6. Take drastic measures to get rid of weeds (Matthew 5:29-30). Weeds in the garden are not grounds for dismissal but for action. Gardener’s may uproot them, or spray weed killer to eradicate them. Lust must be eradicated and killed, and it may take extreme measures to get it done. It may mean throwing away a laptop or phone. It might be uninstalling the app or refraining from watching TV. Maybe a couple of counseling sessions are scheduled. Do whatever it takes. As weeds kill fruit, so does lust kill purity. One man began to attend therapy with a certain psychologist. He had been struggling with a personal vice for years and tried so many things in order to suppress his consequences. “One doctor told me don’t do it as much and another said I should just not worry about it. What should I do?” The psychologist looked at him and said very solemnly, “I see that you have attempted suppress your consequences, but have you tried to quit the sin yet?” Want to know how to stop lusting? QUIT!
7. Don’t allow even one weed to grow (1 Corinthians 5:6). New weeds can appear in a garden within twelve hours.[2] One weed can do much damage for the following that it brings. It was a little fruit led to a big sin (Genesis 3:6). A little anger led to a big consequence (Numbers 20:7-12). A little fire led to a big burning (Leviticus 10:1-2). A little lie led to a big confrontation (Acts 5:1-11). A little look led to a big disaster (2 Samuel 11). One lustful look can lead to a lifetime of consequences. Do not justify the look with “its just one time,” “it won’t happen again,” or “it’s just one picture.” A man’s famous last words of purity began with a justification in his mind regarding an “innocent” look. Don’t even look once!
8. Call Weeds, “Weeds” (Genesis 39:9). No matter what the gardener calls them, weeds are still weeds. Name changes do not result in essence changes. Lust is not:
“Appreciating beauty.”
“Exploring manhood.”
“An immature childhood action.”
Joseph called fornication wickedness and Jesus said, “Whoseover looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Husbands should think of lust as mockery, betrayal, and impurity.
9. Stay busy cultivating fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). The more fruit that is planted, the less room there are for weeds to grow. The gardener who daily upkeeps his garden will not allow weeds to grow. A man who stays busy in the work of God and cultivates fruit will be less likely to fall to lust. He should cultivate:
Love. If he cultivates love, he will respect another woman’s body.
Joy. If he cultivates joy, he will not be depressed with the torment lust can bring.
Peace. If he cultivates peace, he will not be restless to always be on the search for the next picture.
Patience. If he cultivates patience, he will endure with purity and forsake the trials of lust.
Kindness. If he cultivates kindness,[3] he will treat all women with respect and not as objects.
Goodness. If he cultivates goodness, he will be so busy helping others he will have no time for lust.
Faithfulness. If he cultivates faithfulness, he will understand that living in lust is unfaithful.
Meekness. If he cultivates meekness, he will tame himself from lust and moderate his sexual desire to marriage alone.[4]
Self-Control. If he cultivates self-control, he will stop himself from lust when the temptation arises.
Lust harms cultivation and a lack of cultivation is a cause for removal from the vine (John 15:2, 6).
10. Ponder the problems weeds produce (Proverbs 6:25-32). Weeds cause problems to fruitful gardens in the following areas:
They compete for resources.
They release chemicals that can harm the environment of plants.
They can overtake garden space.[5]
Like weeds, lust causes problems in a man’s fruitful garden. It replaces looking into the Word with looking into sensuality. It harms the environment of both the home and the church. It overtakes a man’s life and can lead to adultery, familial problems, and occupational turmoil. Many sins would never have been committed if the consequences were pondered beforehand. Ponder the consequences of the lustful look.
Are you struggling with this sin today? Do you find it hard to look away? Jesus offers relief. Sexual desire is natural and the expression beautiful but only if it is fulfilled through the right outlet (Hebrews 13:4). Fruitful gardeners eradicate weeds out of their garden. Are you a good gardener of your soul (Deuteronomy 4:9)?
Endnotes
[1]https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/lust-joseph-rodgers-sermon-on-sin-general-84639?page=2&wc=800
[3]Thayer says this word means moral goodness and integrity. Adam Clarke added “polished manners.”
[4]John Stacy, Preaching Through Galatians, p. 206.
[5]https://everythingbackyard.net/what-do-weeds-do-to-plants/#:~:text=The%20Impact%20of%20Weeds%20on%20Plant%20Health%3A%201,dominate%20garden%20spaces%2C %20reducing%20biodiversity%20and%20visual%20appeal
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