“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. ’But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:27-28

For Meditation

Lust is the unwelcome and persistent intruder in the life and value system of the Christian family. It is a guest that you must never offer a seat in your mind – not even for a minute! For lust is an unruly and defiant visitor with crafty intent. It plies its craft on the careless and unguarded person. Like the smooth-talking, wayward woman King Solomon describes in Proverbs 6:24, the wise king says,  

“Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes” (25).

For, lustful feelings are dangerous and will cause you to commit every sexual immorality imaginable before you know it, including adultery. No one plays with its fire and escapes severe burns. Jesus turned up its heat when He redefined adultery in the Sermon on the Mount.  

“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

So do not entertain its flirtatious maneuvers. Give it the sacking order from the recesses of your heart, with all the sincerity you can garner as Jesus did.

“Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23). 

Chuck Swindoll puts it this way. 

“When lust suggests a rendezvous, send Jesus Christ as your representative.”

Otherwise, it will compromise your integrity, defile your marriage bed, and finally destroy your marriage. If you thought you were spiritually mature, check notes with strongman Samson, and you may gain wisdom. As my wife always says, if David, the man after the heart of God, fell so miserably, beware that no man has insurance against the momentary captivation of Lady Lust. 

Joseph has a piece of excellent advice for all young people. It protected him from the carnage of this pernicious feeling when Mrs. Potiphar lusted after him. He ran for his life! His safeguard? 

“How … could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). 

And old Job has a preventive tactic to share with the old folks. 

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1). 

No mind or eyes have immunity against the visit of Lady Lust. It is what we do with her invitation and sneak-visits that matter. Do you dance with lust in your imagination, or do you show it the red flag of a determined mind not to defile yourself? What does holiness mean to you? Do you have any respect for the indwelling Holy Spirit? Do you fear God?

Those are the considerations that give victory to a life completely surrendered to Christ, the Joseph way.