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I know this is a lot of words.  I only say that because I know the lazy approach people have to learning today.  If it isn’t a short text on your cell phone, you’re not likely to read it.  I’d say I’m sorry.  But I’d only be sorry that you’re too lazy to read the entire thing.  All the more is your personal loss.  “Come on!  You can do it!”  I promise you, it’s worth it.

Two men appeared in the police station at 11:02 am.  The first went to the desk and said, “I have murdered 12 people and I am here to turn myself in and make a full confession.  I accept what’s coming to me.  I want to solve this issue.”  The police processed the man and took him to the rear of the station to be questioned.  In the course of the next year the man was tried, convicted and put to death.

The second came up to the desk and said, “I am innocent of any wrong doing.  You say that I am wanted for murder.  But I came in here to tell you it’s a lie.”  They took his information and took him also to the rear for interrogation. In the course of the next year the man retained a great lawyer and was pronounced innocent.  Later on, however, he was right back into the same lawless behavior as before.  He was killed in an attempted robbery on March 23^rd at 11:03 pm that next year.

What’s the difference between the two?   Don’t look at the obvious.  The first knew that he was sick and needed to begin the process of healing, both for his sake and the sake of society and the families involved.  Was he scared?  Of course he was.  But he did what needed to be done.  In the end, we can say he was not a coward.  The second appeared to clear his name, regardless the truth of the matter.  Was he scared?  Maybe, but he was pretty sure he could beat the systems of man.  He had money and knew a man who was wicked enough to defend him.  Both are dead.  But only one of them could possibly be called righteous.  Because he had done what was right.

I present these two people to make a point that many miss.  Look at this scripture.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

The scripture comes from Matthew.  Jesus is making a point that most people never quite understand.  Mention this text in a group and you’ll hear a variety of responses.  Some gasp at the thought of plucking their own eyes out, or cutting off their hands.  Others will be enjoying their own lusts because the word adultery provoked them to wicked thoughts. And some will laugh at the ridiculous nature of the proposition.  “Surely the Lord doesn’t want us to maim ourselves to get rid of temptation.”  Come on now!  We all know what he was talking about.

It is to the last I will respond.  You’re right!  God does not want that kind of sacrifice.  And, let’s be real.  How is not having an eye or a hand possibly have a positive effect on lust? You’ll still have a brain.  And isn’t that where the problem really is?   And how will the ensuing pain and trauma help you?  Not to mention that you will have caused those around you far more trouble than is necessary.  Your body doesn’t have a mind of its own that is separate from the single brain in your head. Nobody has two or more brains.  You don’t find the source of lust in your eyeball.  And it’s not your hand that desires what you shouldn’t EVER desire.  The lust is in the heart (mind, desire, rebellion, and folly).  I realize I could be wrong here.  If any of you has a brain in your index finger, or some other unexpected spot on your body, please show it to me and I’ll retract this idea of a single brained humanity.  Please, no doctored photos.  I’m looking for proof that you have more than one brain.  (Legalize provided here to promote the ambiance of truth over these words)

Instead of trying to conquer your sins by your own strength, no matter how radical your plan might be, submit your whole body, mind, and soul to God. How?  Do what the first man did.  Present yourself to God and confess everything.  Admit everything you’ve done and wait for the verdict.  Admit that you’re guilty!  Be ready to die for what you have done.  Get your house in order and prepare to be put to death.  A fake or incomplete submission to God does absolutely no good.  A “cutsie” little prayer is just that, “cutsie little words”.  Surrender yourself entirely and willingly.  Then get ready to be surprised.  God is not what you think He is.

What have you done, in this age of porn that has rendered success?  Look at the TV, billboards, magazines, smut on the radio, and the talk of wicked men and women all around you.  Look at how enticing they all are.  The world is bent to destroy you if you let it.  And without God’s help, you’re a fool just standing still for wickedness to come pick off.   If you are a man, I know what you face.  Women are taught from childhood to dress themselves in enticing ways.  And they’re all over the place!  This was not God’s desire for woman.  But it is what presents itself before us.  If you are a woman, you’ve been misled to think that you can play that game without consequences.  WRONG!   Women, you might not even consider that you’re adding to the troubles of men.  But isn’t this because you haven’t thought it through?

