Proverbs 6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
This passage of scripture warns us of the dangers of harboring internal lusts and desires that are contrary to God's revealed will, and that are indeed detrimental to Christian growth and development. Many of us struggle with thoughts, desires and propensities, which surface from time to time in our minds, and if they are not repulsed and uprooted from our hearts by the power of God, they will take up permanent residence, and will one day materialize into sinful actions, and un-Christlike behaviors. The apostle James describes the fierce conflict that often erupts in the minds of those who are not daily abiding in Christ. Let's read:
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
It is true that as Christians we must cooperate with God in gaining the victory, by avoiding the very appearance or evil. The sights and sounds, and the suggestions we receive through our senses are to be carefully monitored, so as not to let any evil suggestion awaken a corresponding chord in our hearts, which are naturally bent to sin. However, avoiding the appearance of evil is not where true victory lies, for it takes a change of heart which only God can give, by having Jesus live within us. This sacred truth should be thoroughly understood by all Christians, for it is possible for us to become deceived with an external form of righteousness which does not touch the heart nor change the mind.
The Bible teaches us of the only way in which internal lusts can successfully be repressed, and we should consider that it is only by the power of The Holy Ghost working in us, that this level of godly living can become an on-going reality. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
It is worthy of note, that in repulsing the devil in the wilderness, our Savior used "It is written". It is of critical importance for us to know why He consistently referred to the word of God in repelling satan, even though He was fully loaded with the Holy Spirit. The word of God is what the Bible refers to as "The sword of The Spirit" and this particular spiritual weapon is used both offensively and defensively by the Holy Ghost .in defeating the military campaigns of the evil one against our souls, and therefore it is necessary that the scriptures be installed permanently in our minds, so that the Holy Ghost has a full armory to draw from at any given period.
When we do not know what the scriptures say on a particular point, we become vulnerable to the assaults of the enemy, who often comes to us dressed as an angel of light, quoting verses of scripture out of context, or using disconnected portions, to suit his own purposes of deception. This is what He assayed to do in the second temptation of Christ, when he suggested that Christ cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, so that The Father will be forced to deliver Him. Let's read:
Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
The four words that were omitted by satan from the original passage would have made all the difference in the interpretation of the text, and that's why Christ reached for the sword of the Spirit, and cut down the false spin the devil tried to put on the verse in question. Let's read:
Psalms 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
The words "In all thy ways" means in all the ways of God's choosing, and thus, if Christ did not know what the scriptures say on this point, He would not be able to refute satan's suggestion with the following passage. Let's read:
Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Many Christians who are struggling with internal lusts do not know what the Bible has to say on pornography, and the viewing of sexually explicit material, and so when the devil comes to us in the form of some playboy magazine or x-rated video, the sword of the Spirit remains idle on the back burner of our minds, while the evil suggestions that are thus given, are permitted to run riot and take root. It is therefore of critical importance for our minds to be infused with both the word and The Spirit of God, so that a spiritual fortress be built and maintained around our souls.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds us of the power which has been made available to every believer, which, in conjunction with the sword of the Spirit, will enable us to live victoriously from day to day. Let's read:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
May this passage and promise be our experience today, for if we trust in God, and hide His word in our hearts, the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all sin. God bless!