 Good morning everybody. Good morning. It's good to have all of us back again Am I audible Once again, yes, ma'am. Yeah, okay. Okay. Yeah, okay. Okay. I can hear you too. All right. So good morning Everyone and it's good to be here. Good to see all of you Well and early in class All one welcome to the learning students as well as we move into week 13 of our course. We're almost Trudging to the end. We just have another couple of weeks to finish the course and Yeah, so so we've been we've been looking at a lot of you know Things that help us with our emotional wholeness and we had started on with the new chapter last week on to how do we stay emotionally whole and To back up a bit we had spoken about how we can we can deal with the conquests that With the with the issues that happen in our mind and how we we see that the mind is a battlefield and how we can conquer that through through the word through the spirit and From last week we started a fresh topic on how do we crucify the flesh and one of the ways of Staying into emotional wholeness. We looked at how we can crucify the flesh So we did explain last week as to what we meant by flesh We also looked at certain scriptures that talks about how our fleshly desires and our fleshly lust Leads us to leads Leads an issue with our souls and damages our souls it harms our souls We looked at what are some of the fruits of the flesh We had a specific list that we bought out that we bought about from the verse that was given as well as from From scripture in itself. We looked at how When there are wrong seeds and roots that are wrong seeds that are sown into our lives Then that takes a root and we bear the similar fruit, you know, fleshly passions and fleshly desires we also looked at How it is important to us to be able to lay the axe to these roots to these selfish desires. We looked initially at two Specific selfish desires or selfish passions of the the self and Jealousy and today we're going to be looking at the next two as well as how we're going to get rid of these Fruits or these work of the flesh and and what do we do to to keep ourselves emotionally whole by crucifying the flesh? So first of all, we identified what are these fleshly lusts? We're looking a little bit more into detail with specific four things that generally we all may be dealing with and how do we Walk in freedom in getting rid of these works or these fruit of the flesh is what we will be covering today Okay, so we're going to move in I I spared the Misery of asking all of you. What is it that we've done? I've done that for you. So please remain awake. Stay awake keep Engaged With questions Relate things that we are we are going to be speaking about. Okay, so the the two things that we spoke about Was was self and jealousy laying the axe to the root of those Today we're going to be specifically looking at laying the axe to the root to pride and to lust okay Now this the the fact of pride is something that You know, it may not May not be manifested as easily But just to bring about initially, let's just look at what do we mean by pride? What can what is it? What what if we were to look at a definition of it? What would we say pride is? pride can be easily defined as someone who is someone with a nature of arrogance High importance to oneself The ability to continuously boast or to be able to exalt or glorify or being in a place of seeing high things big things About oneself. It is also a feeling that one is superior and Higher up then then the others okay, so the feeling of just being arrogant that you you know a lot of things that you can't be corrected An inappropriate way of looking at one's abilities or one's Skills or who they are so just being just being in a place of giving a lot more importance than what is due and also boasting about That that fact is what we can largely look at pride Now it is very When you look at the world system, it's something that's considered as probably Normal for one to think of highly of themselves and They are exalted if they are thought highly of themselves. In fact, you know in different places you will especially You know when I remember working in the corporate Field for some time and this was something that I used to be, you know People used to keep telling me you've got to make yourself visible, you know Your visibility should be high and even if you don't do things You know if you're able to blow it up out of proportion and you know flower it up and give it a lot of names That itself is good. I remember also one of my professors telling me You know to to take on PhD she said, you know, at least take it for the sake of it for the name of it and You will find that because you have the name attached to it You will find a lot of jobs a lot of opportunities But so like I said, so the world system keeps it very very normal But if we are not careful We can quickly get entrenched into this the same pattern of thought of thinking and and how we may perceive this The scripture talks about this and what is in the world and we see that in first John 2 16 It talks about three things that are in the world. It's the lust of the flesh Lust of the eyes and the pride of life. It says that is not of the father But it is of the of the world. So these are things that you will find in the world And it is in every part of our of the system that that we are in so What does pride do? It makes us feel that we are able to accomplish everything on our own abilities On our own On our own skill or dependence or things that we have. So if we aren't Careful enough it it it gets into our beliefs and it gets into our understanding and The fact is that, you know, when you look at the other two scripture talks about that is a pride