In Love...or in Lust?

We live in a world that encourages sin. Yes, let’s face that fact…even though it is a hard one to bear. We are taught – through movies, books, etc. – that killing is all right (and I don’t necessarily disagree with that – in all circumstances), committing adultery is all right, homosexuality is all right, abortion is all right. But in this article, I would like to look directly at what the world teaches us about lust…


The world teaches us that lust is okay. They may not say it as bluntly, but it is implied all over in our culture. From movies, to books, to posters, to magazines…and not only for men, but for women. No, there aren’t as many of the things listed above for women to lust over, but there is enough of them. And it doesn’t take a poster or a movie to make women think about men in a way that is unpleasing to God. It’s because women aren’t doing a good enough job on maintaining their emotional purity. Men are more visual and physical, while women are emotional and verbal.


One book that was a huge eye-opener to me on this subject, is one by Joshua Harris, called: ‘Sex Is Not The Problem [Lust Is]’. He really hits the nail on the head with that book, and I heartily recommend that you read it. He defines all the different forms of lust and honestly, I was convicted of a couple myself. It’s so easy to think-too-much-of-someone (a.k.a. lust), because this culture doesn’t help us put a stop to those thoughts. It encourages them. You may think that this one guy is really good-looking…and then the next day, you may wonder what he looks like with his shirt off. Nu-huh! Definitely going down the wrong road there.


I remember talking to a lady once, about a girl that she knew who had gotten pregnant out of wedlock. The lady was watching the girl’s child that day and I commented on the sweet boy’s face. She told me his parents’ story, and how the couple still wasn’t married. The mother of the boy had told my lady friend that she and her boyfriend wanted to get married soon, but they just didn’t know when. ‘I love him,’ the girl had told my friend. My friend told me that she had replied, ‘No, you’re not in love. You’re in lust.’ Ouch! I wonder how that statement hit that girl. I know I would’ve been like ‘Uhhhh…’


God created us to be attracted to each other. But He wouldn’t place someone in our lives without Him knowing that we are capable of holding back our feelings and emotions. When you find yourself thinking of someone too much, stop and pray. Ask the LORD to help you to think of things more worthwhile, and not be daydreaming over something that may never be. God will honor your desire and help you to maintain your purity. It’s so easy to lust, so find out if you are RIGHT NOW, before it can get too far.


‘Delight yourself in the LORD and He shall give you the desires of your heart.’
~Psalm 37:4


‘Do not awaken love…’
~Song of Solomon 8:4


‘For all that is of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but from the world.’
~1 John 1:16