Lust and Leviticus

by Tim Hunter

Sexual lust and deviance are wreaking havoc in our day. I mean they always have. But there is something different when the sexual failures of respected men are broadcasted for the world to see. 

Ravi Zacharias 

Carl Lentz. 

King David. 

Unchecked lust can cripple leaders, warriors, statesmen, pastors. We have seen that in a fresh way in the last few months. 

It terrifies us - Is there any leader I can trust?

But I believe there is something else that terrifies us if we are honest. For every big-name that falls to the giant of lust, we feel an internal twinge. We know that inside of us lies sexual perversion. We know that inside of us there is lust, that unchecked, could cause ruin and destruction - upon our souls, families, friends, and churches. In a culture inundated with sexual perversion, who among us could claim that they are completely blameless. 

Many feel helpless as they see the headlines of famous christian leaders. Many others feel helpless as they think of their own actions in the quiet of their bedroom. 

Where do we go? May I suggest Leviticus. Now, I get it. Leviticus would not exactly win a popularity contest among the books of the Bible. I get it. Most of us tend to do the holy skim when we get to the middle sections of Leviticus in our Bible reading. 

But what if I told you that an ancient book overlooked by man, filled with details of sacrifices and tabernacles and genealogies was filled with a treasure trove that addresses our culture’s out-of-control lust? 

Here’s what Leviticus 18 taught me: Sexual purity is not a burden or a drudgery. It is a gift of freedom flowing from my identity as God’s son who has been freed from the enslaving practices of the surrounding culture.  Let’s unpack it. 

A Gift 

Far from drudgery or a burden God paints his commands on sexuality to the people of Israel as an invitation to life. “If a person does them, he shall live by them…” The children of Israel were familiar with the culture of death in Egypt. Yahweh says to His people: walking in my way is not a burden or drudgery - it is life. 

Freedom in Identity 

If you read Leviticus 17-19, you will see over and over again the phrase: “I am the LORD your God.” This was more than just a declaration of the person of God. This was a reminder of who God was to these people personally. He was the God who delivered them from the back-breaking slavery of Egypt. He was the God who had chosen them from the nations of the earth. He was the God who desired His people to live as sons and daughters under His loving rule. 

God was saying to His people - this isn’t who you are anymore. 

There is freedom in understanding our identity in God. Even more so than the children of Israel in Leviticus, we today can live in the reality of the staggering identity we have been given in Christ. Maybe you need to hear right now as you are reading this - your lust, that isn’t who you are anymore. 

Freedom from Slavery

As the LORD painted his vision of how he desires His people to relate to each other sexually in Leviticus 18, he continually contrasted this way of life with the surrounding nations and cultures. “You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan.” (Lev. 18:3) This is important for us to grasp. Our surrounding culture shouts that freedom is getting to do what we want to do. Scripture shouts that freedom is getting to do what brings life and relationship with God. 

The people of Israel in Leviticus had been set apart from the surrounding cultures and their enslaving practices that resulted in death. In the same way we today have been set apart to be a people holy unto God. The things that we do that we justify as freedom are just slavery. 

Porn addiction? That’s not freedom. 

Destroying your legacy because of out-of-control lust? That’s not freedom. 

Shame, guilt, and frustration? That’s not freedom. 

Desecrating other image-bearers through lustful thought? Not. Freedom. 

Remember, Sexual purity is not a burden or a drudgery. It is a gift of freedom flowing from my identity as God’s son who has been freed from the enslaving practices of the surrounding culture.

Leviticus taught us that. 

Go figure.