The prayer meeting was different today. The presence of God was heavy. Some brethren from the church were discovered in sexual sins. They repented but the pain was lingering on the congregation. This evening we forgot about our pain and entered in the pain of the Lord. We confessed and repented of the sin of lust and fornication. We confessed and repented of the sin of grieving the Holy Spirit. We ‘joined’ king David in prayer and song: “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord…and renew a right spirit within me…Cast me not away, from Your presence, O Lord…Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me…Restore unto me, the Joy of Thy salivation…and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps 51). Then the sermon followed…

“No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.

Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!” (2Sam 13:12-15)

THE SIN OF LUST

Amnon is King David’s oldest son. He is the heir to the throne. For many years he was groomed that one day he will be the next king of Israel. Surely, he had private teachers. Among others, he learned Hebrew language, diplomacy, history, religion, the science of war and athletics. He had great dreams. But his story is sad beyond words. Just like Esau, who sold his birthright for a plate of stew, Amnon lost it all for five minutes of sexual pleasure. Yes, this is his story, his tragic fall from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the sea. He is known to the generations of believers as a wicked fool. Amnon’n sin destroyed the life of his sister, Tamar. Absalom killed him and promoted himself as the new heir to the throne. …..

What can we learned from this tragedy? The sin of lust is a sin of the heart. It stays invisible for a long time. Without repentance it will destroy a man, no matter how great he is. It becomes a slow poison and a bitter root for which men have no cure.

Some of the worst sins happen at home (rape, incest, abuse in marriage, bullying and siblings rivalry). Lust is attracted by ‘beauty’. Remember, once in eternity, the devil perfect in beauty, for God made him so (Ez 28:12).

Who commits the sin of lust? Lust is committed by ‘wicked fools’ like Amnon. Lust is a sign of immaturity; it is passionate impatience; like a spoiled child he says ‘I can’t wait! I want it now!’ The demon of lust is called to replace boredom, anxiety, laziness, sickness, loneliness. Lust is connected with bad friends: worldly, smart, entertaining; they tell you what you want but do not care about your soul, ministry, testimony or destiny.

Amnon did not care about Tamar, about her reputation or dreams of marriage. Lust is utterly selfish, not sensitive to the needs, desires or pains of another. Tamar pleaded with her brother to forget about his crazy desire. But he refused to listen for lust is stubborn like witchcraft.

Lust is extremely short –sighted, better said blind to the future consequences: Deception; Disgrace; Division and Death. Lust promises great things but it is a traitor. Lust does not satisfy. Amnon lost his crown and his life for five minutes of pleasure. The more you feed lust, the stronger it becomes (Rom 13:14). Dwelling in lust will lead to sinful activity! Remember this: Thoughts have consequences! Once you chose a path to go, you will not be able to control the consequences!

Lust is counted as a work of darkness. It is ugly, unclean and shameful! Tamar tore her princess dress and ran away naked.  Mathew Henry, a great man of God said this: ‘when a child of God talks about lust or the unfruitful works of darkness he should blush’ (Eph 5:8-13). Lust ends in death (Jam 1:13-15)!

What is the solution? The only remedy given to man is the Cross of Jesus Christ!!! The Blood shed on the Cross is the only chemistry that can cleanse a sinner. Come to Jesus! Come as you are! Come believing! Come worshipping God!

In Christ I declare:

I died to sin, to the world, to the flesh!

I am alive to God!

I no longer live but it is Christ who lives in me!

I plead the Blood of Jesus upon my body, soul, spirit, marriage, children, ministry and destiny!

We preach Christ crucified!

In Jesus name

Amen!