October 14 | Overcoming Sexual Sin

Series | The Overcoming Life

Scripture | Matthew 5:28, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Lesson 14 | Sexual Sin, “I Struggle With Lust”

Jesus was very clear in regards to lust and perversion of the heart- He said it was likened to the sin of “adultery.”  He also stated in Mark 7:21-23 that the heart is the source of all sin, “21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Consequently, the heart of lust is no different than the heart of greed or arrogance.  All sins have their roots in the heart (i.e., “the mind of man”).  Think of sin this way, first it starts with the root in the heart then it results in the fruit of one’s life.  So if you want to change the fruit in your life, you have to first change the root.

In other words, if you want to be free from lust and adultery of the heart you have to change what is in your heart.   The good news ('gospel') is God promised that all who believe in Jesus would receive a new heart.  Ezekiel recorded the following promise from God in Ezekiel 36:26-27, “26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

As a result the solution to a perverted heart is to receive a new heart filled with the Holy Spirit that will “move you to follow” all of God’s commands.  And if perverted thoughts try invade your heart and pollute your precious new life ask the Holy Spirit to “led you not into temptation but deliver you from evil.”  Then if you happen to sin and lose the battle of the mind, quickly repent and ask God to cleanse your heart and make it pure again, Psalm 51:7-12.

If you struggle with lust pray this out loud, “Jesus, forgive me of my sins and grant me a clean heart.  Please fill me and guide me by your Spirit to live a life pleasing you with my thoughts and deeds. Amen.”

   

Reflection | Do you struggle with lust?

Action | (1) Repent for the times you have lusted in your heart. (2) Pray and ask God to give you a clean heart. (3) Lastly, be filled and led by the Holy Spirit to avoid evil and have a pure mind, Philippians 4:8.  Remember, you we’re given the mind of Christ at salvation and His mind is always pure, 1 Corinthians 2:16!  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Jeremiah 23:21-25:38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17, Psalm 84:1-12, & Proverbs 25:15. Click here to read online.