Lust: Part Two
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. -1 Corinthians 6:17,18
Although it is very clear in the Bible that men are to take a leadership role when it comes to matters of faith, women play an equally important part. While men are called to be leaders, we need women to support us and help keep us on the straight and narrow path of righteousness.
Generally, when it comes to the opposite sex, men say, do and try to do stupid things. We sin not only against the Father with our lustful thoughts, words, and actions, but also against you. We say we can’t help it, but we can. We just have to step up and take that leadership role Christ calls us to. He leaves it up to us to make that decision: it’s the decision to pass up the earthly pleasure, for the Righteously Heavenly one. As faithful leaders, men are compelled to make decisions that call on them to sacrifice selfish pleasures.
Women must also make such decisions.
Women show their affections and flirtations in a different manner than men. Over-reassuring words, light touches, little gifts like cookies and candy, and that special ability every woman has of giving one of those looks that could drive a man insane for days, weeks and months: The wink of the eye, the biting of a lip, the playful toss of hair. These are what most of us call “harmless” flirtation but they are definitely more than harmless.
There’s simply no getting around it: All of these things lead to sexual temptation and evil subconscious thoughts. Remember, it takes two to tango. There has to be two bodies there, two lips, two of everything. Sisters, if a guy is talking in a manner that is slightly or more than slightly demeaning to you or makes you feel uncomfortable, say something! Although men are called to be the leaders, we are also to be servants to women, as Christ was to the church. So this Christian brother of yours should take a step back and listen to you. It’s his job!
Ask yourself this: Why is the subject of lust and temptation rarely spoken about publicly among Christians? Why is this subject, a subject that every single Christian man and woman deals with, be it through unfaithfulness, sexual promiscuity, pornography, or one of the other countless worldly forms it takes on, rarely addressed from the pulpit or in Christian circles? We are letting the devil win by allowing our shame to keep us from opening ourselves to the honesty and faithfulness that is required of us when we ask for forgiveness. We can’t begin to overcome the world, without overcoming our shame first. Shame is just another tool of the devil to thwart us on our path of righteousness.
If you’ve been knocked down, ask for forgiveness and get back up. Don’t think you’re alone in your sin and don’t let your shame defeat you. I sin every day, but I lay my sins at the feet of Christ and He sees fit to bless me with His wondrous Grace. I sinned today. I’ll probably sin tomorrow. I still trip, and stumble. And so do you. But that’s okay. Do not be ashamed. Do not let the devil embarrass, belittle, or shame you into submission.
Encourage one another daily. It is through encouragement, support, and fellowship that we can together, men and women, overcome the temptations of the world.
Men, I encourage and pray that you shall take your proper role as leader in Christ and treat your Sisters as just that, your sisters in Christ. Women, I pray that you too shall overcome your troubles, whatever they may be, with the temptations that Satan has sent you in the form of lust. I pray too that you shall encourage and help your Brothers.
Do not let sin be your master. You were saved through grace and forgiven by God. Flee from sexual immorality.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. -Romans 6:14
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