The Battle with Lust
Opening Scripture
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
—Matthew 5:28 (ESV)
What Is Lust?
Lust is more than just a passing thought or attraction. It’s a craving for something—or someone—that does not belong to us. It turns people into objects, and moments into temptations. Lust is not the same as love. Love honors. Lust consumes.
Lust often starts quietly, but it grows quickly. It begins in the mind and heart, long before any outward action. Jesus made it clear: even looking with lustful intent is sin.
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
—1 John 2:16 (ESV)
Why Does Lust Matter?
Lust damages relationships. It distorts God’s beautiful design for intimacy, replacing commitment and covenant with self-gratification.
It also creates chains. What begins as curiosity can become addiction. What starts in secret can slowly erode a marriage, a mind, or a ministry.
The enemy uses lust to distract us, divide us, and disqualify us. But God calls us to something higher: purity, holiness, and freedom.
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor…”
—1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 (ESV)
God’s Design for Our Desires
God created desire. Desire isn’t evil—it’s part of what makes us human. But like all good things, it must be directed by God’s truth.
- In marriage, desire is a gift: intimate, powerful, and holy.
- Outside of God’s boundaries, desire leads to destruction.
Like fire in a fireplace, passion warms and blesses. But when it runs wild, it burns everything down.
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
—1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)
How Do We Fight Lust?
1. Guard Your Eyes and Mind
What we take in shapes what we desire. Be mindful of what you watch, listen to, scroll past, and entertain. Your eyes are the gateway to your heart.
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
—Job 31:1 (ESV)
2. Stay in God’s Word
Let the truth of Scripture renew your mind. Lust thrives in darkness, but it flees in the light.
3. Confess and Seek Accountability
You don’t have to fight alone. Lust grows in isolation, but it shrinks when brought into the light of godly community and accountability.
4. Lean on the Holy Spirit
You cannot defeat lust in your own strength. But through the Spirit, you can walk in purity.
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
—Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
If You’ve Struggled with Lust…
There is hope. There is forgiveness. There is healing.
Jesus did not come to condemn you—but to save you. Whether you’ve stumbled once or a thousand times, you can be washed clean.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9 (ESV)
He sees you. He knows your heart. And He has the power to make all things new.
Modern Application
In today’s world, where temptation is only a screen-tap away, we must be more vigilant than ever. Teach your children the truth about purity. Encourage one another in righteousness. And if you’re battling in secret, know that you are not alone—and you are not beyond redemption.
Conclusion: Purity Is Possible
Lust is a real enemy. But Jesus is stronger. When we surrender our thoughts, our bodies, and our desires to Him, He replaces shame with peace—and bondage with freedom.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You see every heart. You know the struggles we face, even the ones we hide. Help us walk in purity. Help us fix our eyes on You and turn away from anything that pulls us into darkness.
Forgive us where we’ve fallen short. Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, and fill us with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Let us love as You love—with holiness and honor.
In Your name we pray,
Amen.