Lust

Dear Team,

Something really burdening me. How do I conquer Lust? I am using that word "lust" in the context of a 27 male who is constantly battling this everyday. Especially now that summer is back, its getting worse if you know what I mean.

"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. "Mathew 5:28

Please guys I am really desperate for a solution! I mean there must be someone living on this planet who does not have this problem anymore who can testify !

Joe
Melbourne Australia

Hi Joe,

I appreciate your candor in writing this post and your desire to see Christ have rulership over this area of your life. I too have struggled in this area, and I believe this is a common area of temptation for many men.

Some of the advice I have may not sound spiritual, but more practical. For instance, I believe that exercise can be very helpful in making sexual temptations less powerful. Also, staying away from known sources of temptations, especially at times when we are feeling fatigued or overwhelmed, is important. If beaches or even swimming pools are such for you, then I would recommend avoiding them.

From a more spiritual angle, of course maintaining constant communion with Christ through prayer, reading of the Word, fellowship with other believers at church, and keeping our conscience void of offence, are essential to having victory in the area of sexual temptations.

I have found that whenever I have fallen in this area, it is important to confess this sin to God immediately, and also to resist Satan's condemnation, as giving into it can cause us to fall farther than we would have otherwise. Also, I have found that confessing this sin to a godly Christian brother, without delay, is extremely helpful in not allowing this sin to take root in our lives. James 5:16 says, "Therefore,confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

God's rich blessings :-)

In Jesus,
John

reformer quotes D.L. Moody 'Sin will keep you from this Book. This Book will keep you from sin.'

I don't know if you will find better advice than what this quote claims. I have experienced the truth of it and can add personal perspective to it, but I can add no better advice.

For 30 years, overall, I have seriously sought God. I have studied and taught the scriptures. I have prayed for Him to move in my life and in the lives of others.

At the same time, I have had some miserable failures. After a failure, there is greater resolve to not fail again. You make decisions as one suggested, to avoid situations that are sources of temptation. That lasts a while, but it is not enough as you know. It begins with the most subtle of compromizes. Then another and another.

There is much wisdom in avoiding certain situations. Proverbs says you cannot walk on coals and not get burned. We became very careful about the places we chose to vacation in. I blocked out channels that I did not want to see as I looked for something decent to watch. I did all the right things and it helped immensely.

We have to do all we can do to guard ourselves, but it has to be coupled with what the quote claims. Resolve to not fail a million times, but it will not be enough. Add scripture and prayer; I've done it, and even in that there is trouble.

Here is what happens as you well know. You fail, you resolve to never fail again. You seek God with more intensity than ever before. But satan slips a thought into your thinking. It is just enough to compromize your resolve. If it catches your attention and you give it time, it is over.

I'll use this illustration to emphasize my point. Imagine a field with a fence around it. God is in the center of this field. Satan roams the perimeter trying to get your attention. If he succeeds and draws your attention to the fence, your attention is drawn away from God.

I will not say it is easy to start with. Satan knows what is at stake. The Bible says, 'Resist satan and he will flee from you'. It is easy to think it is all up to us to resist him that we then might be able to draw close to God which is the other part of that verse. But I say from experience, and this is as important as anything I wlll say, do not stand toe to toe with satan. He is better at luring than you are resisting. Instead, turn immediately to God and seek His help. I don't mean just, 'Lord help me'. I mean seek God. You have to taste victory. He will do the fighting for you. As long as you maintain your focus on God, the distractions at the fence will not attract you. Don't feel you can stand near God and face the fence. It will not work. Draw near to God and the distractions will flee. I promise you they will. Do not leave until they do.

Rev. 2:17 says to him that overcomes, will I give some of the hidden manna. There is much at stake in this battle. It is not easy. What makes it easier is to recognize satan soon and turn to God before you start desiring what satan has suggested.

A final thought that I have experienced. The same revelation transformed Hudson Taylor's life. In John 7:17, Jesus says, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink'. The secret to this is coming often. Many come to sip. Some come and drink to they're filled, but the ones who come over and over and over, 'streams of living water will flow from within him'.

This living water is the abundant life that is referred to in the context of Christianity. It is what is on the line. Once you find it, sin loses it's stronghold. You are filled with God. Sin has lost its lure.

I will talk with you anytime you need to talk. Either here for everyone to see or you can email me. Do not give up. Satan would love nothing more.