What is one of a gardener’s worst enemy? Is it bugs? What about critters? What about bad soil? One of the most common problems in gardens are weeds. Weeds come subtly, in large quantities, and can ruin pure gardens. Gardeners can prepare their gardens so that they do not inflict the good crop they have. It takes work, sweat, and sacrifice, but it can be done. Like weeds are to gardeners, sexual lust is to men.
Lust is an all-person problem (cf. Genesis 39:7-12), but most of its captives are males (Proverbs 6-7). Lust has taken the young, the old, the rich, and the poor. Marriages, churches, and families have been burnt by its fire. Few sins are easier to commit than lust in the modern world, for the internet, movies, and handheld devices give people outlets for indulgence. Using the illustration of a gardener and weeds, here are ten practical helps to overcome the sin of lust.
1. Determine not to have weeds in your garden (Job 31:1).
Gardeners plant vegetables and fruit; they are determined NOT to have weeds. They till the ground and prepare to plant fruit, not weeds. Job made a “covenant” with his eyes. He decided before the enticement that he would not fall for lust’s allurement. You will be less likely to fall to the weed of lust if you determine that you will not have it in your garden. Decide beforehand not to look, read, or watch (1 Peter 1:13).
2. Watch for certain soils where weeds are likely to rise (James 1:14). Sunlight, certain soil, and water are needed for weeds to grow. Lust occurs in certain promiscuous locations (beaches, movies, or swimming pools). If you do not feed it, it will not grow. Note what triggers you. James said, “every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust” (Emp. mine, NO). So that you can guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23), read the reviews of movies beforehand. If there is sexual content and nudity in a movie refrain from it. Don’t justify watching it with “I’ll close my eyes,” or “I can handle it.” Refrain from beaches with myriads of people and public swimming pools with great populations. Do not keep looking at the pictures on the internet and stay away from social media if the urge to sin is too strong. Sin is too destructive and your heart too valuable. “A wealthy couple desired to employ a chauffeur. The wife advertised, the applicants were screened, and (4) candidates were brought to her for the final selection. She called the prospective men to her balcony and pointed out a brick wall alongside the driveway. She asked the men, "How close do you think you could come to that wall w/out scratching my car?" The 1st man felt he could drive w/in a foot of the wall w/out damaging the car. The 2nd felt sure he could come w/in (6) inches. The 3rd believed he could get w/in (3) inches. The 4th candidate said, "I do not know how close I could come to the wall w/out damaging your car. Instead, I would try to stay as far away from that wall as I could.”[1]
3. Spray the ground with herbicide (Proverbs 4:23). Herbicides prevent weeds from rising in garden beds. Lustful sins need preventors; electronic preventors are especially helpful. Install platforms on your laptop and/or phone so that pornographic sites are not enticing. Apps like Covenant Eyes or Freedom Fight help fight pornographic addictions. Movies can be filtered through apps called Vid-angel or Clear play. Make sure the platform you use works and be sure you keep paying the bill. It is better to pay with your wages, than for you to receive wages from God later (Romans 6:23). It is better to prepare for the inflictors today, so that you can be free from the shame and punishment tomorrow.
4. Ask for help from a fellow gardener (James 5:16). Weeds come in abundance, and it can take a long time to get them out of a garden. Gardeners may ask another gardener to help remove them or ask for advice on how to remove them. Like weeds, lust is big, and sometimes hard to get rid of. It multiplies until the sin is abundant. If it is too much to handle alone, like the gardener, ask for help. If you struggle with lust or pornographic addiction, text or call a designated partner daily. Celebrate successful weeks and discuss downfalls. Confession can cause cessation of sins, so openly admit weak days. Ask a victor you know who has struggled with it in the past for aid. Sometimes it is better to ask for help than handle it alone (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
5. Read up on weeds (Psalm 119:11). Familiarizing oneself with weeds helps gardeners get rid of them. They need articles, journals, and information that can be trusted. You need a manual to help you read up on lust. Use the Word to help see the effects of lust. Study examples of those who fell to it (2 Samuel 11) and read about how to be like those who overcame it (Genesis 39). Memorize Scripture too. Fighting specific sins with specific Scriptures is a good plan. When you are tempted, think of Scripture. Memorize the following Scriptures: Exodus 20:17; Job 31:1; Proverbs 6:25; Matthew 5:28; Romans 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
Endnotes
[1]https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/lust-joseph-rodgers-sermon-on-sin-general-84639?page=2&wc=800
Part 2 will be released next week.
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