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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: LUST (all-consuming desire; excessive craving) (01/08/15)
As a child I grew up hearing the phrase ‘love makes the world go ‘round’, then as an adult, it was no longer love but money. When we look at all that is happening on our planet today, I am sure we can all agree that it is no longer love or to some degree money but, rather the lust of the flesh - that craving for sensual gratification - that makes the world go ‘round. Mind you, money is running a close second and love, I think, has fallen into the abyss of obscurity.

Unless you live under a rock or you are a Buddhist monk living somewhere in a temple high up on a snow-clad mountain away from civilization and every imaginable vice, you will at some point in time have a face-off with lust. Everywhere we go the spirit of lust is in front of us, in our peripheral vision and just a few feet behind us, as we journey through life. We cannot escape its lure, therefore we must learn how to deal with it, how to wrestle it to the ground, how to plant our foot firmly on its neck and declare victory over lust.

I wanted to come up with an original acronymn/definition for the word ‘lust’ and this is what emerged from deep in the recesses of my frontal lobe. A...
Longing for something or someone above God that
Ultimately leads to
Sin, causing us to stagger through
Treacherous waters.

Someone from North America may call it cheesy; in my country one might say it’s corny. Frankly, I think it’s downright correct! (I chose this word just for you who have a ‘lust’ for alliteration).

Lust is a forbidden craving. It is an uncontrollable desire for something that will ultimately destroy you. Lust for money leads to criminal activity in order to obtain more; lust for food leads to obesity and a myriad of other illnesses; lust for power leads to doing unconscionable deeds to make it to the top; lust for a man/woman leads to unwanted pregnancy, STDs, demonic soul ties, pornography, fornication, adultery, homosexuality. Ultimately, the satisfying of one’s lust leads to death!

The word ‘lust’ has always had negative connotations; there seems to be nothing good about lust, because indulging in lust of any kind, more often than not, seems to spell doom. So can we turn this word into something positive? One definition of lust is ardent enthusiasm; zest. I’m sure you have all heard the expression ‘a lust for life’. Can having a lust for life be a bad thing? Can having a lust for ministry be considered ungodly? What about a lust for a career or a philanthropic cause? After all, these can result in good. But what if these things become an idol? Hmmm. We are admonished in 1 John 2:15 ‘not to love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love of the Father is not in him’. Verse 16 goes on to say what is in the world. ...’the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification], and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings for the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things] - these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]’. (AMP)

The Word of God is clear; if we sow to the flesh we will reap corruption, but if we sow to the spirit we will reap eternal life. Lust is borne from feeding our flesh with forbidden things. The key to defeating the spirit of lust is to deprive our flesh of what it wants, starve it if necessary, and feed our spirit with what it needs.

For the unbeliever, lust is not a problem. They march to the tune of their father, the devil, for lust is something that must be satisfied at all costs, regardless of the consequences. After all, the motto of the world is ‘if it feels good, do it’. Satan is the author of lust and his lust for power got him kicked out of heaven (way to go God!). But for the child of God, lust can spell unwanted temptation and a fight to the death with our flesh and for our soul - ultimately something has to die. It will either be your carnal nature or you - spiritually or physically. The choice is entirely up to you.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
01/15/15
Excellent job with the topic, well written. Great ending, loved the important wrap up!

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/19/15
I enjoyed this little essay on lust and how Satan uses it. You have a subtle sense of humor that made me smile. I can tell you have a personal relationship with God. The go God line made me smile.

I'd urge you to watch the change in your voice and try to be more consistent instead of switching from first person singular to second person, and back to first, but this time plural. In one line, you switched the voice in the middle. You could easily fix it like this; When I look at the happenings in today's world , I am sure that it is no the lust of the flesh - that craving for sensual gratification - will be the ultimate destroyer. I kept the voice in first person singular and tightened up some of the phrasing to help it be easier to understand.

I liked the Bible verse you used. It really backs up your message and makes the reader stop and think. That's always a good thing. You definitely nailed the topic. Good job.
C D Swanson 
01/22/15
Congrats,
God bless~