the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh You you can be very cautious about about these things, you know, like lust of the lust of the flesh, for example You know Wrong motives in relationships, you know, maybe an adultery or even the lust of the eyes when you're looking at things That that you know that are that are wrong these these are you can you can be sometimes very cautious about it But pride can be a very very subtle attitude that can that can move into our lives and Make us look acceptable. Okay, but scripture does talk about how the lord hates or pride is an abomination to god and something that The god does not Like and god does not does not want in his children Why because pride is something that keeps us away from from our relationship with god and that in itself is a difficult place to be because You know god he says it's an abomination. So it's not someplace that we can even come close to So even the things that we do even as believers it can also Come as a result if whatever we do, sorry, whatever things we do worship prayer reading scripture um, you know, uh, just just being in a place of Giving to god becomes so so much more Emptied if there is pride in our hearts. So all of this needs to be done with a desire to To to build our relationship with god but And and not because and not as a motive of pride because if there is pride It says, you know, god resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. We see that in james for That he gives grace to the humble and so the the antidote to the pride to pride or to jealousy or anything that that is more self-seeking Is the fact of being humble in order to receive that grace from god. So We come to a place where we recognize Pride and these this pride has different manifestations and that's what we want to look at look at as to What are some of the manifestations of pride? um, so so we need to examine this like we said, you know, it can be extremely subtle and To really know these symptoms Of pride is it takes us to be open and to be clear about what is going on inside of us So the first one is having a stubborn nature. So when we're looking at stubbornness, we are we are looking at how someone being stubborn is is Having it their own way or wanting things their own way So when we look at stubbornness, let's look at Different kinds of stubbornness. There is also a good sense of stubbornness That is being stubborn about something about the things of god, you know about Doing the right things for god like for example You know, if we're standing on god's word for something And you know, you continue standing on it knowing that god's word has promised what it says or let's say You know, especially for us here in india, you know, when when you go into a government office in order to get something In order to get something There is often a bride that is that needs to be given to get some work of yours done But being stubborn about staying in In righteousness, okay Not compromising in it is a good sense of stubborn So you need to be stubborn about some things and unwavering about About things that belong to god or things that that you've been called to the purposes of god However, what we need to do is also being Aware that there can be stubbornness That that is birthed out of pride, you know, like for example Maybe when you know, you're in the wrong About something that that you it requires your repentance or it requires you to be To going to somebody and to be apologizing because you've heard someone And and when you're stubborn in that it comes from it, but it's birthed out from a place of pride Okay, so stubbornness is is is that which We we need to be aware of and and in different Things of life. So it is good to be stubborn about the right things though Often we end up being stubborn about the wrong wrong things and we see that the root of that is generally pride like we Refuse to be corrected Refuse to take correction correction refuse rebuke or refuse even Some form of healthy criticism The consequence of this is that it that there can be destruction. So that's one of stubbornness. The second is being arrogant now a manifestation of pride is arrogance or the fact that One is too overconfident Okay So in this you can look at it in very many examples like, you know, I often take this example about um, you know, those who have some kind of Especially when you're writing an exam, okay The sense that you can do it even without studying or you can You can you can ace it without even enough of a hard work Or or some kind of an effort that needs to be put in, you know, that's that's what would be stubbornness And that again comes from a place of pride. So, uh, what does arrogance do? It puts us in a space where we think that we know everything that we do not need Anything from anybody either the help from someone or the council from somebody Or we don't have to go through some kind of a regime or some kind of a structure Or something that's necessary for us to do to Keep up keep us in a place of effect if efficacy So this This again is something that comes out of pride and it teaches what what bible and what the scripture says is that um That the only way that we can renounce this pride or this arrogance or anything that is evil connected to that Is the fear of the lord and that's that's what we read in proverbs a 13 It says the fear of the lord is to hate evil Pride arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth. I hate So the only way is to truly fear and revere god in the things that uh, we do now even even among us as christians You know that there are there are teachings of how we need to be spiritually aggressive now spiritual Um Being forceful about you know the spirit about things of god is good, but