In this point, I urge all Christian men and women to consider the plight of those trying to escape this horrible sickness of soul.  Consider how you appear for the sake of others.  Do you really need to dress like that?  Do you really need to look enticing in order to be acceptable?  Isn’t it God’s desire that all women do such things only for the sake and pleasure of their husbands?  If you feel that you need to play dress up to be acceptable then keep it between you and your husband! Otherwise, present a godly woman to society.  Let that be enough.  And men, do you really need to tempt that woman with that “come on” look?  Did you really need to tempt anyone to be acceptable? Do you absolutely need to allow your tongue (or any other body part) to entice others?   Dress yourselves for the sake of the Holy God you serve.   Have mercy on the weaknesses of those around you!  Woe to those from whom temptation comes.  What was that God said about a millstone?  The guy who remembers that part about the millstone is likely on his way to the bottom of the ocean.  And like the dog in the bean commercial, he’s not telling anybody.  You think this is too harsh a statement?  Do you think the use of the word “enticing” is out of place?  Don’t listen to the lies you’ve been taught.  You too, submit yourselves to God’s inspection.  He will show you what I’m talking about here.

Ok, enough preaching to the choir.  Let’s get back to the item at hand.

What are you going to do to rid yourself of a temptation that you’ve not been able to crush?  Who can rescue such a man or woman?  GOD CAN!  It is only God who can change the central problem.  Only God knows the exact place in you that is causing this difficulty.  How can man change his heart of an animal (And worse, because an animal does not sit up all night pondering how to satisfy unnatural behavior.) to that of a godly man?  Don’t look to anything else for help.  Don’t go in for man’s means.  In the remedy of this problem, psychology is psycho.  They promise that they can fix you up.  LIE!  The doctors and nurses that treat you can’t see the central part of you that God can.  And you’ve had absolutely NO effect on the problem. Why give your hard earned money to a people who can’t deliver what they promise?

Lust is a crazy animal.  It has no regard for what you desire in the way of healing.  All it wants is to destroy. All it wants is everything it can get.  And if left unchecked, you will commit murder on top of a lust for flesh.   GET OUT NOW!   And don’t think that you’re too good of a person to resist the end result of unchecked lust.  You’re just as able to murder as you are to commit sexual immorality.  Laugh if you will.  It is your laugh that proves I’m right.  Think about it.

You are about to face a rather nasty side of the Living God.  And all for nothing.  You could have listened and allowed Him to conquer this problem years ago.  Do you know what John 3: 18 has to say?  “The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.”  Did you know that you are already condemned?   Do you think to yourself that you are able to stand the judgment of God?  It’s already been convened.  You’ve been judged lacking and are to be destroyed.  And, unlike that second criminal, you won’t be able to manipulate the judge.   All men, without the sacrifice of Jesus and the cleaning only He can do, are going to be destroyed.  Before you is the answer.  Turn to Him and He will cause you to live a life worthy of entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Eternity is a long time to be dead.  Ok.  Now you’ve heard it again.  Now go do it.

And folks, don’t miss this point:  What I’ve just said applies to ALL sins!  We will give account to a Holy and Righteous God.  I can tell you a truth, you don’t want to appear before Him unwashed of the crimes that He now holds against you!  Oh!  How you will wish that you had turned yourself in!  How desperately you will wish that you had submitted yourself to Him so that He could teach you how to live a godly life.

Heaven isn’t a fairy tale.  Heaven is an eternal, clear, pure, and certain reality.  What you are here is going to be what you are there.  Want more proof of what I’m saying?  Here:

Rev 21:8 “But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death.”

Father in heaven, I have written this.  It is my hand and mind which have understood these words.  I submit myself to you for cleansing.  Do with me as is fitting.  May Your Holy wisdom and understanding strike what is wicked within me, lest after preaching to others I too encounter the promised banishment.  You are not joking about these things.  Of all the serious nature of serious things in this world and the world to come, we take Your word as the singular truth.   In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.