LUSTING FOR GODLINESS – SEE THE COLOR OF LUST BEYOND THE VISIBLE SPECTRUM
Unfortunately, we will battle with lust for the remainder of our lives. But with hearts redeemed by the gospel, we will be freer to turn toward the path of beauty rather than pursue the track of hatred.
The passion of the gospel will eventually overrule and defeat the destructive lust of consumption. The pursuit of holiness will become far more than a desire to do right but a desire, or a “lust”, for the character and beauty of God. In that sense, the gospel frees us to lust after what our hearts are made for, godliness, rather than after that which leads to decay, death, and despair. Godly lust leads to life. In that sense, go and lust well.
QUESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION AND GROUP DISCUSSION
1. Do you measure your or others’ spirituality on the basis of freedom from lust? Consider the measurements that God uses and explore what makes these two measurements different.
2. What are your strong, passionate, and eager desires? Are those desires consistent with God’s purpose for your life? If so, how?
3. Why is discipline of your self-will not enough for you to overcome the lust in your life? How can you pursue God to transform your lust into passionate, lively, and loving desire for God and others?
4. Based upon your understanding and experiences with the nature of lust and if it is true that God’s words in the Bible frees us to lust after what our hearts are made for, godliness then how might you start to more lustfully pursue God? What do you need to do gain a transformation in how you view lust – to see beyond the obvious into the deeper spiritual aspects of lust?
