Overcoming Lust

"I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?" (Job 31:1)

In today's world, the temptation of lust is more prevalent than ever before. With the advent of the internet and the ease of access to pornographic material, many individuals find themselves struggling with this issue. A church member recently shared with me his experience of walking past the office of one of his business partners. As he glanced into the room, he was shocked to see this person consumed by pornographic material on a computer screen that could be easily seen from the outside. When the church member confronted his colleague, instead of being ashamed and hiding it, his partner eagerly offered to show him more.

This incident highlights the pervasiveness of pornography in our society and the desensitization that has occurred as a result. The apostle Paul warns us about the dangers of lust in his letter to the Galatians: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish" (Galatians 5:16-17).

The Deceptiveness of Lust

One of the most common excuses used to justify the consumption of pornography is, "It's not hurting anyone." However, this is a lie. Lust and pornography have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the individual. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks" (Ephesians 5:3-4).

Pornography diminishes your effectiveness at work, destroys your integrity, damages your thinking processes, and threatens the relationships that you hold dear. It can lead to a distorted view of sexuality and can even contribute to the objectification and exploitation of others. As Christians, we are called to live lives of purity and holiness, reflecting the character of Christ.

The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-28 underscore the seriousness of lust: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (NKJV). Lust is not just a harmless thought or a momentary indulgence; it is a sin that separates us from God and can lead us down a path of destruction.

Overcoming Lust through the Power of the Holy Spirit

So, how can we overcome the temptation of lust in a world that is saturated with sexual imagery and pornographic material? The answer lies in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jude exhorts us to "build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20, NKJV). Through prayer, fasting, and immersing ourselves in the Word of God, we can strengthen our spiritual defenses and resist the temptations of the flesh.

The apostle Paul offers practical advice for dealing with lust in his letter to the Colossians: "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). We must be proactive in our fight against lust, taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

It is also important to remember that our struggle with lust does not define us. As Paul writes in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (NKJV). When we stumble and fall, we can find forgiveness and restoration in the loving arms of our Savior.

Overcoming lust is a daily battle that requires vigilance, discipline, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. As we seek to live lives of purity and holiness, we must be honest about our struggles and be willing to seek help and accountability from trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember, Lord Jesus does not abandon the sinner. He does not depart from him. Wait in His love, knowing that His grace is sufficient for every temptation and every struggle.

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV).

Let us commit ourselves to the daily pursuit of purity, relying on the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us to overcome the temptations of lust. As we do so, we will experience the freedom and joy that comes from walking in obedience to God's will for our lives.

Overcoming Lust

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