TEXT: Proverbs 6:16-19

SUBJECT: Seven Deadly Sins #4: Wicked Imagination

Today we continue our series on The Seven Deadly Sins. Long before the Medieval Church compiled its list, the Holy Spirit gave us this one. Every sin is bad, but some are worse than others. The ones listed here are among the worst. God "hates" them; they're "an abomination" to Him.

Thus far, we've studied "A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood". Now we come to "A heart that devises wicked plans". The King James Bible is more graphic, to be sure--and may be more accurate: "wicked imaginations".

Evil thoughts are hateful to God. In His enemies, of course. About them, Moses wrote,

But what about in His children? Are evil thoughts okay--as long as you're saved? Of course they're not. They're even worse in believers. Think about it: When I heard a boy was expelled from school for fighting, I was sad. But, had it been my boy, I would have been a whole lot sadder. God's special love for His people make our sins--not better--but worse than the sins of the world.

Do you let your thoughts run wild? Do you dwell on immoral fantasies? If you do, you must remember three things:

WHAT IS IT?

What are we talking about here? What is the "heart that devises wicked plans"? Or dwells on "Wicked imaginations"?

The commentators are not very helpful. Some are way too general; others equate it with things already covered on the list. But I think Solomon has something particular in mind. And it's not pride, deceit, or malice.

The "heart that devises wicked plans", it seems to me, is a mind full of illicit sexual thoughts.

It fits the context, to be sure. Just two verses away is a long warning against adultery--which doesn't start in the bed, but in the heart,

Other verses are to the same effect. It was our Lord who equated lust with adultery. How many people are chaste in body, but depraved in soul? Millions.

This sin is no respecter of persons. We have the little boy, snickering over the underwear ads, the dirty old man flirting with young women, and everyone in between.

This shouldn't surprise us. John says "The lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh are not of the Father but of the world".

But what is surprising--and disappointing--is how many believers are caught in the trap. It's easy to finger men and boys for this one, but don't kid yourself, women and girls are in on it too. On this point,

IS IT REALLY THAT BAD?

"If everyone does it, it can't be wrong". That's how most people think. But God is not one of them! You shouldn't be either. "Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind". In other words, don't be a sheep, but be a human. Think for yourself, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Let's see what the Lord thinks about immoral thoughts and the actions they lead to.

Start with the source. Where does rampant immorality come from? If you ask scholars, they'll say things like "the breakdown of the family, the loss of community, Court decisions on pornography" and so on. These things contribute to the problem, to be sure. But they're not the cause; they're the results.

Romans 1 tells us the true cause of immorality. The acts are described in graphic detail,

Why did this all happen? That's an easy one:

Mankind knows God and knows that fornication is wrong. But we suppress that knowledge so we can do what we want to do!

Fornication is "really that bad" because its root is the willful rejection of God.

Think also of the hurt immorality causes in this life. The disease it breeds; the illegitimacy it spawns; the hearts it breaks; the families it disrupts. How can these things be consistent with "Loving your neighbor as yourself"?

The fornicator doesn't intend to hurt others. But he still does. The man who drinks five cocktails, gets in his car, and runs over a little doesn't intend to kill anyone. All he wants is "a good time". But don't you see? His "good time" leads to her death. Fornication messes people up in body and soul. Laugh if you will, roll your eyes at me--I don't care. In the long run, you'll see I'm right. Because God says so! You will...

You'll be sorry some day. But it will be too late then to reverse the damage you've done. To yourself and to others. Why suffer needlessly? Why hurt others?

Immorality is "really that bad" it hurts people.

Wicked lust also robs us of marital happiness. God made us male and female in order to enjoy each other--in marriage. But lustful thoughts don't increase that joy; they reduce it. "Real Life" can never live up to "fantasy". Therefore, it makes what could be wonderful into a big disappointment.

Immorality is "really that bad" because it despises the gift of God and reduces the joy you would otherwise give to your husband or wife.

