This morning as I was reading and studying, I realized that lust is all about the self. I read in Proverbs 11 where the wisdom is directed at the opposites of good and evil. As I look closely at the contrast, the evil is centered around self gratification and the lifting up of oneself. It is the good and righteous that are concerned with others.

“¹³Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. ¹⁴Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” “²⁴One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” “²⁶The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.” — Proverbs 11:13-14 & 24 & 26 (ESV)

I was reviewing the word “lust” in verse six and as is good practice, I read the entire chapter to understand the context of the verse and found the contrast of righteousness and evil. After reading God’s word here in the chapter, I realized that good is about others and evil is about self. This falls directly into the idea of lust. With lust being an intense longing, it is all about the self longing and gratification and not that of others. This is where we go wrong and where we find ourselves consumed with that we long for.

“⁶The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.” — Proverbs 11:6 (ESV)

Focus is good, but being consumed can lead to destruction. It is good to know where you are headed and focusing on the destination, but we should still be conscious of the journey to be sure that we are not missing something that could benefit others as we go. I have a good focus in the mornings with my study to know that I am working to learn and grow in my faith with my study. I also am aware that I have an audience, no matter the size or whether known or unknown that are looking at my thoughts and deriving their own from them. That awareness keeps me from being consumed and knowing that I have a purpose for others and not myself.

It is lust where we are driven to do things in the interest of self. I have to remember that ultimately it is not about me, only about God and the work He has for me to spread the gospel and bring glory to Him.

What do you have in your life that is solely for the self? Are you focused on those things or are you consumed by them? What if you turned to serving others as opposed to self instead?

“³⁰Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.” — Psalm 68:30 (ESV)

When there is lust involved, there is a blinding to all else. The lustful desires are all consuming and all rational thought is lost and therefor can and will be overtaken by those with rational thought.

Here, in the passage it is noted that those bringing tribute will be trampled and destroyed. These are after the tribute and that which comes with it and have their thoughts, feelings, and actions directed to that lust. As they are blinded by the lust for the tribute, they are easily defeated in battle and in every other instance.

I have to remember that as I approach life and all that is presented with it, I am much better off with my focus on God and bringing glory to Him as I bring the gospel forward. It is not about me or what I want or desire. I will receive what is due based on my actions to bring glory to God. My life is His and that is where everything is.

Lusting after even the smallest of things will bring a focus to those things that are not bringing glory to God. My reward is found in the end based on my devotion to Him and my focus on bringing glory to Him. Not for the works done, but for the heart I have in the works to ensure that all is devoted to Him along with my life and all.

What are you lusting after that may be getting in the way of your focus on God? Are you looking for the one thing or things that bring you joy in this world? What if you focus was on God and His works so as to avoid the destruction that comes with lustful desires?

Lust: usually intense or unbridled sexual desire; an intense longing – Merriam-Webster Online

I look at the definition above and think. Am I a lustful person and where am I directing that lust? All the Lord makes is good. Yes, even lust is good, when directed to and in the right things.

I have a beautiful wife and she is enough for me. In our church, our pastor was very open about his lust for his wife. His approach is that any and all that she is drives him to love her even more. Whether her hair is blond or brunet. Whether cleaning house or loving the kids. He loves her and she is enough. I feel the same about Lori. This is the purity in the lustful desires that we have. It is great and lovely to lust after my wife and know that she is all and enough for me. I don’t need to wander away from her to fill me. Lori is the right thing for me and where I can and should direct my lust. As noted in the definition above, lust is “an intense longing”, and that is what I have for her.

When I turn lust into the world and look for that which will bring me joy, I have to remember to turn it to the right things here as well. What is the right thing to turn to within the world, what is that which I can and should lust after? GOD!!! He is where I should be turning to. His work is where I should be lusting after. He is right and good. He is enough. He is everything that will bring joy.

There is nothing in this world that will bring peace and joy that comes from God. Leaning on Him is where I get the most. He gives me comfort, strength, guidance, He provides for my needs and blesses me beyond belief. I should be lusting after that which brings me the most and that is Him. He is pure and great and that is all that I need. “Purity is a pursuit that leads to life” (Jared Patrick, 2023). When I am seeking him, I am seeking that which is right and will gain life that is abundant.

