 | "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts," |
…stop living like you used to live; stop talking like you used to talk; stop following the negative and destructive patterns of your former life… These things corrupt our lives and world, even though they give us a false “feel good,” “feel right” feeling.
This week’s verse is pretty clear, but I really want to highlight the very last statement “the deceitful lusts…”
Lust is a strong desire or craving, especially for something that is forbidden. Sounds pretty wrong, right? Doesn't always feel wrong at the time though. Most of us can, at this very moment, think of something in our lives that we crave or desire strongly. Even some forbidden things. And with that image, we can almost taste the pleasure that comes with satisfying that craving. At the moment of satisfaction, you can’t imagine that eating those ribs could possibly turn out as bad as the doctor said when she told you that eating saturated fat will kill you. But that satisfaction is total deception! And so is the case with most forms of lust.
Lust is more than anything else, deceitful. Giving in to cravings rarely have positive results; even on a simple level. That ice cream scoop every day is just the amount of sugar it takes to create greater and longer cravings, pile on the pounds, and tear down the immune system.
And so is the case with the lusts we embraced and followed in our former lifestyle. The lifestyle of the world tells us to “do what feels good;” the Bible tells us to do what is good for others. Of course this doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. “Fun” only become dangerous when is an addiction, and begins to interfere with doing what is right (work, family and home responsibilities, making good decisions, etc.), or is harmful to others (hazing, bullying, etc.).
Here are a few good rules to live by:
May we not live life based on our cravings or desires, but by Love, Truth, and the power of a changed life!
Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~
This week’s verse is pretty clear, but I really want to highlight the very last statement “the deceitful lusts…”
Lust is a strong desire or craving, especially for something that is forbidden. Sounds pretty wrong, right? Doesn't always feel wrong at the time though. Most of us can, at this very moment, think of something in our lives that we crave or desire strongly. Even some forbidden things. And with that image, we can almost taste the pleasure that comes with satisfying that craving. At the moment of satisfaction, you can’t imagine that eating those ribs could possibly turn out as bad as the doctor said when she told you that eating saturated fat will kill you. But that satisfaction is total deception! And so is the case with most forms of lust.
Lust is more than anything else, deceitful. Giving in to cravings rarely have positive results; even on a simple level. That ice cream scoop every day is just the amount of sugar it takes to create greater and longer cravings, pile on the pounds, and tear down the immune system.
And so is the case with the lusts we embraced and followed in our former lifestyle. The lifestyle of the world tells us to “do what feels good;” the Bible tells us to do what is good for others. Of course this doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. “Fun” only become dangerous when is an addiction, and begins to interfere with doing what is right (work, family and home responsibilities, making good decisions, etc.), or is harmful to others (hazing, bullying, etc.).
Here are a few good rules to live by:
- Work to create a life, let your life serve others, and have fun in the process. See the progression? Work. Serve. Fun.
- If you feel you “have to have it,” pray about giving it up completely. If it is a harmful habit, ask God for His grace to help you let it go.
- If there is a sinful behavior in your life that you are craving and addicted to, there is MUCH help if you truly want to be free. Below are some Biblically grounded ways for you to seek freedom from sin.
- Resist temptation: This is the starting ground. Jesus resisted temptation, and His followers are required to do so as well. We never grow stronger in our walk with God by being pushovers where temptation is concerned. (1 Cor. 10:13, James 4:7, Gal. 5:16, Heb. 2:18, just to list a few verses)
- Don’t do it alone: Pray diligently about going to a church counselor or seeking a trustworthy and spiritually strong accountability partner. These should be Spirit-filled individuals who are not weak with gossip or a critical spirit, and have the gift of Mercy and boldness to speak the Truth in Love. (James 5:16, Prov. 15:22, Prov. 11:14)
- Reject pride and get serious help: There is a great Christian program for those who have very difficult and long term “hurts, habits, and hang-ups” (which we all do), that they simply can’t overcome alone. Learn more about this program at : www.celebraterecovery.com, and find a location in your area. God will abundantly honor those who are humble, serious, and diligent enough to go this route and follow the process. (Same verses as above)
May we not live life based on our cravings or desires, but by Love, Truth, and the power of a changed life!
Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~
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