There is an old misconception that lust is a male problem, especially since men are visually driven.  While it may be true that men are more driven visually, women are also susceptible for lust to enter their lives through the doorway of the eyes.

I made a passing comment in my message Sunday on the Eyes that, “Potiphar’s wife was the first cougar.”  (Assuming she was much older than Joseph).  We were looking at the story of Joseph resisting the sexual advances of Potiphar’s wife.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. ⁷And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” ⁸But he refused . . . – Genesis 39:6-8 (ESV)

In recent years it has become accepted, and even celebrated, that women should engage sexually with much younger men.  This is not referring to covenant marriage, as I know many Christian couples in which the wife is older than the husband, and their marriage is healthy and Christ-honoring.

The term “cougar” is a contemporary nick-name that refers to ladies who make sexual advancements on much younger men, who often are young enough to be their child.   According to this story in Genesis, this is not a new phenomenon, but an ancient temptation.   Like most sinful behavior, nothing is new under the sun.  Unfortunately, there are numerous stories in the media of female educators who have engaged sexually with male minors.

I’m not trying to be judgmental towards women in this area, as my gender has more frequently used sex in oppressive ways through the centuries.  I am just pointing out that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).”

In the doorway of the eyes, both men and women are vulnerable to lust.