Lust

Introduction:

· Lust: “Desire in overdrive” – usually as sexual desire (but also relational)

· Cultural Contradictions: anything goes AND “relationship” in pornography (Salvation & HSN)

· A sex sermon? Prudish. But no – lust is in fact the distortion of something  good.

HOW DOES IT TWIST SOMETHING GOOD INTO SOMETHING HORRIBLE? TWO WAYS.

I) How Does Lust Twist What is Good?

A. Lust Distorts Desire into Abuse of Power

i. Context: This section is what is known as “Court History” (ch. 9-23)

1. Linguistic similarities link this story to the one previous to it.

2. King David’s lust, sexual violence & murder à this infiltrates his family

ii. Amnon’s Desire Reflects our Longing for Great Beauty

1. supermodel family: David, Absalom, Tamar (vs. 1)

2. “Faltering, stuttering language” emphasizes his desire (vv. 3-4)

3. Song of Songs: Palm Tree; Raisin cakes, lovesick

4. APPLICATION: Lust: not attraction to something disgusting but beautiful

iii. yet this desire for Beauty is warped into abusive appetite (vv. 11-14)

1. The twisting around is seen as Amnon uses violence to overpower

2. APPLICATION: A jogger on a trail, cat calls, à fear

B. Lust Distorts Covenant Love into Selfish Gratification

i. Sexual Desire is right and appropriate in marriage (“brother” – 11x, “sister” 8x)

1. Repeatedly the author emphasizes the familial nature of their relationship

2. marriage may have been an acceptable but not this disgrace (vs. 13)

ii. Sexual desire is meant to be about vulnerability that requires covenant

1. Sex = total self-giving–that requires vulnerability & covenant

2. Amnon turns vulnerability around and uses it as a weapon (vv. 6-10)

3. Why? Lust has no interest in vulnerability but only power & desire

Transition:

II) What are the Consequences of Lust

A. Lust Dehumanizes the ones whom we desire

i. The Depersonalization of Lust

1. Sex is the most relational experience: delighting in another, self-giving  

2. From a “Tamar” “it”: Tamar was nothing more than an object (vs. 17)

3. ILLUSTRATION: The Simpsons

ii. APPLICATION:

1. Porn: not a woman with hopes and fears, longings … an object to consume

2. If you fixate on someone who gives you attention in your imagination…

B. Lust Fuels a Consumer mindset

i. Lust is only masquerading as love (vs 15)

1. Amnon discards Tamar once his evil is done (vv. 15-19)

2. Why? Lust consumes, and the veil drops: Lust wasn’t love but hate

ii. Those wounded by lust can feel the shame & disgrace (vv. 16-20)

1. Why does Tamar feel such shame? She did nothing wrong

2. YET: Abused as a child; or mistreated…you feel dirty, wrong

Transition:

III) How do we Heal from the Damage Lust inflicts

A. We Fight against Lust

i. Cut lust off at the heart

1. David & Amnon should have fought at first sight (see Mt. 6:27-30)

2. APPLICATION: “What need am I hoping to fill?”

ii. Fight lust in community

1. Lust thrives in secrecy so accountability can

2. Friendships can meet our need for companionship & relationships

B. We seek Healing From Lust

i. Jesus exchanges our shame for his glory

1. Tamar is surrounded by one who acts to protect – a grace (vs. 20)

2. Jesus trades our shame for glory, beauty for ashes, robes for rags

ii. Jesus is the King we need

1. David is furious – but does nothing

2. He is the king who gives his life to make his bride beautiful, to love us like no other

Transition:

Conclusion

John Donne