The human male is predatory by design.
It’s true. As men, we demonstrate this with our thoughts, words and actions. That’s okay, though. We’re made that way for a variety of reasons—one of which is to bring home the bacon.
But the problem for the natural man has always been how to harness those inclinations. The Bible confirms his dilemma:
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick. Who can understand it?” [Jer. 17:9]
Yet many of us who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ continue to allow ourselves to be placed in situations that push the limits of our capacity [1] for maintaining control over our predacious, sexually driven nature. As only one example, too many workplace environments mix men with women for hours every day, ripening the vine of temptation for the unsuspecting male who’s likely to eventually let his guard down.
Yes, you say, but I’m not a natural man any more. I’m saved. The Spirit will guide and protect me in those circumstances. That’s true.
After all, having accepted Christ’s substitutionary blood sacrifice necessary to be made right with God, and by having also repented and received His Spirit in baptism, wouldn’t my predatory nature no longer exist?
On the contrary, I believe that dog still hunts. It’s just that he’s the beta male now.
Consider King David as an example of the man having faith he considered too big to fail. You know, the one whom the Lord had referred to at one time as “…a man after His own heart?” [see: 1Sam. 13:14; 2Sam. 11; 12:13-23]
So there’s that. You know the story.
I’m convinced that learning how to control sexual predation is everyman’s battle [2], and that any man who himself might also claim to be “after the Lord’s own heart” should be candid enough to admit that no form of immunity to his inherent wicked nature exists. Unless I consistently allow the Holy Spirit to guide me, I’m helpless. I’m at the mercy of my own natural impulses.
As David confessed:
“For my loins are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh…my sorrow is continually before me…for I declare my guilt...do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, do not be far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” [David’s 38th Psalm, vs.7, 17b-18a, 21-22]
I’d reckon my internal dogfight will continue until my breath returns to the One who gave it. [Eccl. 12:6-7]
I’ve just gotta keep that alpha male fed till then.