Where are you lusting? Are you looking to fill your world with things that are not right? What if you were to lust after God and doing His work and pursue purity that leads to life?

“⁸But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” — 1 Timothy 6:8 (ESV)

I see this verse and when I think of all that I have accumulated over the years of my life, I think, “…but, I really need…” This house is important. My car. My designer clothing. My computers and home office. I have all of these things that I use and have value create efficiency and I am happier for having them.

The thing is that those things, where they may make me feel better and create for comfort, they are not the things that are required in life to make it. The verse above outlines just what is required in this world, food and clothing. The very basics are what I “need”.

I think back to my grandparents and just what they had as I was growing up. They had each other and what was in their homes. There were many Christmases where we as family would gather around them and would gift them one of our luxuries with the intention that they would get the same value out of it as we did. They would simply look at the item and offer a sincere thank you for the gift. I could see the bewilderment on their face and looking back now, realize that they never used the item as the value we saw was not something that was of value to them. They were happy and content with their lives and all that they had, even as it may not have been the “latest and greatest” things.

I see now that I am older and have worked on my priorities that what really matters is what we are able to do in the name of God. What and how are we able to do those things to impact others in a positive way and not what we can accumulate that will provide our comfort.

“⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” — 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (ESV)

Paul points out that all that we accumulate over our time here in this world was of no consequence when we arrived and is no of no consequence when we leave. Why then should we work so hard to accumulate and keep while we are here. I have to remember that which is important, pleasing the LORD and bringing glory to Him while I bring the gospel to the world. I do not “need” all those comforts, it is only “food and clothing” that are required.

What things are you holding on to that are not really required? Are you accumulating things under the impression that you “need” them? What more would you be able to do in life if you were to realize that what you require are as simple as “food and clothing” to be content?

I believe that too often I am unaware of my circumstances. Not that I am lost or understanding of the things that are going on around me, but I am not aware of where I am and what I should be focusing on in those circumstances.

“¹²I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” — Philippians 4:12 (ESV)

I look at the above and notice that Paul is fully aware of everywhere he finds himself. He knows when abundance is there and when there is need. He is understanding of where he is and what he should be focused on and not whether there is more for him.

I have to be more like Paul in my circumstances. I have to know that where I am I am supposed to be for the glory of God. I am here to serve Him and not myself. Whether there is abundance or need, I have to be there in the moment and look to what God has for me and not what it is that I want.

“¹¹Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹³I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:11&13 (ESV)

God is with me regardless of where I am. My circumstances are not important and my focus should be on Him and less on those things around me. I have to be using the strength He provides to do His work. My highs and lows are not the focus, but the work for Him, and He provides for that work every time. I have to be aware and content. I have to know that where I am, God has me. I have to know that whatever comes my way, He has planned for. I have to go wherever He asks me to do and do whatever He asks me to do. I have to be content in my service to God.

I have a friend that I may have spoken of before and he demonstrated this contentment in the work while he was in high school. He was a valued member of the baseball team and there were a number of games scheduled over the spring break time. He had committed to serve as a counselor on a youth trip with the church and elected for the trip as opposed to the games with high school. Needless to say, he was benched for a couple games for missing. Yet, my friend was content with his decision and focused on the work of God. He ended up playing ball in college and is much the better man for his contentment in that situation.

I have to remember that contentment is in all circumstances. I have to know why and when that why aligns with God, then that is where I am to be.

What circumstances have you been in that you may not have been content? Are you focused on the circumstance or the why you are there? What if you focused on the work of God instead of the circumstance to gain your contentment?

Wow, gluttony is not really something that I immediately think of as a sin. I am just one that has been afforded more than I need and that is not wrong, is it?

Gluttony: 1 – Excess in eating or drinking, 2 – Greedy or excessive indulgence. — Merriam-Webster Online

I know that based on the definition above I think of gluttony in the case of number one as pertains to eating or drinking. And I will say that over the past few years, I have realized that I do not need that second plate of food, and Lori and I have even bought smaller plates to curb some of the over eating that happens in our home.

