Lust – a passionate or overmastering desire or craving. 

I am currently doing a juicing fast, where I have surrendered my beloved companion, coffee, and all other food. I am only drinking water, hot tea(decaf), and juice made from fruits and vegetables. My main goal in this juice it to cleanse my body, and in doing so hopefully acquiring a taste for healthier food. Let’s just say, my first choice isn’t always a veggie. =)

With the absence of food prep and eating, I found a lot of time on my hands, much of which I’m trying to chose to spend with the Lord. It was in one of these sweet, tender times, I started thinking about lust in general.

The definition above talk about this craving and/or desire that is overmastering. I have been realizing that this applies to ANYTHING we want and we can’t have. ANYTHING we want and can’t afford. ANYTHING we want and is bad for us. ANYTHING we want which is outside of God’s will for our lives.

Thinking of food right now, I can clearly see how I have lusted after cupcakes, ice cream,and chocolate in general. I have had desires for these things often, and given into them. Here is the funny thing, once you are eating that cupcake, it tastes good, but only for a minute. The satisfaction is only temporary, however the results are permanent. My weight has continued to increase because I simply chose to give into temptation, instead of operating in self-control. 

That is simply one example. Let’s talk about others. How about extra-marital affairs? Sure, it seems like someone new is soooo much better, but it’s always like the cupcake. The satisfaction from that person will only be temporary but the consequences permanent. A similar scenario is a shopping addiction, which most of us call ‘Retail Therapy’. It may feel good in the moment, but then we have debt, or too much stuff, or not enough money to give and help others or maybe even to pay our bills. 

So, I’ve been asking the Lord why this is stirring in my spirit, and here is what I believe He wants to put fresh in our hearts. In His Word, He gives us ways to live that bring life to our souls and to others. He also shares warning as to what we need to stay far from because those thing breed death to our souls and to others. He also clearly states that in EVERY temptation He has already provided a way out. We need to remember, that for those of us in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, and one fruit of His presence in our lives is self-control. Any aspect of our lives where we need more of it, we just need to ask. His word says, if you ask according to His will, you will receive. 

If you are struggling with any of the specific areas I have mentioned above, please know I am praying specifically for you. There are many other areas where many of us deal with lust. Please please please remember, no matter how good that ‘forbidden fruit’ looks now, once you indulge your flesh you may feel some satisfaction, but the consequences will far outweigh the pleasure. It will not end well. Please choose to turn to the Lord, ask Him where He is, ask Him to deliver you. Get in His Word. Get to know Him. He has overcome this world! There is NOTHING too hard for Him. Please remember that the reason He gave us guidelines to live by is because He loves us. He is for you!