Rubbish [?r?-bish]: Noun. 1. useless waste or rejected matter; 2. something that is worthless or nonsensical
The "Little Red Lizard" of Lust
This series called “and other utter rubbish” will cover statements and ideas we hear in daily life. I’ll ponder what we do with those within the framework of our Christian principles. I decided to call this series “and other utter rubbish”. partly because I think it sounds cool and partly because the word “rubbish” points to the “rejected matter” and “nonsensical” nature of these statements. Today “I can look as long as I don’t touch or act on this”. Is this statement “Utter Rubbish” ?
As men in the workplace, all of us have undoubtedly heard that statement at one time or another. Or even when we’re out with friends, Christian or not, we’ve seen the eyes wander, the taps on the arms or the motioning of the head. I even had an acquaintance once label a young woman at the workplace as “his favorite” when she came walking down the office aisle. Or how about this one, by far my favorite, “It’s not because I’m on a diet that I can’t look at the menu”. Ever heard that one ?
But for some us, it’s not limited to attractive people of the opposite gender. How about that brand spanking new sports car that just passed you at speeds that would make the Blue Angels jealous ? That definitely has been my weakness lately as I drive my weekly 3-hour commutes in my old truck. I’d love to be able to zoom down I-35 in a comfortable brand new vehicle. And as they pass me by, my mind starts to wonder. “What would the monthly payment be on that ? Can we afford that ? What can I give up to be able to afford that ?”
All of these examples are blatantly and purely lust. Let me say it again, they are lust. Lust for physical pleasure or comfort in some shape or form. There are too many passages in Scripture to even start in this short blog, but perhaps two episodes will ring a bell.
One from the Old Testament: David, accidentally, sees Bathsheba bathing across the street. As such, not a big deal. But then his mind ponders, wonders and races, with all the consequences thereof. (2 Sam 11:1-27)
In the New Testament, perhaps less obvious, we see the story of the rich young man, who is too attached to his comforts to let go. He lusts after his material belongings and puts them higher in his priorities. Once again, we know the consequences as he walks away from the Kingdom. (Matt 19:16-22)
Scripture clearly teaches us any form of lust is wrong. Christ speaks about it so strongly that He advises us to gouge out our eyes and tear of our limbs lest they should lead us astray ! (Matt. 18:7-9). Strong language that should make us ponder the severity of succumbing to lust.
C.S.Lewis wrote about the “little red lizard” of lust quite astutely in “The Great Divorce”. In the passage, the bearer is so attached to his lust that he is torn about letting it go. He is worried that giving up his lust would kill him. The angel, much to the anguish of the bearer of the lizard, ultimately kills the little creature, thereby transforming the bearer to a new being. In essence, the bearer dies when lust is killed, but is re-born as a new person, ready to ride into the kingdom.
So, what’s your “little red lizard” ? Sexual lust ? Material desires ? Your job ? Finances ? Kids ? I invite you to ponder what your “little red lizard” may be. Then invite Him to come and kill that lizard and remove the burden of your lust. Only then will we be ready to serve Him and join Him in the Kingdom.
Image Courtesy of Resurrection Life Ministries