Note: This is BURN with a U not an E. This is not a political endorsement.
Question:
Checking someone out, is it sin?
“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28
Have you ever felt the burn? If not, just hold on. It’s inevitable. You’re going have to face it at some point. Not just you, but everyone. One day you will just be sitting there, minding your own business and in will walk someone you can’t ignore. Their look, their frame, their clothes (or the lack there of), something about them is intriguing. You will at some point be caught off guard. Everyone experiences this. That’s not the problem. The real problem is not what you see, but rather, how you handle what you see. How will you respond? Often, thoughts mingle with desire, and suddenly you have fallen into the trap called “lust”. Jesus dealt with the issue of lust sharply in scripture. In the Gospels, we find Him declaring a reality on this matter that turned the world on it’s ear- lust is not only an action but a thought as well. Jesus immediately raised the bar. Lust is not about someone catching your attention, it’s about them keeping it. So, can you check someone out without sinning? If you can, it won’t be for long. If that’s your method, buckle up, you’re going crash. We have a better solution. While most believe our generation is doomed in the realm of purity, we believe differently. As a matter of fact, we believe the exact opposite. We are convinced that this is the generation that will start a revolution in the realm of purity. You don’t have to be a victim of temptation. Lust may be your greatest enemy, but don’t allow it to be your lord. We need a paradigm shift. Here are four truths that you must know if you are set on winning the war against lust:
Truth number one: People are not objects.
People are more than the skin they wear. Our society is facing a major tragedy- everything is sexualized. Sex is the leading tool in marketing right now. Think about it, how many T.V. shows, music videos, and even commercials have you seen that have nothing to do with sexuality, yet they are using people in the most provocatively scandalous ways? I mean c’mon, what does a half-naked woman have to do with a Hardee’s hamburger? This is nuts! The drive in sexualized marketing has led our society to one of it’s darkest places, where we now primarily see people as objects. The highlight of any individual is not what you see on the outside. The highlight is what’s on the inside. Newsflash: You are not a product that is up for sale. Every person has a story and a purpose. Next time you are tempted to indulge in your lustful desires, just remember that the person you are fantasizing over is not some sexual object that exists for your pleasure. You must change your perspective.
Truth number two: Your thoughts are your responsibility.
I was having lunch with a friend one day when a girl in cut-off shorts walked by. As soon as she passed us, I noticed that my friend had dropped his eyes and followed her until she was out of sight. “What are you looking at?” I asked. He was caught red handed. Embarrassed, he stuttered around and eventually said, “I couldn’t help it, if she didn’t want me to look, she shouldn’t have worn that!” He was right in saying she shouldn’t have worn that, but he was wrong in saying that he couldn’t help himself. While someone’s choice of attire can make temptation all the more difficult, ultimately you are the one in charge of what you do with what you see. As believers, we have been given a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who can help us extinguish the fires of temptation even in the most challenging situations. Next time you’re facing temptation that seems insurmountable, whisper a simple four letter word to the Holy Spirit: “Help”.
Truth Number three: You cannot justify what God condemns.
A few years ago, we met with someone whose struggle with lust had almost taken over their life. They were hurting, they were broken, and they needed help. When we sat down for our meeting, one of the first questions asked was, “If lust is sin, why does it seem so natural?” The answer is simple: in a broken world, wrong seems right and right seems wrong. The individual we were meeting with had sadly bought into the idea that because their lust problem was a “struggle”, God would excuse it. There is just one major problem with that philosophy- your struggle cannot change God’s words. Jesus made it clear, in black and white, that lust is sin and He will not change His mind because of someone’s struggle. In fact, He has done something better. He has given us grace, the divine power to overcome every temptation we will ever face. The reality is that without Jesus, we are broken people, in a broken world, making bad decisions. I hope you see more and more that Jesus is our only hope. If you want to live free from the vice of lust, you must stop trying to justify what God has condemned, and embrace His grace!
Truth number four: You must be quick to repent.
If in your aim for purity you fall short, don’t settle in defeat. There is only one thing your enemy loves more than when you commit sin; when you settle in it. Scripture holds no short list of those whose lives fell into the trap of lust and immorality. If you’ve blown it, you are not alone. Don’t let your failure define you. The Message paraphrase renders Proverbs 24:15-16 powerfully in saying, “Don’t interfere with good people’s lives; don’t try to get the best of them. No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long; Soon they’re up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.” The only way you can be defeated is if you choose to settle in your failure. Cry out to God, be quick to repent, and get back up.
These truths have the power to transform your life. We are not victims of a carnal appetite. We can live free from the grip of lust, and maintain purity even when we feel the burn of temptation all around us.
Caleb and Ali live in East Tennessee where they serve at The Lift Church. With boldness and conviction, their deepest desire is to see the church revived and the world awakened. Learn more about The Lift by visiting theliftchurch.tv.
