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The story of the Trojan Horse, rooted in Greek mythology, is a story that depicts deception, hidden intentions, and an ultimate downfall. As a result of deception, the Trojans unwittingly allow the enemy to enter their fortified wall. Unfortunately, you and I sometimes unwittingly fall prey to deception and invite the enemy in. Find out more about this in today’s message.

In the tale of the Trojan Horse, the Greeks build a giant wooden horse and present it as a gift to the city of Troy. The Trojans, believing it to be a symbol of peace, welcome it within their fortified walls, unaware that Greek soldiers lie hidden inside, poised for attack. Under the cover of night, the soldiers emerge, wreaking havoc from within and ultimately leading to Troy’s ruin. This powerful narrative depicts the way lustful thoughts infiltrate our minds. When lust is left unchecked, it can take residence in our hearts, biding its time before striking from within.

At some point in life, if not throughout all of life, nearly all people are confronted with the battle against lust. Lustful thoughts are often ignited by sexually explicit television shows, movies and rampant access to pornography. Lustful thoughts often present themselves subtly, masked by innocence or curiosity. Like the Trojan Horse, these thoughts can initially appear harmless, perhaps even alluring. They appeal to our natural instincts, disguising their true intentions behind the veil of desire, curiosity, or pleasure. Initially they may seem manageable. Again, like the Trojan Horse we sometimes underestimate the power these thoughts can wield once they gain entry.

The 1971 song Smiling Faces Sometimes Tell Lies by the group Undisputed Truth include these lyrics, “Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within.”  Likewise, lust disguises the evil lurking within.

Once lustful thoughts are established within the heart, they can manifest themselves in destructive ways. They compromise our inner peace and moral compass, gradually altering our attitudes toward ourselves and others. Like the Greeks who sprang forth in the dead of night, lustful thoughts attack from within when we are most vulnerable, catching us off guard.

One of the best ways to deal with lust is to catch it early before it sneaks inside. Lust can enter into our minds and hearts through all five of our senses, but its preferred way of entry is through our eyes. Therefore, we must maintain strong custody over our eyes.

Matthew 6:22-23 states, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness.”  William Shakespeare said it this way, “The eyes are the window to your soul.”

We must remain alert to everything that enters through our eyes. Our eyes can open the gate to lust for many things like power, wealth and pleasure. Our eyes can also lead to envy and coveting. But above all else, our eyes can lead to sexual lust. This is especially true when it comes to viewing pornography.

Christianity has always recognized the eyes as significant in the struggle against sin. Jesus placed emphasis on the profound connection between sight and moral integrity.

In an all-too-common phrase, it’s not unusual today to hear someone who is attractive referred to as “eye candy.” We must always remember that everyone is created in God’s image. Jesus taught that purity begins in the heart and that even looking at someone with lust is akin to committing adultery in one’s heart (Matthew 5:28). By guarding our eyes, we aim to keep our hearts pure.

The easy accessibility of pornography through the internet and smartphones has contributed to widespread use among all populations, including Christians. In the United States, 69% of men and 40% of women view online porn each year. That number rises to 77% for Christian men between 18 and 30. Nine out of ten boys and six out of ten girls are exposed to pornography online before the age of 18. 32% of Christian men in this age group admit to being addicted to pornography, and another 12% think they may be. Young woman are the fastest growing group becoming addicted. 54% of teens say that they’ve seen online pornography by age 13, including 15% who say they had seen pornography before age 11. Pornography addiction has become an epidemic within Christianity. Its destructive impact is widespread. So, what can be done?

It seems that everywhere I travel to put on retreats, men and woman are telling me that porn has become a problem in their lives. That is why I try to address it at least once every year.

Here is a short list of some practical ways to maintain custody of your eyes, especially in the context of sexual lust and the dangers of pornography.

• Mindful Media Consumption: Be selective about the movies, TV shows, websites, and social media you engage with. Choose content that aligns with your Christian values and avoids explicit or suggestive material.
• Honesty: If porn has taken hold in your life, be courageous and tell someone. Don’t let shame hold you back. Admitting the problem is the first step in recovery.
• Accountability: Find a trusted friend or mentor to discuss your struggles and successes with. Accountability partners can provide support and encouragement.
• Support Groups: If you feel that you have become addicted to sexual lust and/or pornography, consider the benefits of joining a support group, either online or in person.
• Prayer and Scripture: Regularly pray for strength and guidance. Meditate on scriptures that emphasize purity and self-control, such as Philippians 4:8 and Psalm 101:3.
• Professional Counseling: When appropriate seek the guidance of a trained professional.
• Brain Science: Make use of the many recently discovered tools to reprogram the brain.
• Avoiding Triggers: Identify and avoid situations or environments that may lead to temptation. This might include certain places, times of day, or activities.
• Focus on Inner Beauty: Train yourself to appreciate and focus on the inner qualities of people rather than their outward appearance. This can shift your perspective and reduce the temptation to look lustfully.
• Engage in Positive Activities: Fill your time with activities that are uplifting and fulfilling, such as hobbies, volunteer work, or spending time with loved ones.
• Use Technology Wisely: Utilize apps and tools that help filter content and provide reminders to stay focused on your goals.
• Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on the blessings in your life and the beauty of God’s creation. This can help shift your focus away from superficial attractions.

I have an illness that for a period of time caused me to be completely blind. It took ten years to recover my sight. My blindness and visual difficulties brought into focus the gift of sight. So much of our world is influenced through what we see. Our vision is one of God’s greatest blessings, but it can also be one of our biggest stumbling blocks. Let’s be sure to use our eyes wisely.

I will close with this verse from Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”

Heavenly Father, our eyes are the window to our soul. Help us to use our eyes wisely. Strengthen us in our resolve to live chaste lives. Amen!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT SEEKING HELP

If you, or someone you care about is struggling with or addicted to pornography or other sexual sins, you or they can call or email me confidentially. With a caring non-judgmental heart, I will do everything within my ability to help or I will try to guide you/them to a resource or professional that can. In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “He who is alone with his sin is utterly alone!”

AMDG 

 I always love to hear from you. You can email me by clicking here.

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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