Deadly Sin #2: Lust

Before the new year I started a series of blogs on the seven deadly sins. One sin blog down, and I had to take some time off from blogging to focus on myself. I went through a breakup of a 5 year relationship, and handled it surprisingly well, actually. I wanted to spend some time with friends, rekindling the spark that the old Michelle used to have. I feel back to my truly happy state. So, get ready for a flood of blogs!

The second deadly sin I want to discuss is Lust. According to Wikipedia, lust is defined as an emotional force that is directly associated with the thinking or fantasizing about one's desire, usually in a sexual way. The thing I want to emphasize is that it is usually related to sex, but it doesn't have to be. You can lust after many things. 

You can lust after someone else's job or career. You can lust after finding a rich man to marry you. You can lust after anything really. You can even show lust through prayer, which may be the worst type of lustful sin to commit. Have you ever prayed something similar to, "Please Lord, help me win the lotto so that I can finally buy that car I've been wanting?" This is lustful prayer.

James 4:2-3

You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

This type of lust, is similar to greed, and envy. They are all related really. You envy what someone has, you lust after it, and then you greedily keep it for yourself. 

We can lust after positive things as well, but this falls into sin, when we fail to give it up to God and let Him be the one that chooses when/if we receive it. God answers all prayers, but sometimes, that answer is no. We shouldn't question God, and continue to lust after the same things long after we've realized that maybe what we want is not part of His plan for our lives. 

Yes, there is the sin of sexual lust, all over the world, and it is becoming more and more prevalent, and more and more acceptable in society. However, I wanted to focus this entry on the non-sexual context of the word lust. A context in which most people will never think about; where you can lust after anything, but any lust is wrong.

xoxo