“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jas 1:14-15). James teaches us about the nature of lust. Fundamentally, serves as a stepping stone to other sins. It entices like fish bait. This could be called a breeder sin, as it gives birth to sin. This sin targets two main areas of our lives: the lusts of the flesh and the lusts of the eyes. Consider King David. “Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house” (...
“. . . That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mrk 7:20-23). Jesus clearly teaches us that sin is a heart problem. No one may blame the devil, circumstances, or the actions of others for their sin. We must own our guilt and confess it. God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we do (1 John 1:9). However, we must realize that sin originates in our heart. James confirms that. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to ...