Men: What is Lust ?

Adultery of The Heart

Matthew 5:27-28 (NKJV)

You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Shalom To All My Friends and Family,

I wanted to share some things I have learned is aimed more towards men however does not exclude the women. This letter is not going to be very long but more just some bits and pieces put together.

This is something that I have wondered in my heart and mind over time. However, I returned to obedience in Yeshua Ha-Mashiach (Jesus Christ) and have been asked about by other friends who were men and coworkers about this issue and scripture.

One thing that the world is pushing towards us, in our hearts and minds, is to want more and more stuff that leads to immoral lifestyles. Everywhere you turn, we are being bombarded with magazines, movies, television, theaters, newspapers, and radio with every form of communication of what our lifestyle should look like to be happy. A major portion of this is also sexually driven: to be that guy or stud that is muscular, popular, or rich to attract and conquer whatever it is that drives that sexual desire.

So the question I have asked myself and have asked by others is; what is Lust and how do I not fall into sin of it?

So here is a standard definition of lust

lust noun \ˈləst\

: a strong feeling of sexual desire

: a strong desire for something

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lust

I read a commentary about what lust is and it is outside of this standard definition but I use it for my own definition:

Lust is wanting and yearning for something that is not allowed by the Father YHVH. 
Off limits of a sort or not appreciating the things you do have.

What I've learned about lust in my spiritual walk in Christ is this; when we allow our eyes and then our hearts  to yearn for desires of this world, that only lead to temporary satisfaction of pleasure, it becomes a way of life to us, to adapt and change our character so that we become that which it is. Meaning, we become what it is and it becomes us.

In  the past, I have allowed myself to become a person of lust by sexual pleasures with women. It controlled my innermost being and thoughts. In the end it did nothing but destroy me and cause damage to the women I was involved with. It was selfish and harsh. It ate away at my thoughts and my body; I was always seeking someone else and something more. This in turn is Idolatry! Jesus tells us to beware of these things. Job gave us a good view into his mind and heart in the scripture below, which I use as a definition of sorts as to what Jesus was stating.

Iyov - Job 31:1

I made a covenant with my eyes, and why should I gaze upon a virgin?

א. בְּרִית כָּרַתִּי לְעֵינָי וּמָה אֶתְבּוֹנֵן עַל בְּתוּלָה:

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) commentary on this passage:(1040-1105 C.E.)

"I made a covenant with my eyes; not to gaze upon a married woman. Andwhy should I gaze upon a virgin? Why should I gaze upon her? Such was Job's piety, not to lay an eye or even on an unmarried woman. He would say; "Perhaps after a time, she will be married, and I will find myself attracted to her."

http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16433#showrashi=true&v=1

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/rashi.html

So, you see in the passage of Job with Rashi’s commentary, it is believed and understood that Job was clear in heart and mind not to sin, and that only YHVH would be able to examine. This is the same expectation for us. However, much more sin abounds today (even more so then during the time of the oldest book in the bible), but this is how it has been defeated by YHVH’s divine grace: Yeshua Ha-Mashiach (Jesus Christ) defeated sin on the cross at Calvary. So therefore, we don’t have to do it alone. And we no longer have to bring our sorrows to the alter only once a year (as in the old testament). The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that we don’t wrestle against  flesh and blood, but against the rulers of darkness, and against wicked things in high places.

http://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-12.htm

These scriptures are a understanding of what is going on and how we are able to fight against these issues. I always tell people that the bible is a manual to life if used properly. So we can live properly before our father in heaven, and so we can also pray properly and cut through the wicked things in high places! This is very important!

I hope this letter to you is helpful and may the Shalom of the Father YHVH and His Son Yeshua Ha-Mashiach be upon you!

Please see the link to obtain salvation if you are wanting to know how to obtain salvation, it will be the best decision of your life. Time is short and now is the time to make that decision. We are also charged to pray for each other and to encourage one another as iron sharpens iron. If you would like to talk or would are in need of prayer, please feel free to call or email me at the contact information provided below.

Also, if you are in need of a bible, please let me know and I send one to you free of charge!

Ministry Update: I will be starting a men’s bible study group that is due to take place on Shabbat (Saturday mornings). Please stay tuned for more details on this.

Shalom

Isaac Grebin

Email Me: kakdad1@gmail.com
(305) 525-1928