WHEN GIANTS FALL: Living Above Lust

[Gen 3:1-5 NIV] 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

[Phl 4:11-12 NIV] 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

[Phl 4:11-12 NLT] 11 “… I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

[Exo 20:17 NIV] 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

[1Ti 6:6-8 NIV] 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

[1Ti 6:6 NASB20] 6 But godliness [actually] is a means of great gain [when] accompanied by contentment.

[Heb 13:5 NIV] 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

[Psa 23:1 NIV] 1 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

[Jas 4:2 NIV] 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

[Jhn 16:24 NIV] 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

[1Th 5:18 NIV] 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

[Rom 8:28 NIV] 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Stephen Covey in his book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” gives this startling quote: “”It’s not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurts us.” Page 151.

[Pro 7:6-9 NKJV] 6 For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, (Curtain, Window shutters) 7 And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, (This is likely a young adult) 8 Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house 9 In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night.

[Jhn 3:19 NKJV] 19 “… men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

[Luk 8:17 NKJV] 17 “nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor [anything] hidden that will not be known and come to light.

[Pro 7:21-23 NKJV] 21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. 22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, 23 Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it [would cost] his life.

[Pro 7:24-27 NKJV] 24 Now therefore, listen to me, [my] children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: 25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; 26 For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong [men]. 27 Her house [is] the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

[Jas 4:2 NKJV] 2 You lust and do not have…

[Jas 4:2 AMP] 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your lust goes unfulfilled…

[Pro 5:15-20 NIV] 15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer,[…] may you ever be intoxicated with her love. 20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife?