LUST: IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW YOU USE THE LETTERS PART 1

Let me start off by saying it’s good to be back. I have been under attack by the enemy. It hasn’t been easy but God has gotten me through. Last time we concluded the study of Solomon for the time being. I hope it blessed you enough to apply what you have learned into your life. God has now switched me toward an epidemic that’s happening. It seems like every day the media is talking about it. The epidemic is called lust of the sexual type. Today we are going to look at definition of lust.

Every time you turn on the news you hear about sexual lust. From coaches, athletes, politicians, teachers, people in ministry even a former president, it has touched all walks of life. To understand better what we are dealing with, let’s get a definition of lust. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary “lust is an intense or unbridled sexual desire. To have an intense desire or need; crave specifically to have a sexual urge.” Lust is the works of the devil. It usually doesn’t come on at once. It works slowly into your spirit were you may not notice how much damage it’s causing. You will say to yourself “I was just joking or it’s not causing any harm. All we are doing is having a conversation. We just had a business lunch. I can control it.” We all kid around with people and have fun. We all are going to interact with people. This is to be expected. God wants you to enjoy life and he understands we interact with one another. However, you have to be aware of your behavior and when the enemy is trying to sneak in. Always remember the enemy is more crafty then any beast in the field. A lot of times you can start off innocent. You had no intent in trying to get with this person in a lustful kind of way. We say it just happened. There’s always a beginning or spark that lights this fire. Make sure you put it out before the fire gets out of control. What is the God You Said Verse of Today?

Here’s how the bible defines lust. In Job 31:11 & 12 NLT it states “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.” This is a very powerful and direct message. God is saying lust is a sin. It’s a crime and shameful. You can also expect some type of punishment to be administered. Look some of the headlines for proof now and in the past. Penn State University and the Sandusky case.  School teachers having a lustful relationship with a younger students. Priest being accused of sexual abuse.  The trial that went on in Atlanta about someone being shot at a daycare because of lust. The person who committed the lustful act is put to shame. They are exposed along with everyone who’s associated with them. Depending on the circumstances it can be a crime. Once prosecuted, you will be punished for the lustful act. You may not be prosecuted by the judicial system but you will by someone. Your life as you knew it will be severely damaged before you go to the court room. Even if your found innocent, in most cases your life will never be the same. You could lose your freedom, your spouse, family, friends, reputation and it goes on and on. Lust is fire that consumes and destroys. It can wipe out everything you own. Your finances, property your career etc… You will be in hell on earth. You can’t control it. It’s not meant to be controlled. If you’re committing a lustful act with anyone this is your wake up call. You need to stop now and pray. If needed, seek professional help with this problem. If you see someone doing a lustful act with someone, you need to report it. We need to pray for the victim of the lustful act. It’s a long road to recovery for the victims. We will continue to study lust to get a better understanding on what it is. Also, I’m going to use the letters in lust to form phrases. Here’s your phrase for today.

L-leads       

U-u       

T-to       

S-shame      

 

 

L-leads

U-u

T-to

S-sin

I got so much that God has put on my mind about what’s under attack in our walk with him. I know I will be talking about lust again but I don’t know exactly when. So next time, I will talk about wherever God guides me to. Until then, may God continue to bless you and keep you.

 

Walt GP

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 7

Last time we continue to talk about the fall of Solomon. The results of his disobedience were he had part of his kingdom torn away. However, God tore part of his kingdom away from his son instead of Solomon himself. Solomon’s son inherited some of the punishment for his father’s disobedience. Today, we’ll see the other results of Solomon’s disobedience.

Let’s review and go back to 1 Chronicles 22:9 New International Version. It states “But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.” However, since Solomon started worshipping other Gods, this was no longer the case. In 1 King 11:14 New International Version it states “Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom.” This was the first adversary that God raised up against Solomon. The second adversary came in 1 King 11:23 New International Version. It states “And God raised up against Solomon another adversary, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.” In 1 King 11:25 New International Version it states “Rezon was Israel’s adversary as long as Solomon lived, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled in Aram and was hostile toward Israel. According to the Merriam-Webster one of the synonyms for adversary is the word enemy. God allowed these enemies to cause trouble with Solomon. Also, Solomon no longer had peace and rest from his enemies.

What’s the God U Said It Verse of the day? Let’s look at Job 12:13 New International Version. It states “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” This is what God gave to Solomon. In most people views, Solomon had it all. God gave him wisdom, power, knowledge, wealth and respect. However, because he took his attention away from God, he began to go down the wrong path. Does this sound familiar even today? How many times have you heard about people having it all only to lose it in the end? You have to keep your focus on God. Be obedient and continue to build a strong relationship with God. God will protect you from your adversaries. There are many distractions and situations that will ruin you if you’re not careful.

This concludes our study of Solomon for now. I hope you got a better understanding on who was the main author of Proverbs was. Solomon has left us with his timeless wisdom and knowledge from God. There’s a great deal that we can learn from Solomon and Proverbs. Next time we are going to start studying about the epidemic that’s happening that needs to be addressed. Until then may God continue to bless you and keep you.

Walt G.