How To Overcome Lust. Part [12] 08/11/2024 (Morning thought)

2nd Samuel 11:3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

Thus, when we read of David sending to inquire of the woman, he already committed sin, by yielding to lust. Similarly, if a Christian man in our day is going about his daily duties, minding his own business and out of the blue a Bathsheba appears, and lust wells up in his heart, if he proceeds to enquire after her, he would have sinned already, in his heart.

Again, if a man is surfing the internet for legitimate reasons, like buying tools on Amazon, and out of the blue a Bathsheba appears in the side bar, if he clicks on to further inquire after her, adultery has already taken place, because deliberate choice was used to pursue the inner craving of lust. Sounds like we’re in big trouble.

Men cannot prevent any Bathsheba from appearing out of the blue, and there are times when the one who is struggling to overcome lust might be stung with stunning external beauty, but he must not even linger, or drool after her, because doing so would be the equivalent of David “Sending” to enquire after her”.

Matthew 5: 27 You have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery, 28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

How To Overcome Lust. Part [11] 08/11/2024 (Evening thought)

2nd Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

He could have stopped there and then, and he may have had to grit his teeth in denying self, but if he had, the bottom line is that David’s after history was going to be quite different. Sometimes, in overcoming lust, the struggle can be quite severe, to the point where it might resemble works instead of faith. But we need to understand that overcoming lust can get pretty ugly. Some men like Joseph might have to literally run for their lives.

Others may have to avoid certain places where the forces of satan are firmly entrenched. Again, these things do not constitute the real victory, in and of themselves, but they do facilitate the working of God in the heart, and if they become necessary, and are done, your after history will be different.

 But when David deliberately chose to facilitate the cravings of lust, instead of facilitating the work of God in the heart, he opened up his vulnerabilities, and the rest is history. When once a man uses his freedom of choice in the facilitating of lust, it becomes a slippery slope from which it can be difficult to escape, because, at that juncture, he is cooperating with devils, instead of God. And once choice is placed in satan’s favor, he makes certain that it would be pressed to its logical end.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 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.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!