My dear readers,

(Excerpts from Building Firm Foundations, Dr SH Tow)

1. Eyes of adultery

David the shepherd king was a valiant fighter and conqueror on the battlefield. Against his own lustful eye, however,he had nodefence. While his generals were inthe frontline waging war, he remained in the palace, "taking it easy." From his roof top he saw Bathsheba taking a bath. Immediately in his heart he committed adultery with her. "Sow a thought, reap an act." His lustful eyes set off a train of events which plagued the last 20 years of his life, beginning with his stealing a man's wife, murdering her husband and covering uphissins.

It was a great day when young John gained admission to University and a place in the hall of residence. After he had settled in, his godly Mother paid him a visit. She was taken aback when she entered his room to see the walls covered with pin-ups of film actresses, models and pop singers in various degrees of undress. No godly person could live in such a room, exposed to the unceasing temptation of the sensuous pictures. The mother kept her thoughts to herself.

On returning home, she sought God's wisdom in prayer. Then she took her own portrait, beautifully mounted and framed, and sent it to her son, with this note, "My dearest John, I hope you like this portrait. Perhaps you will hang it in your room. Love. Mother." The next time she visited him, all the lustful pictures were gone: only Mother's portrait adorned the wall. "What happened to those pictures, John?" John replied, "You see, Mum, I could not have those pictures alongside yours. They would be out of place." Mother's prayer was answered.

God's word says, "That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt 5:28). So the children's hymn says, "O be careful little eyes what you see!" The lustful eye was the downfall of David and Samson, and many a "strong man." An old pastor made it his life rule not to look at women directly in the face. He actively avoided the "lust of the eyes." Prevention is better thancure!

Yield not to temptation,

Foryieldingissin;

Each vict' ry will help you

Some other towin;

Fight manfully onward,

Darkpassionssubdue;

LookevertoJesus–

He’ll carry you through!

– Horatio R.Palmer

2. Extramarital adventurism

"Everybody is doing it, nobody will know. Don’t bechicken!" This sort of persuasion clothed with a double lie has caused many a downfall. Not even the great King David could resist it, and one sin led to another and another; a whole trail of disaster followed one act. The modern setting is familiar to most: husbands away on business; lonely wives at home. Both situations invite temptation and even the strongest-willed and the least adventurous have fallen. Cover-ups notwithstanding, there is the inevitable aftermath: guilty conscience, fearsome diseases, marital conflict, and God’s wrath.

The temptation will come, sooner or later. But see that you do not fall into the snare. Be not surprised if many are travelling the broad way. Did not our Lord warn us that "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matt 7:13). It is the spirit of the age – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16). All thesebelong to the perishing world.

Child of God, what have they to do withyou? Rely not on secrecy, for one day all secrets will be revealed, and "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ …"(Rom 2:16).

Now my dear reader, are you being sorely tempted? Are friends encouraging you? These you can well do without! Your best Friend is He who saved you from sin. He is able to save you to the uttermost. Remember our Lord's promise? "Lo, I am with you alway" (Matt 28:20).His promises are "Yea and … Amen" (2 Cor 1:20). They are faithful and powerful. If He is with you, walk as in His presence! He says to you, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (Jn 10:27). Hear Him! Follow Him! Be loyal! Do nothing thatwill let Himdown.

Learn a lesson from Joseph. No one was tempted like Joseph. The situation was absolutelyideal. The enticement came daily and with increasing fervency. Excitement, pleasure, enjoyment – on a golden platter, served in style. But the Lord was with Joseph. Loyalty to Christ came first. He stood his ground and resisted with these words: "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Gen 39:9)

Finally,Godhasgivenyouawill.Letyourwill be bound to His, and yield to Him in humble submission. Have a prior commitment. Say No to sin before temptation comes knocking. God has given yourlegs.Fleeyouthfulluststherefore!Shun the lusts of theflesh like deadly poison!

Lord, I want to be like Joseph, so helpme.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor