7 Minute Read

Be Still

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Today’s Bible Reading:

Job 31:1–33:33
2 Corinthians 3:1-18
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 22:8-9

Listen to the Lord

Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Job 31:11-12 (NLT): “For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.”

Reflections from Scripture:

In Job 31:11-12, Job finishes his communication with his three “friends” by saying that he was innocent of lust. It had been assumed that since his life had fallen apart, there must be sin in his life, so he felt compelled to proclaim his innocence.

What we should notice is what Job said about lust. (He’s not talking about adultery which is the actual act of sexual sin. He’s talking about lust which is the sexual sin inside our minds and hearts when we allow ourselves to be aroused by someone other than our spouse.)

Job calls lust “a shameful sin” and “a crime that should be punished.” He is certainly not indifferent to it. On the contrary, he acknowledges that it is a grave sin and should have consequences.

Why?

Because even though lust is hidden in the privacy of our minds and hearts, it is deadly toxic. It is a consuming fire that is never satisfied and will work toward the destruction of the one engaged in it.

If lust is a sin problem for you, ask God to rid you of it. Then, take the necessary steps to eradicate it from your life. Here are just a few ideas:

  • All televisions hooked up to cable, the internet, or any other outside source must remain in public places in your home. Take away the opportunity to view objectionable material in privacy (for instance, no TV’s in bedrooms).
  • Computers and mobile devices should also be accessed in a public area where others can easily see what sites are being viewed.
  • Parents, periodically check the history of your children’s phones. 
  • Adults, realize that you are not above temptation. Our family uses Covenant Eyes, and it logs everything we do on our computers and mobile device.
  • To be even more transparent, I have made it a personal policy not to wear sunglasses when my family goes to the beach. Why? Because I want my wife and son(s) to easily see what I’m looking at. I want to be accountable.

On and on this list could go. But you get the idea. Lust is a temptation to most warm-blooded people, so we must take away the opportunity for such a deadly sin. 

Spend Time in Prayer

Lord Jesus, You watch my actions and listen to my words. Yet, You also look at the thoughts of my mind and heart. You observe what I look at and what I’m thinking about. Help me, Lord, not to simply appear holy to those who watch. Help me genuinely pursue holiness in my mind and heart, the places only You and I can see. I realize this is so important because I will tend to behave and speak in ways consistent with what’s going on in the privacy of my mind. I pray this in the Name of the only One who can help me increase in holiness. Amen.

Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Photo by Cody Doherty on Unsplash
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