“Lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell and would root out all I have planted… It would completely ruin my life’s work…it would burn to the root all my increase… it would have uprooted my harvest” (Job 31:11, 12; NLT; ETR; ESV; NIV)

Lust is an extremely expensive ‘hobby’. Even if you are a millionaire, you end up a beggar. It is the door to mysterious poverty, no matter how hard you work!

Job was a righteous man. He was also the richest man in the world at that time. One of the secrets of his wealth was his desire to be free from sexual sins. We may not connect sex with money, but the Word of God can never lie. If Job was alive today, I would have liked to listen to his sermon; how he was able to apply the Word of God, remain faithful, humble and increase in wealth.

Job tells us that sexual lust has the capacity ‘to uproot my harvest’. In Hebrew, this word means ‘employment, income, increase, profit or fruits’. It is similar with the words ‘entrance’ or ‘spiritual warfare’.  This is a great lesson here. Sexual sins are a major source of poverty all over the world. Lust is like bad body odor. The man does not perceive it but others do. Nobody will like to hire ‘a stinking’ man. Spiritually, the man addicted to lust is marked for failure. He shall not be able to find a good job. Even if he has a job, and even if he works hard, he shall not able to enjoy the work of his hands. He shall be sacked just before promotion. There shall be no profit in business and no savings in the bank.  Lust is a fire that destroys any hope of a new beginning, genuine friendship, victory or promotion.

If you are an unbeliever, you may laugh at this. But if you are a believer, you shall accept this wisdom. According to the Bible, there is a simple formula: Sex within the marriage is blessed by God and brings favor and wealth. Lust and adultery brings poverty. The connection is spiritual, therefore invisible. But it is stronger than the ropes of a mighty ship. Many fools ignored it and wrecked their lives.

“Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes; for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread and the adulteress preys upon your very life” (PV 6:25, 26)

A man addicted to lust shall remain a miserable and hated man: a trouble- maker that nobody wants to help; lonely, poor and wretched all his days. Except he makes peace with God! The only hope is found in Christ alone. There is need for genuine repentance, confession and even restitution. Prayer and deliverance has to be done under the leading of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus!

But for you who are a child of God, free from the bondage of any known sin, blessed are you! The pure in heart shall see God! This is the holy declaration of our Lord! You live in the Land of Promise, escorted to heaven by angels, satisfied with the Bread of life, drunk with the wine of His presence and spreading everywhere the fragrance of your Lord. This is destiny fulfilled! There is no gift greater than that! God shall supply all that you need, and even more, out of His overflow of His glorious riches found only in His Beloved Son!  Let’s give glory to the Lamb upon the Throne who died that we may live! He that offers abundant life sends you greetings from above!

In Christ I declare:

I am free from sin and shame!

God is my provider!

I shall not want!

My children shall never beg bread!

The work of my hands is blessed!

My harvest is insured by the Word of God!

I live to worship God!

In Jesus name

Amen!