“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jas 1:14-15).
James teaches us about the nature of lust. Fundamentally, serves as a stepping stone to other sins. It entices like fish bait. This could be called a breeder sin, as it gives birth to sin.
This sin targets two main areas of our lives: the lusts of the flesh and the lusts of the eyes. Consider King David. “Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house” (2Sa 11:2-4).
In David’s example, both the eyes and the flesh were excited. He saw Bathsheba’s beauty, which excited him physically. This led to the tragedy that followed.
“The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, 'I am pregnant'” (2Sa 11:5). This set David on a downward spiral that eventually caused David to murder Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. Lust led to adultery, deception, and murder.
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1Co 10:12-13).
What was David’s way of escape? He could have gone back to bed. Instead, he lingered there and conceived in his heart, lying with Bathsheba. Lust gives birth to sin when we linger on temptation. So when temptation comes, flee!
“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2Ti 2:20-22).
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