Lesson Five • Lust
Pastor Chuck Lindsey
“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. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30 (NKJV)
1. Do you remember something you really wanted as a child (Red Ryder BB gun)?
Lust is, by definition, always wrong. It is a wrong or sinful (often sexual) desire for something that is not ours. It is not ours, yet we want it. This is lust. In contrast, to desire what is ours is not wrong. A husband should desire his wife and a wife her husband. This is God’s design and it is not sinful. It is “the marriage bed… that is undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV). You cannot lust for what is rightfully yours. This is why it is “desire” and not “lust” when a husband desires his wife. It is right and not sinful.
2. What other things do people lust for?
3. What else could someone desire?
In dealing with sin, have you ever noticed that Jesus does not begin where we do? As people, we often begin with the “end” of something. What do I mean? Well, we say that it is murder when the actual deed is done. When anger has reached its final state and it results in the killing of another person, we call that murder. Jesus backs up, and starts at the beginning of the process and says that the beginning of murder is when there is anger in our hearts towards someone else. Again, we call it adultery when a husband or wife is physically intimate with someone other than their spouse. Jesus backs up and says that to look at another person with desire is the beginning of adultery. It has just not reached its culmination yet.
4. What other areas could be avoided if we first got to the root of the problem?
This is why He says what He says in verse 27, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” Do you see what I am saying? This is where people often start. However, Jesus says in verse 28, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Here Jesus focuses on the beginning and says that the process has already begun.
Now, in doing this, Jesus is telling us how dangerous these things really are. He is telling us to be careful with what we allow to “begin” to grow in our lives. Seeds planted, grow. Anger turns into murder over time and through cultivation. Anger, hurt, and unforgiveness eventually mature into hate and a desire for harm to come to the one we despise. Lust is the first seed of adultery. If given enough time and attention, adultery is where it leads. Therefore, Jesus is warning us to be careful over the beginning stages.
5. What are some practical ways to maintain a pure heart and mind?
6. What are some Bible verses that could help in the battle?
From there, Jesus tells us how to deal with these things. We must learn to pull up weeds quickly! He says in verses 29-30, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Pluck it out? Cut it off? Cast it away? These are really aggressive responses. That is the point! Jesus is telling us to deal with these things when they are small, early on, and to do it aggressively. It means that if we do not, things will begin to grow and get away from us before we know it.
7. How do we help children stop negative patterns?
8. How do we help children develop positive patterns?
I have always thought that lust should be seen in the same way that we see fire. It should be dealt with in the same way! We are careful with fire because it is so destructive! Fire in a fireplace is a good thing. It is a blessing and a great benefit to us. However, fire, even a little fire, on your carpet or couch is a very bad thing. It is highly destructive. If it is not dealt with quickly, aggressively, the whole house will burn down. Likewise, desire within marriage is a good thing. Like a warm fire in its fireplace. It is a blessing and a great benefit to both the husband and wife. However, lust (a desire for someone else) is like fire on your carpet! It must be dealt with quickly or it will burn everything to the ground.
9. How can lust burn someone’s life down?
It has been famously said, “Sin will cost you more than you wanted to spend, take you further than you wanted to go, and keep you longer than you wanted to stay.” As a pastor, I have found this to be tragically true. I have sat with so many people who thought that they could hold fire. One of them thought that they could control it. They thought that they could handle it, only to find that it burned them badly and their lives to the ground. Jesus’ warning here is to be quick to deal with sin!
10. How can you help someone who seems to be struggling with an aspect of lust?
Lastly, when thinking about things like this, it is always wise to ask, “Where will this end?” This is a good question to ask ourselves when we think about doing something. “Where will this end? Where will this take me? What is the end of this thing?” It is wise to ask such questions. However, so often as people, we do not do this and the result is tragic. We often evaluate things from what they look like at the beginning and not where they end up. We wonder, “What is a little anger?” Murder is the end of it. Some ask, “So my eyes wander a bit, what’s the big deal?” It is the beginning of adultery against your spouse.
11. What should one do who has fallen?
1. Do you remember something you really wanted as a child (Red Ryder BB gun)?
Lust is, by definition, always wrong. It is a wrong or sinful (often sexual) desire for something that is not ours. It is not ours, yet we want it. This is lust. In contrast, to desire what is ours is not wrong. A husband should desire his wife and a wife her husband. This is God’s design and it is not sinful. It is “the marriage bed… that is undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV). You cannot lust for what is rightfully yours. This is why it is “desire” and not “lust” when a husband desires his wife. It is right and not sinful.
2. What other things do people lust for?
3. What else could someone desire?
In dealing with sin, have you ever noticed that Jesus does not begin where we do? As people, we often begin with the “end” of something. What do I mean? Well, we say that it is murder when the actual deed is done. When anger has reached its final state and it results in the killing of another person, we call that murder. Jesus backs up, and starts at the beginning of the process and says that the beginning of murder is when there is anger in our hearts towards someone else. Again, we call it adultery when a husband or wife is physically intimate with someone other than their spouse. Jesus backs up and says that to look at another person with desire is the beginning of adultery. It has just not reached its culmination yet.
4. What other areas could be avoided if we first got to the root of the problem?
This is why He says what He says in verse 27, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” Do you see what I am saying? This is where people often start. However, Jesus says in verse 28, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Here Jesus focuses on the beginning and says that the process has already begun.
Now, in doing this, Jesus is telling us how dangerous these things really are. He is telling us to be careful with what we allow to “begin” to grow in our lives. Seeds planted, grow. Anger turns into murder over time and through cultivation. Anger, hurt, and unforgiveness eventually mature into hate and a desire for harm to come to the one we despise. Lust is the first seed of adultery. If given enough time and attention, adultery is where it leads. Therefore, Jesus is warning us to be careful over the beginning stages.
5. What are some practical ways to maintain a pure heart and mind?
6. What are some Bible verses that could help in the battle?
From there, Jesus tells us how to deal with these things. We must learn to pull up weeds quickly! He says in verses 29-30, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Pluck it out? Cut it off? Cast it away? These are really aggressive responses. That is the point! Jesus is telling us to deal with these things when they are small, early on, and to do it aggressively. It means that if we do not, things will begin to grow and get away from us before we know it.
7. How do we help children stop negative patterns?
8. How do we help children develop positive patterns?
I have always thought that lust should be seen in the same way that we see fire. It should be dealt with in the same way! We are careful with fire because it is so destructive! Fire in a fireplace is a good thing. It is a blessing and a great benefit to us. However, fire, even a little fire, on your carpet or couch is a very bad thing. It is highly destructive. If it is not dealt with quickly, aggressively, the whole house will burn down. Likewise, desire within marriage is a good thing. Like a warm fire in its fireplace. It is a blessing and a great benefit to both the husband and wife. However, lust (a desire for someone else) is like fire on your carpet! It must be dealt with quickly or it will burn everything to the ground.
9. How can lust burn someone’s life down?
It has been famously said, “Sin will cost you more than you wanted to spend, take you further than you wanted to go, and keep you longer than you wanted to stay.” As a pastor, I have found this to be tragically true. I have sat with so many people who thought that they could hold fire. One of them thought that they could control it. They thought that they could handle it, only to find that it burned them badly and their lives to the ground. Jesus’ warning here is to be quick to deal with sin!
10. How can you help someone who seems to be struggling with an aspect of lust?
Lastly, when thinking about things like this, it is always wise to ask, “Where will this end?” This is a good question to ask ourselves when we think about doing something. “Where will this end? Where will this take me? What is the end of this thing?” It is wise to ask such questions. However, so often as people, we do not do this and the result is tragic. We often evaluate things from what they look like at the beginning and not where they end up. We wonder, “What is a little anger?” Murder is the end of it. Some ask, “So my eyes wander a bit, what’s the big deal?” It is the beginning of adultery against your spouse.
11. What should one do who has fallen?
Lesson Five • Lust
Pastor Chuck Lindsey
“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. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30 (NKJV)
1. Do you remember something you really wanted as a child (Red Ryder BB gun)?
Lust is, by definition, always wrong. It is a wrong or sinful (often sexual) desire for something that is not ours. It is not ours, yet we want it. This is lust. In contrast, to desire what is ours is not wrong. A husband should desire his wife and a wife her husband. This is God’s design and it is not sinful. It is “the marriage bed… that is undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV). You cannot lust for what is rightfully yours. This is why it is “desire” and not “lust” when a husband desires his wife. It is right and not sinful.
2. What other things do people lust for?
3. What else could someone desire?
In dealing with sin, have you ever noticed that Jesus does not begin where we do? As people, we often begin with the “end” of something. What do I mean? Well, we say that it is murder when the actual deed is done. When anger has reached its final state and it results in the killing of another person, we call that murder. Jesus backs up, and starts at the beginning of the process and says that the beginning of murder is when there is anger in our hearts towards someone else. Again, we call it adultery when a husband or wife is physically intimate with someone other than their spouse. Jesus backs up and says that to look at another person with desire is the beginning of adultery. It has just not reached its culmination yet.
4. What other areas could be avoided if we first got to the root of the problem?
This is why He says what He says in verse 27, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” Do you see what I am saying? This is where people often start. However, Jesus says in verse 28, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Here Jesus focuses on the beginning and says that the process has already begun.
Now, in doing this, Jesus is telling us how dangerous these things really are. He is telling us to be careful with what we allow to “begin” to grow in our lives. Seeds planted, grow. Anger turns into murder over time and through cultivation. Anger, hurt, and unforgiveness eventually mature into hate and a desire for harm to come to the one we despise. Lust is the first seed of adultery. If given enough time and attention, adultery is where it leads. Therefore, Jesus is warning us to be careful over the beginning stages.
5. What are some practical ways to maintain a pure heart and mind?
6. What are some Bible verses that could help in the battle?
From there, Jesus tells us how to deal with these things. We must learn to pull up weeds quickly! He says in verses 29-30, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Pluck it out? Cut it off? Cast it away? These are really aggressive responses. That is the point! Jesus is telling us to deal with these things when they are small, early on, and to do it aggressively. It means that if we do not, things will begin to grow and get away from us before we know it.
7. How do we help children stop negative patterns?
8. How do we help children develop positive patterns?
I have always thought that lust should be seen in the same way that we see fire. It should be dealt with in the same way! We are careful with fire because it is so destructive! Fire in a fireplace is a good thing. It is a blessing and a great benefit to us. However, fire, even a little fire, on your carpet or couch is a very bad thing. It is highly destructive. If it is not dealt with quickly, aggressively, the whole house will burn down. Likewise, desire within marriage is a good thing. Like a warm fire in its fireplace. It is a blessing and a great benefit to both the husband and wife. However, lust (a desire for someone else) is like fire on your carpet! It must be dealt with quickly or it will burn everything to the ground.
9. How can lust burn someone’s life down?
It has been famously said, “Sin will cost you more than you wanted to spend, take you further than you wanted to go, and keep you longer than you wanted to stay.” As a pastor, I have found this to be tragically true. I have sat with so many people who thought that they could hold fire. One of them thought that they could control it. They thought that they could handle it, only to find that it burned them badly and their lives to the ground. Jesus’ warning here is to be quick to deal with sin!
10. How can you help someone who seems to be struggling with an aspect of lust?
Lastly, when thinking about things like this, it is always wise to ask, “Where will this end?” This is a good question to ask ourselves when we think about doing something. “Where will this end? Where will this take me? What is the end of this thing?” It is wise to ask such questions. However, so often as people, we do not do this and the result is tragic. We often evaluate things from what they look like at the beginning and not where they end up. We wonder, “What is a little anger?” Murder is the end of it. Some ask, “So my eyes wander a bit, what’s the big deal?” It is the beginning of adultery against your spouse.
