71- Lust

7-Lust

Many lost their faith due to lust. As an example of those is Demas who was Paul's helper in preaching. Saint Paul wrote about him “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” (2 Tim. 4:10). Love of the world weakens the faith because it is hatred against God (James 4:4).

Also from the examples of those who lost their faith, due to lust, was the rich young man... He left Christ “Sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matt. 19:22). Thus, the lust for money may weaken the faith.

How many left Jesus for the sake of a woman or a position... Solomon, the wisest on earth, lost his faith due to his lust for women .

He “Loved many foreign women " (1 Kin 11: 1). “When Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord." (1 Kin 11:4-6).

This great wise man fell, however we believe that he repented in his last days, as we have discussed this issue before here on st-takla.org in other sections. The book of Ecclesiasts is evidence to his repentance.

Ananias and Sapphira lost their faith for lust of money, so they perished.

They both “lied to God” (Acts 5:4) and also “tested the Spirit of the Lord” (Acts 5:9). They both died perishing.

Balaam lost his faith due to his lust for money. He was a prophet and had beautiful prophecies about Jesus. Finally, he fell in darkness due to “Wages of unrighteousness.” (2 Pet. 2:15). He thus caused people to fall and taught Balak the way of sin (Rev. 2:14)... he and others perished.

The lust for greatness and overcoming others lead to the loss of faith of many: