Lamb Food: March 2015

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

lust noun \ˈləst\

an intense or unbridled desire
a fixation on the pleasures that absorb the mind—usually, but not exclusively, sexual

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Holy Scripture

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. [Proverbs 11:6]
“I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” [Matthew 5:28]
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. [Romans 6:12]
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. [Ephesians 5:3]
But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. [1 Corinthians 7:9]
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [Galatians 5:24]
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. [1 Peter 2:11]

Prayer

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, root out all lust from our hearts and covetous desires from our minds, and cleanse us by Your Word and Sacrament, that we may lead a chaste and decent life in what we think, say, and do and love You with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #211 For Purity, adapted]

sloth noun \ˈslȯth\

the quality or state of being lazy
not wanting to act or work
the spiritual apathy or laziness that slowly lets go of Christ and His gracious gifts

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Holy Scripture

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. [Proverbs 12:24]
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. [Proverbs 19:15]
Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. [Ecclesiastes 10:18]
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [Romans 12:11]
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [1 Thessalonians 5:14]
We command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. [2 Thessalonians 3:6]
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to … live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. [Titus 2:11-14]

Prayer

Almighty God, send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that He may rule and direct us according to Your will, keep us from the sins of sloth and idleness, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth that we, being steadfast in faith, may increase in all good works and in the end obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #183 For the Holy Spirit, adapted]

wrath noun \ˈrath\

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Holy Scripture

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. [Proverbs 15:1]
A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. [Proverbs 29:22]
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:19]
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. … Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [Ephesians 4:26, 31]
Now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice… [Colossians 3:8]
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling… [1 Timothy 2:8]
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [James 1:19]

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, in Your love for us and for our salvation You suffered the Father’s wrath upon the cross. Deliver us from anger and resentment, hatred and revenge. Grant that we may forgive as we have been forgiven and stand reconciled before You in Your righteousness and purity; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [LSB Pastoral Care Companion, #799 Times of Spiritual Distress: Anger and Bitterness, adapted]

en·vy noun \ˈen-vē\

the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with the desire to possess the same advantage
looking at others with an evil eye

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Holy Scripture

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. [Proverbs 14:30]
“From within, out of the heart of man, come … envy … All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” [Mark 7:21-23]
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, … not in quarreling and jealousy. [Romans 13:13]
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. [1 Corinthians 13:4]
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. [Galatians 5:26]
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. [James 3:16]
Put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. [1 Peter 2:1]

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need, and especially when tempted with envy or jealousy, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #209 In Times of Temptation, adapted]