we shouldn't confuse the spiritual arrogance with A spiritual aggressiveness So when we are trying when in our ways of being spiritually aggressive sometimes we could also become Arrogant in the sense of we feel or we think that we are doing or the best or we are the best that we may You know and and and maybe as part of our ministry We may see this is the best thing that we have in our church or there are so many things that happen in our church and look down upon Others or other ministries or other people who may be In similar places of growth So the the arrogance is what makes us think that we are better off that we have everything that is right So to being careful about that it uh, it shouldn't it shouldn't even Make us think that we have the highest in the absolute way and we need to keep ourselves away Away from that. So that's where we not we need to continue to stand on the truth of god's word So that you know, it doesn't move into a place of being arrogant about about things of of god. Okay, so that's uh, Uh, arrogance the next is a rebellion rebellion again is a manifestation of pride now. What is rebellion? it's the unwillingness to stand in submission to anyone who has been who's put in authority over us or someone who's been put in authority By god himself or by by the word or by god's people like authority of maybe of the parents of leaders um of uh of the government of uh of pastors of of spiritual leaders so Like for the example that we look as within the family parents are the god appointed authority in the lives of of children Uh irrespective of you know, how they may be it is what uh something god has instituted So we are to walk in submission Towards god's appointed authority. And uh, when we're looking at uh, uh rebellion, we're also talking about obedience Okay, but obedience Is where you are willing to submit to that authority and we say that even Partial obedience is also considered as a rebellion. So there may be times that we find we are okay to Bend or to to obey something partially especially, you know, I keep telling my kids this, you know delayed Uh obedience is also disobedience You know, you tell your child something and then you may have to tell him 10 times and then after the 12th time You know, it's just so you you remind them that even delayed obedience is disobedience so to to come to understand that Um obeying needs to happen in full and we remember the example of sol where You know to to the uh To the amylochites. Yeah, I think it was the amylochites that uh god had said to destroy All of the amylochites to destroy everything but what does sol do he keeps aside the the the good of the land as well as the Uh, some some of the animals and the livestock he keeps as well as the king he keeps alive and Samuel brings about a rebuke to him and says how God is displeased and he has rejected him from become from being king which was an active Rebellion so again, that's what we see of rebellion of being able to To obey all instructions all all things that god has put for us or the people that god has instituted for us So having said that, you know, especially when we're looking at At uh, uh, you know When we're looking at children and parents that the bible also say that we must obey parents in the lord So in situations where we do see that we are asked to do things that are contrary to the word of god We need to stand up for that. So even if it is in whatever kinds of authority You're asked to do things that is contrary to god's word. That's something that we need to also stand up to To to know that yes god has appointed these authorities over us and as we submit to them We will receive a blessing on our lives when we continue to submit to them in the lord Okay, the next is the next manifestation is being scornful The what does it mean to be scornful is to disrespect or is to show contempt to somebody else is to mock is to Maybe being being actively aggressively being sarcastic and these we see that this is How how does this manifest in maybe the commence one makes or the opinions that people have about You know this the scornful have about others They often they don't have anything that is edifying or that is good to say and they always be little or Or our derogatory in the way that they share or or say things And this again, we see being scornful comes from from A place where one sees oneself as important or higher than than others The bible speaks about this in Proverbs 1 says for scorners delight in their Scawning so and it also says surely he scorns the scornful but gives grace again to the humble So it is again a warning that scripture gives towards those who are scornful that it is something that causes trouble and causes Causes a Roth to take place another manifestation of Of pride is hypocrisy and hypocrisy is what sees when It produces a sense of self righteousness Which is what leads to hypocrisy the the fact that one becomes self-righteous puts them In a place where they judge others and they are made to think that they are better Than others without actually looking at the floor In their own lives So a hypocrite is one who keeps away his own sin While condemning the sins of the others. It's it's like what it said in scriptures, you know you You you look at the log Um in in you look at the spec in somebody else's eye, but forget the log that's in your own So getting rid of this This thing of being hypocrite hypocritical is the is also I'm sorry. Hippo being hypocritical is also a way of of judging others And discerning that people's sin is greater than than your own So you may find that you know a lot of times people do specialize in this, you know Just finding fault in others while while they don't recognize whatever Has been