We've all heard that it is healthy to vent your anger rather than bottling it up. While this may seem logical on the surface it isn't biblical, and recent studies show it isn't true. Venting your anger actually makes you angrier.
LINK: Why venting actually makes you angrier
Lust is very similar to anger in many ways. The heart of the issue is selfishness. I am constantly amazed at the lies my heart attempts to sell me. One of the most persistent is the lie that a little bit of lust is a healthy thing.
Similar to venting anger, giving into a little bit of lust does not prevent larger sins.
So you're not binging on porn. Do you masturbate? Do you let your eyes linger when a woman walks by? "Little" lusts don't prevent bigger lusts, they weaken our defenses. Furthermore, when we make one selfish decision we tend to act more selfishly.
I have noticed in my own life that seemingly insignificant bits of selfishness that no one knows about except myself and God creates an attitude of selfishness and discontent in other areas of my life. As men we tell ourselves that we can compartmentalize areas of our lives. That one area doesn't affect another. But the effects can be so subtle that we don't even notice them until we think hard about our actions. A little bit of selfishness in one area breeds more selfishness in other areas.
Following Christ is a day by day battle with our hearts. We must take a look at ourselves in the perfect mirror of scripture and see the ways that selfishness manifests itself in our lives. Then through prayer, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and training we become more like our Savior.
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