Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY 2ND MAY, 2022.

THEME: STOP LUSTING!

MEMORISE:  

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? 

Job 31:1

READ: Matthew 5:27 -30

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

MESSAGE

Many Christians claim not to be committing sexual sins because they are not physically having an illicit affair with anyone. However, many such persons overlook the fact that every time they allow their minds to lust after anyone, they have committed fornication or adultery, as the case may be.

Our Lord Jesus Christ summarized this truth in Matthew 5:28:

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Whatever you capture with your eyes and allow your mind to dwell upon can corrupt your entire body. Matthew 6:22-23 says that the eye is the light of the body and if your eye is evil, your whole body would be filled with darkness.

This Scripture further validates the truth that anyone who looks at someone else either physically or virtually in a lustful manner will have a body filled with darkness, even if such a person does not engage in sexual immorality physically, beloved, don’t allow your eyes to bring darkness to your body. Your body is God’s temple – it should be full of light at all times.

You have been redeemed with the blood of Jesus, please glorify God in your body and spirit since you completely belong to Him now

1 Corinthians 6:20

There are many ways by which the eyes can corrupt the whole body. What kind of movies or tv shows do you watch? What kind of things do you view on your computer or other devices? Do you peak at pictures of naked people or scenes depicting sexual immorality? You had better stop before you fill your body with darkness.

There is a Yoruba adage that says, “If you are not to eat it, then don’t bring it close to your nose”. Since you know clearly that you are not to commit fornication or adultery, why then do you indulge in viewing things that are designed to lure you into these sins? Why do you delight in things that can cause you to feel lust?

Delete everything that can cause you to lust. Discipline yourself to stop lusting altogether and remain pure indeed.

KEY POINT

Stop lusting

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 20-23

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 20: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

1 Onward, Christian soldiers, 

marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

going on before!

Christ, the royal Master,

leads against the foe;

Forward into battle,

see his banner go!

Refrain:

Onward, Christian soldiers,

marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

going on before!

2 At the sign of triumph

Satan's host doth flee;

On, then, Christian soldiers,

on to victory!

Hell's foundations quiver

at the shout of praise;

Brothers, lift your voices,

loud your anthems raise!

3 Like a mighty army

moves the church of God;

Brothers, we are treading

where the saints have trod;

We are not divided;

all one body we,

One in hope and doctrine,

one in charity.

4 Onward, then, ye people,

join our happy throng,

Blend with ours your voices

in the triumph song;

Glory, laud, and honor,

unto Christ the King;

This thro' countless ages

men and angels sing.