going on to that going on with them and we you know, it's often seen in a even in a counseling room Where there are couples sitting together and actually blaming one another About what the other has done when they are pretty unwilling to look at Whatever is going on within themselves. Okay, so being hypocritical also Comes from a place of not being willing to Lay aside the fault of the other and look a little bit more closely Into them into themselves The next one is being coralsum being coralsum is continuously Being contentious causing strife continuously, you know producing being in a place of Of Of creating strife and that generally can come through different ways by slandering others by gossiping others or by By instigating others towards towards a quarrel now all of that comes from a place of of an evil nature comes from a place of An evil way or envy that comes in okay, so that's that's the next one the manifestation that we see is Being quarrelsome the other the next one we look at is being high-minded or being exclusive so It often that comes is to that comes when one relies on their own qualities on their abilities and and the sense of being important that even There could be capabilities or personal qualifications that make them feel that they have A specific command or a or a or a class that is that is just theirs but scripture tells us to set our minds on things above and To be to learn to learn to associate with people of all kinds So being connecting being able to connect with everyone And not just feeling wise because of some things that that rule our lives So that's the the manifestation of pride is being high-minded just feeling as if one is exclusive to the rest of the world outside What happens when one is steeped in pride is it results in Definite fall and destruction in a proverb says that pride goes before destruction and a hotty spirit before a fall so that is something that That is seen that whenever there is pride Whenever whenever it is within us it defies It defiles the man and it can lead to destruction and it can lead to to great fall pride also brings about a deceptive a deceptive spirit, you know the the heart of a pride person is very deceived and they and They continue to to to be ruled in that place of wickedness or that place of Wrongdoing or those those fashions. Okay, so they and and as a result of which they they even do things that That that may be contrary so someone who had who Who's built in deception may have a lot of knowledge even about the word But being deceived means not really helping the word to transform their life So they may know everything they may pray regularly. They may read the scripture. They may You know Be all of that but not really having a difference in How that becomes an experience or becomes a reality in their life So just having that knowledge is not sufficient. It is something that needs to be experienced in that and that's what we would say When you when there is self deception that takes place pride also brings condemnation Constantly see as a result of pride is that it brings The judgment and condemnation from God, you know Paul brings that up Tells Timothy, you know, it says in 1st Timothy 3 6 Um You know pride without with pride someone would fall and the same and they would have the same condemnation as as satan as devil So it brings the same judgment and condemnation Um that that has come upon satan when when he rebelled and when he condemned and was sent out of the presence of God Yeah, so um, so these are some of the things that we see does come about from A heart of pride and to being careful of that. Okay Now before we move into the next part of lust, uh, I just want to take up any Any questions, okay, I think there's a question here can being two religious Be treated as pride Okay, so, um I think it does matter when you're saying can being two religious How does your religiosity since you've used that word or your spirituality manifest? Um scripture tells us that all things must be done in love So, uh, whether it is Even in correction Uh, or or you know in everything that we do it should be coming from a place of love and coming from a place of meekness And uh one one of the one of I think you know in last week's um message also In james we we spoke about being meek, you know Even in scripture says blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the kingdom of God In everything that we do we do out of a sense of dependency on God even even when it means um working with people in building their spirituality or building their things of God That we don't look down on people because they may not be at the same pace that we are in However, that does not keep us away from building our own Uh, um our our own selves in God, you know building that maturity is very important However, when you relate to others being kind being gracious in um in helping someone Uh grow in their spirituality. Yes, you encourage you challenge But not in a place that uh, it it comes off as as something that is offhandish or Something that's coming from a place of superiority But uh, even even the faith that we have we hold it. Um in absolute grace As we deal with other people Um Can be I hope I answered that she I think you've raised your hand for the question Yes pastor, um, um, I have a question Just to clarify question which My opinion was um You can't loss after your spouse Am I correct to say that? um So I because I feel oh you're married already. So why should you loss after your? Your own spouse is it possible for someone to loss after his own spouse? I don't know if that's correct to say Hmm, okay Okay, so I think that let's maybe let's look at the x the the meaning of lust and then you know take that question from