1 John 2:16 King James Version (KJV) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

English Standard Version

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Eye lust is brought to you by way of an old mind remembering where it first memorized God’s Word via the KJV.

Is there a difference between lust and desire? I sure hope there is or else I am in real trouble.

Eye candy is the most popular form of temptation. We see it everywhere. It is in the rack at the checkout counter of every grocery and convenience store. It is a known fact that sales are increased by the ease in which such items are placed for access.

What catches the eye is not the devil’s doing, it is a sales strategy. You cannot blame the store for wanting to increase sales.

Social media goes one step further and preys on the instincts of the dark arts of human emotions. They present a photo with a caption that indicates some salacious gossip and in clicking onto that photo you will discover a link that has nothing to do with the photo. That is called switch and bait. I know because I too have fallen for it. We all have our curiosities.

What if a link took you where you did not expect? What if it led you to a porn site? Now your eye has to deal with something you might not have chosen for yourself. When we give into the temptation of the bait and switch we have given up control of where we go and what we have to deal with.

What might seem harmless can lead us to a place of discomfort and given today’s hacking skills, it might end up in a place of danger. Ransomware exists and is not our friend.

We are supposed to be aware of the schemes of the devil and the easiest way to get drawn in where we should not tread is because of eye candy. A diabetic knows better than to buy those delicious candies at the counter. Those that are not diabetic can get there if they give in too often to those temptations. Obesity is a national problem.

Sin isn’t a national problem, it is a personal one. We do not partake just because everyone else does it. 

Or do we?

B-1

Verb

Strong’s Number: g1937

Greek: epithumeo

Lust (Noun and Verb):

akin to A, No. 1, has the same twofold meaning as the noun, namely

(a) “to desire,” used of the Holy Spirit against the flesh, Gal 5:17 (see below); of the Lord Jesus, Luk 22:15, “I have desired;” of the holy angels, 1Pe 1:12; of good men, for good things, Mat 13:17; 1Ti 3:1; Hbr 6:11; of men, for things without moral quality, Luk 15:16; 16:21; 17:22; Rev 9:6;

(b) of “evil desires,” in respect of which it is translated “to lust” in Mat 5:28; 1Cr 10:6; Gal 5:17 (1st part; see below); Jam 4:2; to covet, Act 20:23; Rom 7:7; 13:9.
See COVET, DESIRE, B, No. 2.

Notes:

(1) In Gal 5:17, in the statement, “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh,” the Holy Spirit is intended, as in the preceding verse. To walk by the Spirit involves the opposition here referred to. The verb “lusteth” is not repeated in the second part of the statement, but must in some way be supplied. Since in modern English the word “lust” is used exclusively in a bad sense, it is unsuitable as a translation of epithumeo, where the word is used in a good sense. As the rendering “desire” is used of the Lord Jesus (as mentioned above), it may be best so understood here in respect of the Holy Spirit.

(2) In Jam 4:5 the RV translates correctly in giving two questions, each of a rhetorical character, asked by way of remonstrance. The first draws attention to the fact that it is impossible for the Scripture to speak in vain; the second to the impossibility that the Holy Spirit, whom God has caused to dwell in the believer, should “long (unto envying),” epipotheo (AV, “lust”). Here again, not the human spirit is in view, but the Spirit of God; cp. 1Cr 6:19.
See LONG.

The author here uses the word remonstrance which means a forcefully reproachful protest. (yes I had to look up the meaning) This is clearly one of those subject matters that evoke strong personal emotions and cannot be boiled down to a simple definition. 

If we understand one another we will know what subjects are considered taboo and which ones need to be explored in greater detail.

My desire in these efforts on the study of lust is to help us avoid wounding one another by insisting that our understanding is more important than the relationship we have with one another.

Love does not insist on having its own way.