Fighting Lust with Lust (part 1)
A couple of weeks ago I preached a sermon in which I emphasized the deception and danger of lust. I regretted not being able to further develop the topic, specifically how to fight lust. Therefore in the next few days I will aim to think biblically about lust and how we as Christians are to deal with it.
So here I just want to briefly provide a bit of a biblical framework for lust, and then tomorrow look into the heart of lust and Thursday conclude with the answer to lust. The answer to lust may surprise some, but it is the answer and frankly the only answer to lust that ultimately works.
What is lust?
The word translated lust in the New Testament is epithumia. The word simply means ‘desire’. This desire can be good or bad; whether it is good or bad depends upon how it aligns with God’s revealed will.
For example, we do not understand a potential elder candidate to be in sin who is desiring (epithumia) to the work of an overseerer (1 Tim. 3.1). In this case the desire is a God-honoring desire therefore it is not a sinful lust.
On the other hand, we have the sin of lust. In our greed we crave or desire something that is not consistent with what God has revealed or provided. Simply put sinful lust is to desire something that we believe to be ‘good’ outside of what God has called good. It is to put our own will and pleasure above God’s.
This is seen quite clearly through the example of sexual lust. God has said that sex is to occur within the framework of marriage (between a male and a female). Therefore, any lustful craving to experience the intimate pleasures reserved for the marriage apart from this sacred institution is to pursue enjoyment apart from God’s clearly revealed will. When a man sits and quietly fixes his eyes and heart upon a woman (whether it be on a computer, television, photo, in person or in his imagination) and then begins to desire her sexually, this is sinful lust. The man has lustfully craved sexual satisfaction apart from divine sanction.
We pick an awful lot on men with this issue (and rightly so) but the truth is women struggle just as much with lust as men (we’ll cover this as we go).
Some biblical observations:
So with this basic introduction and framework of lust established, let’s make some biblical observations about lust.
>We understand from Scripture that sinful lust is as much a part of our unbelieving lives as breathing (Eph. 2.3; Tit. 3.3) and that it is not to be characteristic of the Christian life (1 Pet. 1.14; 2.11; 4.2-4)
>Jesus tells us that the nature of lust is demonic (John 8.44)
>The Bible reiterates that this lust is sourced in our own hearts and it fastens itself on stuff; people, things and other expressions of vain glory (Jam. 1.14-16)
>A desire for, a lust for stuff chokes out the gospel seed (Mar. 4.19)
>The lusts of the world are clear, succinct and doomed (1 John 2.16-17)
Lord willing, tomorrow we will consider the DNA of lust: the exchange of attributes.
Possibly Related posts:
- Fighting Lust with Lust (part 2)
- Fighting Lust with Lust (part 3)
- John Piper’s ANTHEM :: tools for fighting lust
- Q&A Friday: Who hardened Pharaoh’s heart….God or Pharaoh?
- Why and How did God ‘Harden’ Pharaoh’s Heart?
12 Responses to “Fighting Lust with Lust (part 1)”
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I epithumia to read more about this Erik. This is a topic that hits us all where we live. Thanks again.
[...] ——————– Workman’s Toolbox * Tomb of Herod the great found? * Speaking of Thabiti Anyabwile, he’s thanking God for CJ Mahaney. *Mohler vs Piper on Singleness * Tim Challies is live blogging the Basics Conference, including Voddie Baucham’s session on Preaching to Postmoderns. * Every pastor is called to be a Theologian * Fighting lust with lust? [...]
Erik,
Here is a couple of other thoughts to bring into this discussion. If you look at Colossians 3:5, notice the order of these sins “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
#1. “passion” = pathos (greek) which is found only in Rom. 1:26 & 1 Th. 4:5 as being used negatively. It is paired with the other word that you had brought up in discussion epithumia (evil desire), i believe, to clue us into the negative side of lust!
#2. “immorality & impurity” are sexual sins in this context (and in a majority of their uses)
#3. We have a movement from the outward actions of sin to the inward attitudes and desires of sin.
#4. Therefore, we don’t stop at lust in this passage but we go back to “greed” as the place all these sins are flowing out of!
#5. If greed is the starting point of all these sins (which I believe you can prove strongly from the Word), then how does this fit into the discussion?
I have some ideas about how greed is at work and how greed is associated with lust. But, I would rather have you kick it around to see where you are going in this theological topic. Look forward to seeing where you are headed and how you understand the scriptures fit in the sin of greed with lust.
In Christ,
Steve
Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Thanks Steve…you are a couple of steps ahead of me 8-D
Great series!
Hey Erik, I’ve been reading for awhile and enjoying your posts. I’m always very encouraged. Anyway, I appreciate so much that you are addressing that women deal with this too. I am one such woman. What’s more, God and I have been having a bit of a chat about this issue in my life lately… so these posts are aptly timed. Thank you.
Glad this has been helpful. My wife has been very helpful in explaining and illustrating how women struggle with lust…it is so different then men…but then very similar (1 Jn.2.16-17)
[...] From Part 1- The word translated lust in the New Testament is epithumia. The word simply means ‘desire’. This desire can be good or bad; whether it is good or bad depends upon how it aligns with God’s revealed will. Simply put sinful lust is to desire something that we believe to be ‘good’ outside of what God has called good. It is to put our own will and pleasure above God’s. [...]
[...] -Part I [...]
hello!
thanks very much for your posts!!
I need to research on the ‘problem’ of lust in christianity and the church specific, it really helps me understand.
gemmeke
This is really great. I have been dealing with lust(sexaul, mental) for a long time and im not really sure how to fight it. Thanks so much!
Be Blessed!