there. It is uh It is an excessive Uh uncontrollable desire Uh a need to yearn and to crave and to long for something Uh that that also may not be yours So I I think if we were to look at the definition of it Would it would it be possible to last after after all your spouse? is your own and uh You know the relationship that shared is mutual So lust is something that is uncontrollable That is excessive And it is that passion and longing to crave for something that isn't Yours Yeah Yeah, yeah, okay Okay, um, all right. Is there any other question? Mom can you give an obsession? Sorry come again Can we call it obsession not lust if it it's it's your own and you're you know feeling that kind of You know uncontrolled desire or something? Is it obsession? So obsessions Okay. Now another word obsession Is also I mean it has different meanings when you when you look at it You know in different ways, but obsession is something That rules your mind in such a way That uh, yeah, I and I think yeah when you look at it So what is obsession something that continues to rule your mind to do something and up until the time it's done The obsession doesn't leave Okay, uh, so it it is something that that is irrational It is uncontrollable it is um It causes it causes deep sense of emotional Uh, what do you say attachment to something? So yeah, and and I think yeah in in in a great way obsessions also would be Mean to lust to want something or to do something That uh, that makes it a craving a severe craving. So I think yes obsession also In in a in a way can be lust now. I think even as I'm talking about obsession. I still also want to bring about the other side of it is that um Obsession can also be Some kind of an obsession can also be Uh a mental health issue Okay, and that is an irrationality and bringing about deep anxiety And that when when you're looking at obsession, it's something that happens multiple periods of time and it's irrational Not some and it takes so much of a hold on you that you're not able to Function normally, okay, so there is that that's why I said there are many meanings to that word in itself So obsession can also tend to be Uh, that that move into a mental health state as well So to be able to decipher that I think it's it's again like a case by case issue and something that requires a lot more of Finding about what the background And all all is okay um, so yeah, so obsession in in a natural part of the way is uh is something that That can be as a part of lust also Okay, because uh came across something like that in in a marriage Where someone you know the the husband is Uh loves the wife, but he is Not able to share her like with her own family in in the presence of other people that person feels You know not able to share His wife it feels insecure I don't know. I'm not going to use any such words insecure or something but not comfortable doing that Happy with his wife everything fine loving his wife, but In in the crowds in with even with the family, you know, there is a change of behavior and you know feeling like I I don't want to share you with anyone. So is what would you call that kind of a behavior, ma'am? Okay, so Okay, so so that again can the root of it can be very many one is it could just be Like you said just a sense of possessiveness. Okay high sense of insecurity a lack of Personal self-worth that everything seems to be attached to the person So again, we need to look at the roots of this It can also be paranoia in a paranoid, you know, someone who's paranoid about About their spouse and that again Also has a has a small twist towards A mental health condition as well. Is that paranoia? That's there. They're they're extremely suspicious doubtful About the whereabouts of their spouse and and things like that. So Where does these things come from? So these are again, you know, the the selfish desires that may come about What we are also looking at is what is the motive of it? What is the motive behind it? What is the intent behind it? So to to really answer that question I think to to have a wiser understanding Of what is the background of it? You know, it's is it is it just something like a selfish passion or is it something that's more deep rooted in in Like like being extremely possessive about something Which comes as a result of of a poor self-worth in itself or being paranoid about it or being suspicious highly suspicious highly doubtful Despite evidences against it not trusting the is that coming up from a from a From an illness perspective is something that is important also for us to Kind of tease out and understand Thank you, ma'am. Okay. Yeah, okay All right. Okay. So we're going to be looking at lust now Of how do we lay the lay the axe to the root of lust? now to to Again, what to bring about that definition is it's something it's to have an affection or a need to possess something uh, that that may not That that is fittingly not yours. Okay, and uh We see that lust is something that is the way of the world It is to fulfill whatever Your desires of your flesh and your mind comes up if it is something that you need Just go ahead and go take it. Okay. If it looks good, then you just go ahead and go conquer it And this is something that is that is commonly seen in in the world system and as as unbelievers when we were also part of an unbelieving You know season we also walked in this to really desire things of the flesh and the mind and if it is okay Like you know and and there are different ways that people explain it that if it doesn't cause anybody harm if it doesn't And and and I'm and usually you have this question, you know, especially people Who who are under masturbation or pornography? It doesn't do anybody else any harm So what