11. What should one do who has fallen?
1. Do you remember something you really wanted as a child (Red Ryder BB gun)?
Lust is, by definition, always wrong. It is a wrong or sinful (often sexual) desire for something that is not ours. It is not ours, yet we want it. This is lust. In contrast, to desire what is ours is not wrong. A husband should desire his wife and a wife her husband. This is God’s design and it is not sinful. It is “the marriage bed… that is undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV). You cannot lust for what is rightfully yours. This is why it is “desire” and not “lust” when a husband desires his wife. It is right and not sinful.
2. What other things do people lust for?
3. What else could someone desire?
In dealing with sin, have you ever noticed that Jesus does not begin where we do? As people, we often begin with the “end” of something. What do I mean? Well, we say that it is murder when the actual deed is done. When anger has reached its final state and it results in the killing of another person, we call that murder. Jesus backs up, and starts at the beginning of the process and says that the beginning of murder is when there is anger in our hearts towards someone else. Again, we call it adultery when a husband or wife is physically intimate with someone other than their spouse. Jesus backs up and says that to look at another person with desire is the beginning of adultery. It has just not reached its culmination yet.
4. What other areas could be avoided if we first got to the root of the problem?
This is why He says what He says in verse 27, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” Do you see what I am saying? This is where people often start. However, Jesus says in verse 28, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Here Jesus focuses on the beginning and says that the process has already begun.
Now, in doing this, Jesus is telling us how dangerous these things really are. He is telling us to be careful with what we allow to “begin” to grow in our lives. Seeds planted, grow. Anger turns into murder over time and through cultivation. Anger, hurt, and unforgiveness eventually mature into hate and a desire for harm to come to the one we despise. Lust is the first seed of adultery. If given enough time and attention, adultery is where it leads. Therefore, Jesus is warning us to be careful over the beginning stages.
5. What are some practical ways to maintain a pure heart and mind?
6. What are some Bible verses that could help in the battle?
From there, Jesus tells us how to deal with these things. We must learn to pull up weeds quickly! He says in verses 29-30, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Pluck it out? Cut it off? Cast it away? These are really aggressive responses. That is the point! Jesus is telling us to deal with these things when they are small, early on, and to do it aggressively. It means that if we do not, things will begin to grow and get away from us before we know it.
7. How do we help children stop negative patterns?
8. How do we help children develop positive patterns?
I have always thought that lust should be seen in the same way that we see fire. It should be dealt with in the same way! We are careful with fire because it is so destructive! Fire in a fireplace is a good thing. It is a blessing and a great benefit to us. However, fire, even a little fire, on your carpet or couch is a very bad thing. It is highly destructive. If it is not dealt with quickly, aggressively, the whole house will burn down. Likewise, desire within marriage is a good thing. Like a warm fire in its fireplace. It is a blessing and a great benefit to both the husband and wife. However, lust (a desire for someone else) is like fire on your carpet! It must be dealt with quickly or it will burn everything to the ground.
9. How can lust burn someone’s life down?
It has been famously said, “Sin will cost you more than you wanted to spend, take you further than you wanted to go, and keep you longer than you wanted to stay.” As a pastor, I have found this to be tragically true. I have sat with so many people who thought that they could hold fire. One of them thought that they could control it. They thought that they could handle it, only to find that it burned them badly and their lives to the ground. Jesus’ warning here is to be quick to deal with sin!
10. How can you help someone who seems to be struggling with an aspect of lust?
Lastly, when thinking about things like this, it is always wise to ask, “Where will this end?” This is a good question to ask ourselves when we think about doing something. “Where will this end? Where will this take me? What is the end of this thing?” It is wise to ask such questions. However, so often as people, we do not do this and the result is tragic. We often evaluate things from what they look like at the beginning and not where they end up. We wonder, “What is a little anger?” Murder is the end of it. Some ask, “So my eyes wander a bit, what’s the big deal?” It is the beginning of adultery against your spouse.
11. What should one do who has fallen?