Bold In Christ Ministries

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart Matthew 5:28 NIV.

First and foremost, I desire that this letter honors God’s heart. I know the responsibility that I have as a child of God to honor, love and respect my sisters in Christ who are also made in the image and likeness of God. Women are to be respected and treated well whether they are believers or not. God created women to be beautiful and I believe it is truly wondrous to witness. Psalm 139:14 NLT says Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.

I am a Brother in Christ who has struggled with lust and continually takes measures to hold himself accountable for his actions and thoughts. Jesus teaches in the gospel of Mathew 5 about Lust. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell Matthew 5:29 ESV. He says, whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed sin in his heart and that if the eye causes one to sin then one needs to remove that eye. This scripture is not meant to be taken literally, for it is figurative speech. Jesus is teaching us to actively avoid what can cause us to sin by eliminating any doors or windows the enemy can use to tempt us. Now, This does not to mean avoid women, but to have a renewed, respectful and honorable attitude towards them as children of God.

The Spirit of lust is a spirit that has led to the downfall of many great men in the Bible such as David, Solomon and Samson just to mention a few. So it is not a new subject. Many men and women struggle with lust in the body of Christ. Most believers and unbelievers alike allow this spirit to operate in their lives. Lust leads to many problems, struggle with relationships and lack of progress in life. This spirit controls the lives of many causing lasting damages, destroying homes, families, relationships and futures. It is good to want to look good and feel good about oneself, but there has to be self control in how one carries oneself. I truly believe to overcome this world which is filled with all kinds of lust, we have to stop accepting the outside world to influence the body of Christ and stick to the guidelines found in the Bible. We cannot allow the policies and customs of the world to influence how believers are meant to live their lives. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT says Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. We need to help each other by actively choosing accountability. Everyone should hold themselves accountable for how they act and carry themselves, then it becomes easier to collectively grow. I believe it is important to find a healthy way to handle the challenges many battle with presently without pointing fingers leading to shame and guilt.

Brothers and Sisters, we all need to seek that which pleases the Lord and not our flesh. We have to fight together and not each other. As a man in this generation, it is easy to be told “it’s your fault your looking” which is true, but their has to be accountability on both sides. Everyone has the choice to dress or do whatever they choose to as long is it not morally wrong and unlawful, but the Bible warns that, just because something is not unlawful does not mean its good for you. Shouldn’t Christians be aiming to please Jesus and not themselves? Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall 1 Corinthians 8:13 NIV.

Dear beloved, our dressing choices should be more about pleasing the Lord than what’s trending and fashionable. Men are visual beings and that is why many struggle with lust, thus it is important for men to be held accountable and to exercise self-control. Because, most often what’s comfortable for one might be a stumbling block for another, and since you cannot control how others perceive or look at you, how about using the Bible as reference to what is godly.  1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV says likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness-with good works. The Bible is telling women to dress well and not provocatively in a way that draws too much attention to their bodies, rather it’s saying to exercise self-control and wisdom in how one dresses and carries herself.
The world today is a trap at every corner. Lust sells in this world and its now ravaging the church. Temptations in the world are also the same temptations in the house of God. As a man, I cannot perceive or understand in any capacity what it means to be a woman in today’s world. I strongly believe every person knows what pleases the Lord and what doesn’t.
Thoughtful Questions: Do you ask the Holy Spirit if what you’re wearing is modest, kind and does not draw too much unwanted attention to self?
Unfortunately, there is a lack of accountability in the body of Christ. Instead culture is being used as a mirror to define what is good or bad. No one’s culture is above God’s word. There needs to be consideration for one another. The Bible tells us that a little leaven leaven’s the whole bread so lets fight this evil together and not let the enemy cause division amongst us. Lust is a powerful tool the enemy is using against the body of Christ and we are all in this together. No one needs the validation of this world, for God already has given us the best gift through Jesus Christ. This is the biggest validation we can ever receive. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us Romans 5:8 NIV.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Philippians 2:12 BSB
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.