Today’s Blog: Stepping on Some Toes?
TODAY’S PROVERB: Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyelids. Proverbs 6:25, TLV
Okay. This may step on some toes . . . We live in a world that plays with lust. Movies, television, magazines, billboards, beauty contests, posters. As we “shelter,” we have access to all this via our mailbox, televisions, computers, and phones.
And, it 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.
Yesterday, we spoke 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 see 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, nothing to mentor them in how to enhance their spiritual beauty.
Beauty can be appreciated like 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.
During this time of isolation, let’s practice this so that when it’s all over, we carry that behavior for the rest of our life.
May we focus on the Creator of beauty, my friends.
Proverbs 6:25 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
