People that are experiencing loneliness do not always behave in a way that is conducive to their own best personal interest, nor do those who are angry at the moment, jealous, or any other emotion that we may find ourselves in. Covetousness is, as it may be loosely stated, a normal part of our lives each day, whether experienced with one of our five senses, or imagined in the mind, what we do not have at times we want. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
This is a verse of promise to those who have placed their faith and lives in Jesus Christ, yet in part we must do our part, so to speak. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Cor. 9:27) And “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)
These are just two verses that proclaim the truth that we have been given free will in these areas, the areas of emotion and the “logical” part of our mind, those deductive reasoning skills, which are also a part of that free will that all men have been blessed with understands the possibilities of the consequences if we react to the emotional context that we find ourselves in, stealing has consequences if one is caught only, adultery, gluttony, all of those temptations that come upon us, whether by Satanic influences or constructed in our minds without any assistance from our adversary, will have consequences if we submit to them.
It is called falling into temptation, yet many do all they can not to fall, but purposefully make a slow, gradual ramp into that sin. The lonely woman will seek out someone to ease that burden she feels, most times without direct inference of that supposed need to others, subtlety is always the path when we search out those things we want that we know full well we should not desire, it is an attempt to deceive ourselves, to convince ourselves that the need outweighs the sin. “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15)
It is quite easy to walk down those slopes we have made for ourselves, it is not so easy to return, in fact, it is impossible unless we repent. God does not wink at sin as He once did, (Acts 17:30) the inerrant Word of God has been given to us in totality, we have the complete instructional manual for those that desire to serve Him. “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:17)
All sin is punished in one form or another, and in that line, I would ask you this question, which did David fear the most, that the child would indeed die that was conceived in blatant sin against the Most High, or that the Lord would remove His presence from him?
The closer we grow to the Lord, the more we are filled with the knowledge of His grace, mercy and longsuffering, the more we attempt to keep our bodies under subjection, the more we ask for strength to not build those ramps, for His presence in our lives is more precious to us than life itself.
“But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.” (1 Cor. 7:9) Many of you may not understand this fully, but my beautiful wife and I knew long ago that if we could not serve the Lord greater together than we could individually, that our marriage would fail. We have not yet achieved that oneness that the Scriptures speak of in Mark 10:8, but we are moving diligently and with intent towards that goal.
The emotionally based side of us is always contending with the logic-based side, and our flesh is always at odds with the Holy Spirit, (Gal. 5:17) yet there is a part of us that desires nothing more than the Lord God be exalted above the heavens in all that we do. I would ask you today, how is that battle going for you?