What I had not really thought of actively was all of the other indulgent behaviors and areas that I have take part in my life. Too many lawn tools that are only used periodically and not even every year. Too many electronic devices. Too much TV watching. All of these seem to fall into the luxuries that are really not needed and lend to bloated feelings as relates to possessions and vices.

As I read and study “gluttony” I again see that this seeming small sin leads to greater sin that can and will overtake the individual. Gluttony leads to greed which leads to envy which leads to pride which leads to anger. All of these, I may find small in themselves, although when combined they are debilitating and demonstrate a character that is less that the example of Christ’s love.

It is contentment and self-control that allows for the overcoming of gluttony. Knowing that I have enough and actively working against the acquiring of more. I have to know that more is not better in the idea of things. It is love and being okay with what I have that will guide me in the direction of focusing and doing of God’s work for His glory and not my own.

I need more of the actions of guying smaller plates and looking to the necessities as opposed to looking to gain more as is typical in the quest for the “American Way”. I have to know that doing the work of God with what I have is more than enough to accomplish His plan for me. God give what I “need” and when appropriate, He will bless me with more and as relates to both, it is my duty to be thankful to Him and His gracious giving. I then need to be sure that I am sharing those gifts with others and not gluttonously holding them for myself.

What do you have in your life that is more than you need? Are you hording the excess and possibly letting it lead to additional sin? What if you were to be content with what you have and demonstrate self-control to not gluttonously work to acquire even more?

“⁴Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸Love never ends.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)

And there it is, what love is and what it is not. Love is there for the good and it really does overcome the evil. Where love is the other cannot be.

I am studying the word “envy” and this morning was brought here and low and behold I have found the way that envy can be rooted out of my life, heart, and mind. I have to fill them with love and when I do so, envy cannot reside. I have to allow love to overtake me and then flow from within to the outside so that I can share with those around me. I have to be the example of love.

I know that I have chose the right mission in life as I continue to read and study God’s word: “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of God’s love.” The last 4 words are the truth I have to remember each and every day. When I am the example of God’s love, I will have no room for envy in my life or anywhere. I will be filled with that which I will let overflow onto others and in all situations, love, and more importantly the love of God.

What are you filling up with daily? Are you allowing envy to fill you and not allowing love? What if you were to fill with the love of God and allow it to root out envy in your life?

“²⁹They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” — Romans 1:29-31 (ESV)

Even as envy is a small thing and unless acted on, there seems to be little harm in being envious of someone else, but that is a very slippery slope. As I read this morning in Romans, I notice all that tends to go with envy. I see that there is covetousness, deceit, gossips, boastful, foolish, and more. It is too easy to fall into all those other sins and unrighteous behavior when I allow the smallest of things like envy to creep into my mind and heart.

When I start with the envy of someone’s possessions I am giving way to the potential to act on that envy and work toward accumulating at all costs. I will lend myself to not only be envious of the possession, but I will then begin to covet that possession. Then I will use deceit to get it, or if not able to get the possession, I will create gossip or take to slandering the other so as to bring them down. I will engage in ruthless and heartless behavior to obtain the possession and not just for me, but at the expense of the other to somehow lift myself up above them in some way.

I have to be wary of that which is within me so that I am not letting it out. Just the smallest of evil things will bring about larger evil in the long of things. Envy is one of those smaller things than infects and creates larger evil. I have to be in the business of spreading love as opposed to looking for the chance to be placed in a position that others will revere. I have to lift up others, even when that seems to be over my own. I have to stay away from the small things of evil to aid in my staying away from them manifesting into larger evil.

What small things are you allowing in your life that may be leading to larger things? Are you allowing the smaller evil to manifest into the larger evil? What if you were to focus on love and spreading that love as opposed to envy and what comes with it?

“²⁰And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²²coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. ²³All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” — Mark 7:20-23 (ESV)

It is what comes out of a person that is where the problem lies. Anything that goes in can be dealt with and squashed before it can do any harm. Only those things that come out of someone are known and will cause harm and/or demonstrate their true selves at that time.

