Desire is often hard to resist…isn’t it? Jesus’ own avoidance of temptation serves as a biblical lesson to us. After having fasted for 40 days, he was tempted by Satan. Satan challenged Christ to use his position as God’s Son to justify the creation of bread from stones. Jesus, however, was resolute in the face of this temptation:
Matthew 4:4 KJV
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
We mortals are especially subject to Satan’s lures. One of the strongest temptations we face is that of a sexual nature. One can hardly walk down the street these days without coming across a multitude of scantily clad young women. We are bombarded by commercials promoting weight loss. The presenters of these sales pitches are always young, tan and in perfect physical condition (according to this world’s standards). We find ourselves gazing lustfully at these tempting bodies then quickly (perhaps) looking away with a hint of shame. Jesus had a stern warning against the enticement of lust:
Matthew 5:28 KJV
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
For some, that familiar craving of the flesh leads directly to physical adultery. This desire often starts with a gentle nudge in the direction of that sin. “One look at that sexy coworker won’t hurt”, whispers Satan. “It’s not like you’re sleeping with her”. Soon, that denial is put aside. All manner of deceptions is soon created, as is shame. Broken relationships follow.
Jesus had another strong statement regarding lust. He told us if our eye offends us we should “pluck it out”. Now this wasn’t meant to be a literal action, Jesus would never want us to hurt ourselves. He taught that it is preferable to suffer physical pain than spiritual anguish.
One’s body is to be treated as a sacred gift from God. When lust enters our hearts, we see others as merely bodies designed to quench our desires. We disregard the true value of their soul.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
-Melanie DiLeo
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