what's wrong? But then it is it is the motives of the heart the lusting after over something that you would want to possess Which comes in as a wrong motivation is something that we see as sinful also we see that because of lust we have seen that there is the the very fiber of You know the the moral fiber of a community of a of of a Society also seems to be broken down because of lusting, you know people do get into extra marital affairs pre marital relationships different kinds of sexual experiences sexual addictions sexual idolatry All of this is something that That that brings about because of lust So as we're looking at this we we also see that desires Is not wrong Okay, in fact we we you know god wants us to wants to fulfill our good and healthy desires You know if we if we don't have a desire that means we're we're like zombies The bible talks about having desires that are in In line with with with gods when we desire more of god and we desire More of pleasing him even the desires that we have On on on naturally whether it comes to food whether it comes to relationships All all all begins to be purified. It comes from a from a place of purity and righteousness. Okay So yes scripture talks about in psalms It says delight yourself and the lord and he will give you the desires of your heart So the the more that your relationship with god is the right all the desires that come from after that is something that That that that is birthed out of purity. Okay, so Knowing that we need to have come into a place of having good desires now again Coming back to this and we we we did speak about this. I think two weeks ago about temptation that we see that Again, we bought this verse up in james where we said temptation is It comes it generates. It's it's when We are drawn by our own desires because of our selfish passions or because of our lust It's it's not the desire of anybody else or the or satan's desire But our own desires that are at work in trying to draw us and bring us to a place of sin And you know it weakens us and then we are unable to resist it and we are enticed in that So temptation occurs when a desire for something wrong is Is being birthed inside of us stirred up within us and brings us down it weakens us and we and We can ask to do not keep away from it to not refuse it So we need to learn to bring these desires on to subjection To god and bring them under control now. Let's look at some of the lusts of the flesh or how how does this What are some of the ways that it gets played out? The lusts of the flesh will include things like the desire for For things that satisfy our flesh. So that could be food That could be substances anything that we we begin to consume Okay, and this would also mean in the area of our sexuality sexuality also So, you know, I and I think it's it this is such a fine line We sometimes forget we look at people who lust after alcohol or substances or People but even for food. Okay having that uncontrollable desire for food. So That that again is something, you know, we When it takes on The place of god when anything that takes on the place of god, it becomes idolatry So food in itself is something, you know, we've got to be careful about Let's look at what the manifestations of Of of this off lust can be is Like we spoke about, you know, these desires that become compulsive um when when What when is it that it becomes compulsive is that? When certain habits becomes more than what is desired or what is needed for us like for example simple things like maybe shopping or Entertainment or things that That pertain to maybe even sleep, you know having having too much of it when it when it becomes too Much of of what is what is supposed to be Supposed to be had when when when you when it is unnecessary It becomes a compulsive habit like for example, maybe Some kind of form of an entertainment. I think a good one is the phone Where does it become compulsive is the desire to keep looking at it? Even when there isn't a need to or having it apart from from the actual Functions of it maybe taking a call or doing your work on it or communicating to somebody But when when it goes into constant browsing constant checking of status constant checking of pictures constant looking into You know entertainment that again becomes a very compulsive part of it and that traps us and holds us as slaves and You know it begins to be something that holds us in bondage and unless we admit that you know, you're lusting there It it probably you know to recognize that it you're lusting there We are not able to break or break out of it the next Manifestation that we see is like we said this perversion sexual perversion now. We see that God designed sexuality as something good and he created it for Created it as pure and created it for something to be enjoyable within marriage. It was something holy and there's Absolutely nothing Wrong with the way that it was designed and created by God, but it was given for a specific For for a specific institution of marriage, but when there are unnatural Sexual desires or pleasure that God did not design that becomes accept unacceptable before God and that begins to bound people in that last of the flesh in the areas of their sexuality and we see that You know is It's written in scripture of the ungodliness and the unrighteous acts of man Which which which part of it and it talks of how sexual idolatry those those who engage in it will not Inherit the kingdom of God on this that is there is a repentance in it And so also other forms of sexual perversion any kind of immorality premarital sex That which is outside of marriage adultery homosexuality incest Beastality, I mean that there is a whole range of it. All of this is unacceptable before God and this is Sexual perversion added into sexual perversion is also fantasizing about sexual experiences where where one may not be physically committing the act but Is within within their own fantasizing about different things So that becomes the last of the flesh and that is again That's unacceptable. So even using things to gain sexual pleasure Even when there isn't a physical experience with the spouse is also sexual perversion or being in bondage to Habitual masturbation is one more example of sexual perversion and these are things that may hold one In in this bondage because it continues to create strife and confusion within the mind The other we see is the lust lust of the eyes one of course common examples of his pornography and as believers also many people do get entrapped into pornography because this material or almost Is available everywhere, you know, either in a system or you walk out into Onto the street on a billboard or reading up a newspaper You know everything all images that you that you look through look through Indicates Something that entraps you into pornography. Okay, and that's something again guarding ourselves and our hearts against this because All engaging in all of this brings about emotional Ill health emotional Brokenness and emotional entrapment. So so knowing that keeping away from all of this not just keeps you away from from sin in itself But also these are all things these fleshly lust Damage the soul it brings about issues in the soul. Okay, or even filthy thoughts or fantasies filthy thoughts and fantasy fantasies are again a part of the lust of the eyes and the flesh And we are encouraged to think about things set your affection on things above on things that are pure on things that are true Things that are noble things that are clean. That's what we read in philippines for eight That is also the fascination that one may have about looking at People who are attractive And this is something, you know, often You know, this is something that probably is something each one of us have at some point Thought off or done and feel that it's okay, but You know, we're not able to keep away from looking at those who who are good-looking now. It is okay to to To Appreciate beauty but not in a not in a way that you become fascinated and keep looking for You know for for people who may be Good-looking or who may be who may be a lot more attractive Next is covetous covet being covetous covetous desires are those that Is a desire where you where you want something that somebody else has And so whatever it may be that that they may have It is important to to to realize that there is that it is an idolatry when you're looking for something You have a desire about what something else that someone someone else has and we do see that that's one of the commandments that god gave The israelites as well Because it it's a form of idolatry that allows a desire for something else to take the place of god or takes the The the rightful place that god has so an idol is anything that comes between god and us and and where that Relationship of god is is tarnished So it could be it could be an object. It could be People it could be an affection it could be even And you would see that this this sense of covetousness is seen as spiritual adultery Where god's place is taken for any other idol that comes by Say similar in in the area of lust is also the desire for money for fame for influence for position They also become certain places where our affection or desires Go into and this again become different things that you lust after You know, this was the these were some of the the kind of influences that That the temptation that satan brought to eve, right? So he says of you know, doesn't the the tree look good the good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes It's desirable, you know, and and also, you know, you will become more more like god and it will make you wise So these are things that again we guard ourselves from from having this desire for for these kind of things and A few more is, you know, being worldly or having grieve the need for having more things to amass either wealth or or different different things That that that you would like to keep for yourself now when we look at money Or, you know, having a house of things. It's not wrong in itself But it is the love of it or the craving of it that becomes wrong So god does desire to prosper us as his people But but in our desire for those blessings if we have we have strayed away from The giver himself. That's what again becomes Becomes like like lust as well There are there's also other other Things like like youthful lust when we look at you know, scripture talks about it flee from youthful lust But but flee flee youthful lust, but pursue righteousness. So when it comes to these lusts You know, there are a huge there are probably very many lists that can be You know ungodly music that can be ungodly entertainment That can be television You know video games Playstations chat rooms are so many right now. There are there is a whole list of things that can that can come about, you know, even things about getting Certain articles on towards the body the skin, you know tattoos and and Earrings and all of that, you know, all all of this is Again, we're looking at the motive behind it as to what is it? What is it to what does it bring about? Is it bringing about a lot more attention to oneself? The factor of desirability now these are things that again Scripture is is warning warning us of well, what does Okay, I think we are we Above time. Okay. So let's let's break for for 10 minutes and come back We will resume at my in my clock. It's 10 54. We will resume in 10 minutes. We'll be back at 11 54