In the above verses, Jesus is explaining all that will create defilement of a person. He is clear to indicate that those are what comes from within that person, and this got me to thinking about what is within me and how it got there and what I can do to deal with it.

We watch a lot of movies and shows here and really enjoy them for the entertainment value that they present. In a number of those productions there is a character that swallows some bomb, or note, or other thing that might bring harm to another character or group. This item is taken into the character for safe keeping and is not let out. This item may damage the inside of the character in the short run, however if or when it is expelled, its condition is now of no harm to anyone else.

I take in a lot from those instances around me and I have the choice to keep it within or let it out. Keeping things within allow for the dispelling of the item and all that is harmful about it. Thoughts and ideas are some of those things that are taken in and I have the chance to end them there are act on them and demonstrate myself.

Envy is one of those items that may start as something that comes into me as a thought. When that thought comes into my mind, I then have the choice to act on that thought or bury inside me to protect me and those around me. Protecting me is part of it, as when I let the envy out for the world to see, they are now conflicted in what I say that I represent, and what they see I represent. I have heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words” and that is what is going on here. The visual of envy is speaking volumes to those witnessing them.

I have to know that it is what comes from within me that makes all the difference in my character, how I act and react, as well as what others see and therefor believe about me. I have to remember not to defile myself with that which is coming from inside of me. I have to be able to take things in and know that is where they end. I have to think of my body as the protector of me and others from the things that enter. If and when those things are expelled, it is important that they are of no harm to anyone else, not even me.

What are you displaying that first entered you? Are you allowing things that defile you to exit and possibly harm others? What if you were to take those things in with the intention of keeping them there to protect others and more importantly yourself?

This morning I was reading in Proverbs and continuing my study of “envy”.

“¹⁷Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.” — Proverbs 23:17 (ESV)

Here is another example of a verse that can be confusing when we are not focused on the full word of God and only looking at the words. When looking simply at the words in the verse there is a tendency to simple abide by them. Although, when you look deeper into God’s word, we find more context and are delivered to the truth of the totality of His word and not just this that is caught in a moment.

I digress out of the previous paragraph and get to my learning and reminder this morning. Look a the second part of the verse above. I should fear the LORD continually. That fear is acting on God’s word and not sitting idly by and allowing myself to be corrupted by what others are doing or saying.

“³Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” — Psalm 37:3 (ESV)

Again, filling myself with the LORD and focusing my attention on Him and His work will weed out all of what should not be there. When my focus is on acting out for the LORD, I am able to avoid that which is going against me.

The envy that manifests when we are not focused on the good of God and doing His work is debilitating to the point that we are not able to continue forward for God. We tend to dwell on those things and forget about the love God has for us and the love that we are to be returning to Him and heaping on those around us.

I am sure that most of us have experienced that shortening of time as we are focused on some task or work. I know that when I have my head buried in something, I am not concerned about anything else and time seems to fly by and everything around be goes on without my notice and frankly I am not bothered or even aware by any of it at any time. I have a couple of co-workers that eventually married. Thing is, it was several weeks before I knew as I was too busy working to get involved in their relationship. I went to one of them and asked how I did not know about their marriage and was looked at and with a serious statement they said, “because you are not all up in everyone’s stuff.” Where at first this concerned me as I was not creating relationships enough with people to know personal things about them, I eventually came around to the realization of the compliment to my work ethic and focus on those things that are of more importance.

What does this previous paragraph have to do with the idea of acting as opposed to envying. Well, when I am focused on those things that are of more importance, I am able to avoid all of the things that get in the way, like gossip, and sin. Diving into the work of the LORD will afford me the avoidance of things that are going to fade anyway.

“¹Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! ²For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.” — Psalm 37:1-2 (ESV)

I have to act on the work of the LORD and there is where I will find the sustainable love and care that I am looking for in this world. I find my reward in doing His work and not in the envious thoughts around others.

“⁴Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” “¹⁸Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” — Psalm 37:4 & Proverbs 23:18 (ESV)

Where is your attention? Are you envying those around you? What if you were to simply put your head down and act on the works asked of you by God therefor being able to avoid the envious thoughts as they are now not even seen?