RELATIONSHIPS 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition You know who I am talking about. His name is Mr. Luxuria. He is impeccably dressed in the latest style and has his groove on. Like his cologne, he exudes confidence. He has the look of a tiger on the prowl, but very sophisticated. He seems to be very public, but you know there is a dark private side to him. He is the personification of carnality. The only thing he wants to do is have sex with someone. We don’t like to admit it, but we do know someone like that. He could be either male or female. The latest example in the press is Jeffrey Epstein. We considered him a monster and put him in jail. There he committed suicide. Or was he killed? Who will take his place among the living? You? Me? You know we really want to take his place. Why? Because we are ruled by lust. What is lust? According to the dictionary definition “lust is a strong craving for sex.” This is a simple yet profound statement as written. It is simple because lust is simply the natural and fleshly boundless desire in humans to have sex. It seems that today’s world seems to be ruled by this desire to copulate. The Bible refers to this necessary, and sometimes evil, desire as part of the compound we call the flesh. It belongs in the natural world, and it is by definition carnal. This is not heavenly stuff. Therefore, this desire, when unbounded, has been deemed a sin — something that misses the mark of God’s will for our lives. This concept of lust is also very profound. How can something that seems so superficial and crass be so deep? Well, because it is rooted in the primeval evil that beset the world when mankind fell into the reality of sin in the garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve said to God that they were naked, they gave the signal that something had broken. They were now able to “lust” after one another and even lust the things, and people, beyond. How does lust sink your family? Lust sinks your family in a very subtle way that eventually becomes very public. If anyone in your family lets this wild animal out, there will be a price to pay. You have heard it said that “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Lust is always looking on the other side. It is always looking for greener pastures. What lust does not know is that the grass is just as green on this side and without the hassle. There is no end to lust. Lust never asks about the consequences of its actions. Lust looks, looks again and keeps on looking till it fulfills its desire to conquer. In the Bible pages we have the story of someone who was led by desire to some dreadful consequences. Yep, you guessed it! King David! (I knew you were thinking of Samson!) He was a model of spiritual virtuosity from his youth. He wrote some very meaningful and deep psalms. He constantly looked for God’s path in his wonderings. Yet, the one time he let down his guard, lust was there waiting for him. His actions, guided by lust, led to his having an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. And this was his undoing. We find the details of the story in 2 Samuel 11. And so, he called Bathsheba, and he slept with her. He was king after all. He could do what he wanted. Lust had its final completion indeed. Then David went back to normal like nothing had happened. It is very clear that David’s default for any sinful situation was to do nothing. It seemed to David that God was not looking. But he was. And he is. We don’t think that God is looking at us, but he is. He sees us as we really are. There is no place for us to hide. What can you do about lust? As one can see from this tragedy in David’s life, one can learn the general lesson that lust can be very dangerous for anyone. We live today in a world where lust is enthroned on high. Lust is the mover and shaker behind the advertisements, dress, music, movies, games and everything and anything. Lust is a very powerful motivator in our world. Lust is everywhere. When you access social media, lust is the face that you see. Many advertisements and news are embedded with lusty messages and icons that promote temptation even for the strongest and most ethical of human beings. Like David, we know the rules. Many of us know God. Many of us even believe in Jesus. Some of us even think we have the Holy Spirit in us. Still, this is no guarantee. One can easily fall into the temptation presented by lust. Like David, one can go down the river of life with lusty eyes to sexual destruction with lust leading the way and one never really taking note of it. Like David, the results of the fall can be devastating. Personally, and cross-generationally, the results are terrible. So, what can you do? You can first, be informed. Be aware of the context that you are in. Whether you are a husband, a wife, a single person, a young person or a child, be aware. Be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of your friends. Be aware of opportunities for sin to happen. Be aware of people who want evil for you and your family. Be aware of social media. Be aware of God’s gifts of the pardon of sins and eternal life, don’t squander these! Use them! You can stop lust dead on its tracks before it dismantles your world and sinks your family’s ship. Dr. David Lema is Coordinator of Hispanic Outreach and Instruction for Relate Well Live Well. This article includes quotes from his book “Seven Sins that Sink Your Family… And How to Overcome Them.” If you would like to purchase the book, visit rwlw.org. - Dr. David Lema - Coordinator of Hispanic Outreach, Relate Well Live Well Lusty Eyes
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