Day 24: Love vs. Lust

Daily Reading

Lust opposes love because you lust after something forbidden. Lust "breeds more lust." The authors define lust as "a misguided thirst for satisfaction that only God can fulfill."

It goes on to say that lust "alerts you to the fact that you are not allowing God's love to fill you."

"Focus on being grateful for everything God has already given you rather than choosing discontentment."

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From dictionary.com:

–noun
1. intense sexual desire or appetite.
2. uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness.
3. a passionate or overmastering desire or craving (usually fol. by for): a lust for power.
4. ardent enthusiasm; zest; relish: an enviable lust for life.
5. Obsolete. a. pleasure or delight. b. desire; inclination; wish.

–verb (used without object)
6. to have intense sexual desire.
7. to have a yearning or desire; have a strong or excessive craving (often fol. by for or after).

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I get the point the authors are making but I disagree, again. Because I think they are taking a very narrow view of the word "lust." Personally, I like a little lust in my marriage. Knowing that my husband has a strong sexual desire for me is a pretty amazing part of our marriage, our intimacy.

I understand their point. I do. That if you aren't satisfied with the blessings you have, if you don't recognize how good your life already is, you will constantly be looking for more and that will get in the way of what you already have.

But that, to me, isn't lust. This goes back to "Love is satisfied."

Today's Dare

"End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed- today- and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love."

Reflections

"What did you identify as an are of lust? What has this pursuit cost you over time? How has it led you away from the person you want to be? Write about your commitment to Him- and to seek your spouse- rather than seeking after foolish desires."