Lust is a desire that comes from the flesh. It’s goal is to seek pleasure and devour the Spirit. The feelings of lust are often met with confusion and can lead people down the wrong path. People mix up being in love with being in lust. Love and lust have may have similar characteristics such as passion and enjoyment but their results are polar opposites. The flesh lives in lust while The Spirit lives in love. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace [Romans 8:6].
Lust opens the door to a world of lies, pain and disillusion. People with lustful intentions will tell you whatever you want to hear without regard to your feelings or future. They lie to get you in bed, lie to make you cheat on your significant other or lie to take advantage of you. Lust can bring heartache and lead to disappointment. Lust is a temporary fix and will never be a solution to any dilemma. The flesh desires instant gratification but the Spirit desires eternal life. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life [Galatians 6:9].
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body” – 1 Corinthians 6:18
Unlike the other deadly sins, Lust is the only one that causes one to sin against themselves. Those who have sex outside of marriage, sin against their own bodies. The human body is a temple where the Holy Spirit dwells. This temple is created to be holy and pure allowing the Spirit to rest peacefully. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body [1 Corinthians 6:13]. Although you have free will and can decide what to do with the body you are given, you must use your body to glorify the lord. Your body does not belong to you rather it was assigned to you for the mission you have been called to do. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh [Galatians 5:16].
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Believers, be aware of the difference between lust and love within relationships. When lust is the foundation of a relationship, it will not last whether friendship or romantic. A relationship built on lust is like quicksand for the two. It will seem like they can stand the chance but slowly they will sink. Temptation is a strong desire that can be difficult to control. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure [1 Corinthians 10:13]. Be strong Believers and know that God has already given you the power and authority to overcome the temptations and desires of lust because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world [1 John 4:4].
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” – Hebrews 4:15