Think of the judgments which fell on people guilty of this sin. Think of Sodom and what it means to us--"An example to those who afterward would live ungodly" (II Peter 2:6).

Think of the Canaanites--how and why they lost their land. God says He "Vomited them out", as though they sickened Him with their evil ways. And what disgusted the LORD most? Their immorality--see Leviticus 18 for the details.

Think of the damned, shut out of heaven forever. Some of them are "sexually immoral".

Keep this in mind too: That professed believers are not safe as long as they practice these things or fantasize about them all the time.

Immoral thoughts "really are that bad". Others may excuse them, laugh at them, even cheer them on. But God doesn't. And, in the end, it doesn't matter what others think of you. But only what He thinks. And on this point, He's made Himself perfectly clear. "Flee fornication" in body and mind.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

The first thing to do is be honest with yourself: Is sexual lust your temptation? Everyone is subject to it, but not everyone is gripped by it. If it's not your big problem, thank God for that. Lust is a cruel and relentless Master. If it hasn't got you, give thanks and be humble.

But if it is your thing, take drastic measures against it. Stay away from everything that stirs your passion. That's not easy--especially in this world, gone mad with lust!

You may have to get rid of your TV. I've rented good wholesome movies--even children's movies--only to see immoral previews. Maybe you love sports--nothing immoral about that--but what about the commercials? Catering to a male audience, the sponsors tend to use beautiful girls, often in bikinis. Even the news is full of sex scandals--complete with intimate details.

The same is true of radio. I don't watch TV, but I love listening to the radio--especially sports and sports talk. But I've cut down a lot lately because it's getting more and more vulgar.

As for the Internet? I needn't tell you about it's possible harm.

If this sounds like legalism to you--it's not. If God doesn't forbid TV, radio, or the internet, then neither can I. But He does say, "Enter not into temptation". If these things tempt you--and you know if they do or not--turn them off or get rid of them.

It is better to go through life without them, than having them, to be cast into hell fire.

In the third place, keep busy. Lust is never more active than when you're doing nothing. Did you know the sin of Sodom was partly the result of having too much time on their hands? Ezekiel 16:49 says so:

This is something for parents to think about. Do your kids have enough to do? Especially in the summer? Don't give them "busy work"--that "provokes them to wrath". But make them do something worthwhile, like cleaning or cooking or keeping the yard or getting a job. These things prepare them for life--and keep their minds off things they shouldn't be thinking about!

Fourthly, spend time in prayer, the Word of God, and fellowship. If nothing else, they'll occupy your mind for a while. And, with the Lord's blessing, they will purify your mind. Not all at once, but in time.

Most of all, meditate on Jesus Christ. Think about the purity of His life. He had female friends--and some of them were prostitutes. Yet He never lusted after a woman. He

Think about a His prayers for you. He didn't ask God to "Take you out of the world, but to keep You from its evil". It's hard to lust at the same time you're thinking of His prayers.

Think about the death He died to atone for your lusts.

"Mine, mine was the transgression,

Think about His present concern for you and His will for your life. Even when you sin, "He cares for you". Does this make you bold to sin? No, but ashamed of your sins. Right now, He wants you to "Abstain from fornication, and possess your own [body] in sanctification and honor".

Remember, the One who died for you will one day judge you. "Every one of us will give an account of himself". If you're saved, the judgment does not terrify you. But it does sober you up. Remember, you're answerable to Jesus Christ.

CLOSE

Is immoral lust your sin? If it is, God "hates" it. But He still loves you and holds out an offer to mercy to everyone "Confesses and forsakes" it. Why don't you do that right now?

Look to Christ, once dying to atone for your sins. And now living to make you holy.

Because this sin is so prevalent and hurtful, let's pray for each other about it. You don't have to suspect anyone to pray for him. You needn't know the hidden things of his heart. Just pray for others. That God would keep or make them pure. Do it in faith, for this is God's will, and