A Very Short Treatise on Lust
I was soaking my kidneys and praying. Yes, I pray in the bathtub, I also pray on the toilet and many other places which probably will offend some sensibilities. God doesn't mind. As a matter-of-fact, He likes it. He sometimes thinks it is funny that He gives me some of my best ideas in places and during situations that many would find quite awkward. I digress. Here is a little something that I believe has been revealed to me by God through his Holy Spirit who dwells within me.
When Corinne and I first were married we had a small debate on which was the first sin. She said selfishness and I said pride. I have come to learn that pride and selfishness are 2 sides of the same coin. From that sin sprung lust. Most of us think that lust refers to sexual feelings but that is only a part. Lust is the strong and often overwhelming desire to possess and or control that which does not belong to you or that, over which, you have no authority.
OK. So since it is the first to arrive in your thoughts, let's talk about sexual lust. Men are more prone to it but women are not immune. Western economic advertisement is driven by it. No one can argue that. Women are told they need to look desirable at all costs and men are convinced that only woman that appear that way are desirable. They are also convinced that they can and should have their pick. Men start to become discontent with their wives and begin to start to desire the fantasy. Their desire to control, dominate and possess (ie lust), drives them to seek satisfaction elsewhere. You know the score. Prostitution, mistresses, and now the ever present and easily available pornography. Not just married man. Single man of all ages too. They seek to have what they cannot and should not. So I guess this makes you ask how do I know? Yeah. I am ashamed to say that I have not been immune to it. The Bible says that man should desire only his wife in both an emotional and physical way. Many men, myself included, use this as an excuse to lust after their wives. This may seem odd because whom else should he lust after? There's the rub. It was not the biblical, God created plan for a man to love his wife emotionally, serving, and yes physically; therefore, the answer is no one. I needed God to show me that what I wanted was control, what I wanted was my wife to be someone whom she isn't. It had nothing to do with intimacy and everything to do with lust. I just tried to "God sanction" it. If you are a guy reading this, be careful not to fall into that trap. I could go on and may go o in other posts but I did say this was to be a short treatise.
Another form of lust is that of the lust for power. It comes in all sizes and shapes. From the tyrannical despots like Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, etc. to the guy who beats his wife or children. This type of lust is in no way limited to men either. There are plenty of women who have abused their husbands, children, elderly parents etc. Why? Because lust to control others overwhelms them. When they feel hat the control is being threatened in any way they lash out on others. Almost always, those weaker than them or those they perceive to be weaker. Holding power over them gives them a false sense of control. Bullies one and all. We as humans, are extremely susceptible to this form. If you don't agree just look at our history. Not just governmental history, but cultural history. Asian women are not more desirable to men because they are any more beautiful than other women from different cultures. They are desired because of the submissiveness that their cultural has trained into them. So men desire to have women they can control at their beck and call. Cougars don't desire younger men because of sexual peak and all that blather, they desire them because they can control them. Even Rod Stewart, forgive me for using him as an example, knew that. Listen to the song Maggie if you don't believe it.
Greed is also a form of lust. Lust for material gain. Lust for monetary gain. Usually this has been attributed to the wealthy and rightly so, although some of the most generous people I have known were wealthy. The poor and destitute fall victim to lust too. Ghetto folk prey upon their own. Why? Because they are weaker and can be controlled.
Mafias, Tong, Yakuza, these criminals are up to their eyes in every form of lust there is!
I have thought about, prayed about, anguished about understanding, realizing and overcoming lust in all oits forms. I battle it regularly and when I am in the light I recognize it for what it truly is. I hope God will help you to see this too.
When Corinne and I first were married we had a small debate on which was the first sin. She said selfishness and I said pride. I have come to learn that pride and selfishness are 2 sides of the same coin. From that sin sprung lust. Most of us think that lust refers to sexual feelings but that is only a part. Lust is the strong and often overwhelming desire to possess and or control that which does not belong to you or that, over which, you have no authority.
OK. So since it is the first to arrive in your thoughts, let's talk about sexual lust. Men are more prone to it but women are not immune. Western economic advertisement is driven by it. No one can argue that. Women are told they need to look desirable at all costs and men are convinced that only woman that appear that way are desirable. They are also convinced that they can and should have their pick. Men start to become discontent with their wives and begin to start to desire the fantasy. Their desire to control, dominate and possess (ie lust), drives them to seek satisfaction elsewhere. You know the score. Prostitution, mistresses, and now the ever present and easily available pornography. Not just married man. Single man of all ages too. They seek to have what they cannot and should not. So I guess this makes you ask how do I know? Yeah. I am ashamed to say that I have not been immune to it. The Bible says that man should desire only his wife in both an emotional and physical way. Many men, myself included, use this as an excuse to lust after their wives. This may seem odd because whom else should he lust after? There's the rub. It was not the biblical, God created plan for a man to love his wife emotionally, serving, and yes physically; therefore, the answer is no one. I needed God to show me that what I wanted was control, what I wanted was my wife to be someone whom she isn't. It had nothing to do with intimacy and everything to do with lust. I just tried to "God sanction" it. If you are a guy reading this, be careful not to fall into that trap. I could go on and may go o in other posts but I did say this was to be a short treatise.
Another form of lust is that of the lust for power. It comes in all sizes and shapes. From the tyrannical despots like Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, etc. to the guy who beats his wife or children. This type of lust is in no way limited to men either. There are plenty of women who have abused their husbands, children, elderly parents etc. Why? Because lust to control others overwhelms them. When they feel hat the control is being threatened in any way they lash out on others. Almost always, those weaker than them or those they perceive to be weaker. Holding power over them gives them a false sense of control. Bullies one and all. We as humans, are extremely susceptible to this form. If you don't agree just look at our history. Not just governmental history, but cultural history. Asian women are not more desirable to men because they are any more beautiful than other women from different cultures. They are desired because of the submissiveness that their cultural has trained into them. So men desire to have women they can control at their beck and call. Cougars don't desire younger men because of sexual peak and all that blather, they desire them because they can control them. Even Rod Stewart, forgive me for using him as an example, knew that. Listen to the song Maggie if you don't believe it.
Greed is also a form of lust. Lust for material gain. Lust for monetary gain. Usually this has been attributed to the wealthy and rightly so, although some of the most generous people I have known were wealthy. The poor and destitute fall victim to lust too. Ghetto folk prey upon their own. Why? Because they are weaker and can be controlled.
Mafias, Tong, Yakuza, these criminals are up to their eyes in every form of lust there is!
I have thought about, prayed about, anguished about understanding, realizing and overcoming lust in all oits forms. I battle it regularly and when I am in the light I recognize it for what it truly is. I hope God will help you to see this too.
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