In the early days of World War II, a combat officer found himself in a battle far more terrifying than the one he was about to face in the Pacific. Despite being granted embarkation leave, he was too disturbed to return home to his wife and children. The weight of his responsibility and his crumbling nerves led him to New York, where he sought the counsel of Pastor John Bonnell*.

The officer's confession was raw and haunting, filled with the power of confession and truth: "My nerves are shot to pieces. I can't depend on myself any longer. I am afraid that I may crack up in an emergency—I dare not fail my men." His words were the desperate plea of a man whose inner turmoil had eroded his confidence and shattered his faith. "I've lost my faith. I can no longer believe in the Bible or in prayer, and I never go to chapel services. All this has upset me dreadfully," he admitted.

Recognizing the urgency, Pastor Bonnell cut straight to the heart of the matter with compassion and understanding. "You have told me about your doubts. Now, tell me of the thing that is far more important than your doubts—the thing that has prompted them. Tell me about your sins." His gentle approach gave the officer comfort and reassurance without minimizing the seriousness of his sin.

There was a long, heavy silence. It was as if the Lord had laid bar the officer's soul before him. Sensing the truth, Bonnell asked for a picture of the officer's wife and children. When the officer produced it, Bonnell inquired, "Have you been true to her?" The officer's immediate response was to drop his head in shame. "I guess that's where all the trouble lies," he whispered.

This poignant encounter reveals the grave threat that sin poses in the life of a Christian. Even the bravest among us can be reduced to a fearful wreck when sin, particularly the sin of adultery and lust, takes root. These are not just sins of the wicked and unbelieving; they are pervasive even among those who belong to God.

Our Lord does not shrink from addressing sin's anatomy in His Sermon on the Mount. He does not merely address outward actions but pierces deeply into the heart. The writer of Hebrews captures this truth with stunning clarity: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we have an account to give" (Hebrews 4:12–13, LSB).

Beloved, our Lord leaves no stone unturned when dealing with sin, including the deadly sin of lust. His word is not merely a set of rules but a living, penetrating force that reveals the actual condition of our hearts. When we find ourselves in spiritual turmoil, our faith falters, and doubts arise, we must ask ourselves: Is there a sin in my life that I have not confessed to the Lord? The Word of God stands ready to expose our hidden faults, not to condemn us, but to bring us back into the light of His truth.

Let us not wait until our sins have brought us to the brink of destruction. Instead, let us come humbly before the Lord, allowing His Word to search our hearts and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Only then can we stand firm in the faith, unshaken by the battles ahead.

*This story was adapted from "Preaching Illustrations from Church History by Ron Prosise