Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyelids. Proverbs 6:25, TLV
Stepping on Toes? Okay. This may step on some toes . . . We live in a world that plays with lust. First it was movies, television, magazines, billboards, beauty contests, posters. Now, we have access to all this via our mailbox, televisions, computers, and phones.
By the playing with lust applies to both men and women. “Sexiest Man of the Year.” “Sexiest Woman of the Year.” Screaming mobs of women when the latest “heart throb” makes an appearance.
What makes a woman have heart palpitations when she sees a male star? What makes her growl or purr when she sees a handsome man on the street?
Hate to say it, but it’s . . . lust.
In the past we’ve spoken about how the eyes are the gateway to the mind and spirit. It’s also the portal to the body. That’s why what we look at or watch intentionally can affect us. As much as a beautiful sunrise feeds our soul and reminds us of the greatness of God, these unwholesome images deplete and pollute our soul and cause us to hide from God.
I’ve seen interviews of actors who say how uncomfortable they were “playing”
love scenes. Why do they do it? For us? Because we want it? Pay for it?
Magazines for teen girls now introduce our daughters to provocative images and ideas. Young women who struggle with being accepted and their body image, attempt to emulate what the “experts” deem as beautiful. Yet, there is nothing to mentor them in how to enhance their spiritual beauty.
Beauty can be appreciated as a piece of art or landscape. Beauty can draw others to the Creator of beauty, or take us to a place of want, envy, desire, and lust. It’s our choice.
As Jesus-followers, we can demonstrate what it means to value true beauty. We can avert our eyes from the images that open the door to temptation. And we can surround ourselves with wholesome representations of the awesomeness of our Heavenly Father and His Son.
“I made a covenant with my eyes
not to pay attention to a virgin . . .” Job 31:1, TLV
Let’s make a covenant with our eyes so that we carry that behavior for the rest of our life.
May we focus on the Creator of beauty, my friends.
Think More About It
What are the wholesome images you’re focusing on these days? Have you made a covenant with your eyes?
I love your insights and comments and appreciate your likes and shares.
