I must begin with a definition of lust because I often lose sight of how broad the subject of lust really is.
Lust per http://www.blogger.com/www.access-jesus.com/definition-of-lust.html: The simple definition of lust is having a self-absorbed desire for an object, person, or experience. When we are in lust, we place the object of our desire above all things in our lives. From a Christian perspective lust is bad because we are putting the object of our lust above God.
The Love Dare explains that “lust is in opposition to love.”
Do I have a self-absorbed desire for an object, person, or experience? A love that is not godly? Sometimes I lust after food. I lust after success. I lust after appreciation and approval. I look to the food, the success, the appreciation and approval to fulfill me and to make me happy. When I expect them to do what only God can, I’m lusting after them. I’m not placing my trust in God and I am desiring other things to bring me contentment.
The dare challenges me to “end it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you’ve swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed – today – and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with his perfect love.”
Obviously I shouldn’t remove all food, but I need to give my desire for food as fulfillment up to Him. Food does not satisfy but a moment. God says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be filled.” I love how God takes those things that we desire to make us happy and the Bible shows how God is the true fulfillment of all our needs and wants. We may hunger within our body, but the hunger in our spirit is what can be truly fed and can bring us joy. Food cannot be an idol, nor can it bring us fulfillment whether too much food or starving ourselves of food.
Success. So many people strive after success. Maybe if I spent less time trying to succeed and more time seeking my Savior, I might do less trying and more . . . succeeding. God is ultimately in control. I can lust after success or I can pursue God with all that I am. I must choose the later.
I am a woman and being such I lust after appreciation and approval. I tend to want approval more than I want anything else. I want the new person I meet to like me. I want my husband to show that he is happy with me. I crave appreciation. Do you realize how many I’s were involved in these statements? In light of God’s love, I must take my need for appreciation and approval and nail them to the cross.
Maybe I do not lust in the way most people think of the word lust, but when I love other things that aren’t a part of God’s plan I am lusting. Lust is a very selfish thing, and I really want to learn to become more like Jesus and become selfless. I must end my obsession with food, I must end my obsession with success, and I must end my obsession with approval. God is my stronghold, not these meaningless things.
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