselves in a constant lustful slow boil, so to speak.

So what’s a person to do? First, consider doing what Job in the Bible did. He made an agreement with his eyes not to look at the opposite sex lustfully. That means you must devise a plan of action to take if an opportunity for lust presents itself.

Second, take a look in the mirror before you walk out the door. Ask yourself, “Is the way I’m dressed going to draw the wrong kind of attention? Will I be a stumbling block to someone struggling with lust?”

Lust may seem harmless, but it’s actually very dangerous. It feeds dissatisfaction, disrespect, and envy. Plus, it’s a quick stepping-stone to the sin of adultery, which has even more far-reaching negative consequences.

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman. Job 31:1 (NLT)

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