Lust
as described by scripture is an inappropriate and excessive desire or
craving for something that preoccupies our mind and actions. When a person
becomes preoccupied with lust and desire until it affects their perspective on
everything else around them there is a problem. Dating relationships among young
people are often ruled by emotional and sexual desires that fuel into addiction
later on in life.
When
a young spiritually immature mind believes it is ok to have sex before
marriage, or even if they don't, but have not been taught to respect the opposite
sex, they will have sex before marriage. This is what dating is. This starts
the validation to have sex with others, to view naked people having sex, and to
think on sexual things when they should be thinking on more important things
for their growing up years.
You
are God’s creation—he did not make you to look upon another with lust in your
eyes, but many have chosen that for their life. How many young men respect the
young women around them? It's not wrong to appreciate a beautiful woman or man
but what makes it wrong is when we look to receive (disrespect) something from
that beauty because we think it belongs to us. How selfish is that?! At this
point it becomes lust and wrong desire. These desires can cause many emotional
problems for young people and those who are thinking of getting married.
How
Samson Got Caught Up in Lust
Have
you ever read or heard about the story of Samson and Delilah? (Judges 16:4-31)
Read Judges to find out for yourself. Here is my short recap.
Samson
thought Delilah could do no wrong—he couldn’t see her for the woman she really
was—wicked and evil. Samson was burning with passion for her, but Delilah
deceived Samson more than once. Samson was in lust and desire for Delilah and
she took advantage of his feelings and betrayed the secret of his strength to
the Philistines and consequently he died.
Delilah
was a deceitful woman with honey on her lips and poison in her heart. But
because of his desire and lust he brought on his own death by trusting in her
lies! He believed the lies that Delilah loved him and wanted him. Samson caved
in over and over again because he was continually deceived by her beauty and
passionate words. Samson's own blindness allowed himself to be deceived.
This
is the same way that young people today become deceived to open themselves up
with each other sexually and emotionally.
So
why did I mention this story?
It
is the same way with any lustful desire or sexual craving—whether it is porn
addiction, adultery, fornication, or other sexual sins. Lust destroys “who you
are”! (She/he will prey upon your life). Lust will deceive you into believing
the lies you hear from the world. You will get caught up in the lies and your
perspective will change about everything else around you.
Although Samson was very strong and could even
strangle a lion, he could not smother his burning lust and see
Delilah for who she really was—wicked and evil! Every time you view another
person with thoughts of lust, view lustful images, commit fornication and other
sexual sins, you are being deceived and defrauded into believing the lies of
the world