The Sunday Mail
Pastor Tinashe Zinyemba
LAST week we talked about the lust of the eyes. Time and space would not allow me to conclude the subject. In 2 Kings 6, there is a young man who woke up early in the morning to discover that they were completely surrounded by the Syrian army. He was filled with terror.
I can relate to his feelings – when you feel completely surrounded by issues and your problems look insurmountable. In fact, in your mind you are as good as dead. But guess what, the story does not end there. The prophet Elisha prays for the young man and he is able to see the armies of God as chariots of fire and there were more on their side than with the enemy. The prophet was so calm because he could see as God sees, while the young man saw through the eyes of the flesh.
I pray that God opens your eyes so that you are able to see His salvation in your time of need.
Moving on to the lust of the flesh, remember that lust is a strong desire for something forbidden. Flesh from a scriptural perspective is actually a spirit that manifests through physical needs. In Galatians 5 vs 19-21, the Apostle Paul gives a list of fleshly activities and manifestations that are quite interesting – idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, impurity, sensuality, fits of anger, strife, sexual immorality, enmity, strife, envy, drunkenness, orgies and so forth. That is a comprehensive list that looks at the flesh from various angels. The flesh can be so deceptive and can lead you to a place of despair.
In the story of Kind David’s children Absalom, Tamar, and Amnon (2 Samuel 13), Tamar and Amnon had the same mother while Amnon had a different mother. For some strange reason, Amnon lustfully desired his sister to the extent of making sexual advances. He even faked an illness so that she could attend to him and when she came into his room, he raped her.
That’s how powerful and deceptive the flesh can be. After raping her, he lost all interest in her and actually became disgusted in her. When Absalom heard that his sister had been raped by his half brother, he made an elaborate plan and deceptively crafted Amnon’s murder. The issue caused havoc in the kingdom and distressed King David. That is the power of the flesh.
In Genesis 25, Esau sold his birthright because of hunger. In verse 32, he says, “I am about to die”. Most of the time that is how we are, we exaggerate the situation or craving. Some people claim they cannot stop smoking, drinking, taking drugs, having sex, cheating on the husband or wife, masturbating, watching pornography, going to parties, lying, and so forth. To the person in the situation, it seems as if you cannot live without giving in to the lust. But usually after indulging in the crave, a feeling of guilt and depression takes over and you wonder why you did it in the first place. In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, the devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread in order to satisfy hunger. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” – Matthew 4:4.
The key to break lust of the flesh is in that verse. If you are facing flesh challenges you have to get the Word of God into your heart and know that certain things are ungodly. I say this because sometimes we are no longer convicted by our actions and that is a dangerous place to be in.
When you make a decision, make the corresponding actions. This can be deleting certain people’s numbers from your phone, going off social media for a season, confessing your weakness to someone or submitting yourself to a structure that ensures your accountability. I believe you are strong and can break the hold of lust on your life, Jesus will set you free. If you play your part, He will pull you through. Till next week, God bless.
Tinashe Zinyemba is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Email feedback at [email protected]
