We started the week by emphasizing that lust starts in the HEART.  Jesus told us that so we know it's true.  The Apostle Paul nailed the point home with this extended statement about the origin of lust (and a number of other sins) as well as the solution to overcoming them:  ⁵So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.   ⁶Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming,    ⁷You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.   ⁸But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.   ⁹Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.   ¹⁰Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.   ¹¹In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized  slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 

In short, Paul said, "Lust and many other sins originate on the inside (Jesus would say--in the heart)."  Paul also tells us we are to put them away, put them off, and to put on the new nature and be renewed as we learn to know our Creator and become like Him.  He tells us this new nature is part of  the new life we have received (from Jesus) and that once we receive it all worldly distinctions, such as Jew or Gentile, are set aside, because CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS, AND HE LIVES IN US.  I emphasized this last statement because as we've pointed out throughout this series of posts, Jesus is the ONLY solution to lust and the rest of the deadly sins.  The key is for us to live IN Him and to let Him live IN us!

Take some time to review Paul's statements to the Colossian Christians, and see where you need to have God work in you.  Then ask Him to work!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thanks for all You are and all You have done in us through the Holy Spirit!  Fill us anew right now, that we may enjoy Your grace and extend Your glory in all we are and do.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.