Another meaningful chapter if you are trying to change your habits and your life. Lust is such a hidden for many men. If you never struggle with it, good for you! But then take Noland's advice at the end of the chapter (page 51) and "pray for your brothers, the guys in your circles, who need to take action to end their sin and addiction".
Right off the bat, Noland breaks down lust to be "trying to meet a need on our own, rather than giving the authority to God and allowing Him to meet the need in His way" (page 43). This is after stating that lust is not a sexual issue but a heart problem. He continues to go beyond the superficial and talks to the root of the problem, which is something we need to do in all areas of our lives. This may be new to many of us as we may just assume or dismiss lust as a sexual issue. Yes, it manifests itself in a sexual way, but isn't it true that it really is a heart problem (like all sin)?
A big part of the chapter is spent talking about Dawson McAllister's definition of lust: "Caring more for a woman's body than her soul" (page 45). There is such truth to that! I was always told that when you feel lust towards a woman remember that she is someone's little girl. That used to not mean all that much to me...until I had a little girl of my own! Now, that "little girl" is a 19-year-old beautiful woman, and I would be lying if I said that I am not on the look out for men leering at her when I am with her. My favourite line is: I don't mind going back to jail! ;) When you look at woman as someone's little girl, it really does change your perspective on them and it changes your thoughts towards them.
I can see a theme developing with Noland. That is of being on the offensive and not staying defensive. I like this thought a lot and want to try to incorporate it into my daily life, in all areas. If, on the offensive, you are caring for the souls of women, then you are not so much on the defensive of trying to not lust. This makes a lot of sense to me and solidifies the concept of offensive vs. defensive.
Anyway, much can be said here, and I don't want to try to say it all, but please let us all know what you think!
Right off the bat, Noland breaks down lust to be "trying to meet a need on our own, rather than giving the authority to God and allowing Him to meet the need in His way" (page 43). This is after stating that lust is not a sexual issue but a heart problem. He continues to go beyond the superficial and talks to the root of the problem, which is something we need to do in all areas of our lives. This may be new to many of us as we may just assume or dismiss lust as a sexual issue. Yes, it manifests itself in a sexual way, but isn't it true that it really is a heart problem (like all sin)?
A big part of the chapter is spent talking about Dawson McAllister's definition of lust: "Caring more for a woman's body than her soul" (page 45). There is such truth to that! I was always told that when you feel lust towards a woman remember that she is someone's little girl. That used to not mean all that much to me...until I had a little girl of my own! Now, that "little girl" is a 19-year-old beautiful woman, and I would be lying if I said that I am not on the look out for men leering at her when I am with her. My favourite line is: I don't mind going back to jail! ;) When you look at woman as someone's little girl, it really does change your perspective on them and it changes your thoughts towards them.
I can see a theme developing with Noland. That is of being on the offensive and not staying defensive. I like this thought a lot and want to try to incorporate it into my daily life, in all areas. If, on the offensive, you are caring for the souls of women, then you are not so much on the defensive of trying to not lust. This makes a lot of sense to me and solidifies the concept of offensive vs. defensive.
Anyway, much can be said here, and I don't want to try to say it all, but please let us all know what you think!
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