Overcoming Lust to Walk in Righteousness

Scripture: Genesis 2:24

God’s design for sexuality was intended for one woman and one man within the bonds of marriage. It was His desire all along for sexual intimacy to be shared and enjoyed within marriage, and that has not changed.

Yet, our culture has hijacked God’s intention for sexuality and turned much of this desire into a lust issue. Lust, essentially, is a sexual inclination that does not include the value of people or God at its center and lies outside the boundaries of God’s design.

Pornography. Masturbation. Homosexuality. Sex outside of marriage and or with multiple partners. These are all acts outside of His will that extract others and God for self-interest.

We see it everywhere, too. And every form is accepted. In fact, our society parades around that people can find freedom in sex and how it’s a tool to express one’s identity. But we’ve missed the mark and made a mess of it.

As we approach the topic of lust it’s important to understand God’s design for sexuality. Between one man and one woman within the covenant of marriage for the purposes of procreation and intimacy. Anything outside of that design is not God’s way. And having this foundational understanding will be essential to living a God-honoring life.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Lust leads to sin, and sin destroys. Paul gives a stern warning against lust in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 and a vital call to holiness.

Thankfully, we serve a gracious God who covers what sex and lust have exposed in our lives. He is a God of redemption and restoration. And I know this first hand. Growing up, I struggled with an addiction to pornography and masturbation. But now I can testify to you that God set me free from both after I gave my heart to Him.

But the sexual addiction still had a root, deep down, and it came bursting out in my twenties. When I was in ministry at a large church in the midwest, I did the very thing I said I never do: had sex outside of marriage. I brought confession before my pastors and I am so thankful they walked that journey with me in love and grace. But they didn’t cover it up, either (as none should). I had to step out of ministry, and my life came crumbling down in many ways after that.

I thought I wasn’t worthy of His redemption and it took me some time to come to a place where I received what He already wanted to do for me. I now love telling people about this amazing God who extended to me unmerited grace and restored my life!

But as you can see, sin had a cost. Lust took me down hard and shattered my life. And as gracious as God is, it’s not an endorsement to sin as you’d like.

Jesus said in John 8:11, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Yes God forgives but you should be diligent in your pursuit to not sin. To guard against the lust of the flesh.

We’ll talk about how to do that in another day but for now, repent from any sin in your life and commit to holiness. Choose God’s way over your way.

Scripture: Mark 12:30

In addition to staying in God’s design simply because it’s in the Bible (although, that’s all the reason you need but I find that assurance comes through maturity for many) but we should be communicating the WHY—the HEART. And it’s this:

We choose to follow God’s design for sex and relationships BECAUSE we love Jesus. And our love for HIM is bigger than our desire for anything else.

Again, it’s not about NOT doing the thing but rather being obedient to God.

If we choose to approach purity from the lens of a “no” to a “yes” then there is a perspective shift. It’s our love for God that supersedes any other desire.

If the approach is a “yes” to loving God rather than a “no” it makes a difference. It’s not about leaving a desire unfulfilled but rather seeing that only Jesus can bring the fulfillment.

Let us point to Biblical teachings but also to the heart matter that we might stand strong in the face of worldly teachings and temptation.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3

How do you guard against the lust of the flesh? Here are 4 ways that you can start doing that today.

1. Admit your Weakness. You must first realize that there is no sin you are exempt from committing. In fact, temptation of any kind can come to anyone. To say you “would never” do that or engage in this sin is both proud and dangerous. Admit that you are not strong enough to refrain from all things and realize you need to guard yourself against temptation in all areas of your life.
2. Know your why. We touched on this already but it’s one of the most important things you should be doing.
3. Pray and read the Word. Prayer gave Jesus strength as he often pulled away and he fought temptation with the Word of God. So if this is how Jesus approached temptation then shouldn’t we? Be committed to the Word and prayer as a daily habit.
4. Have solid community. “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” We’ve all heard that, haven’t we? But it’s also true, isn’t it? Having friends that have the same commitment will go a long way when committed to righteous living.
5. Protect the heart and mind. What comes in will stew and eventually come out. Guard what you take in via the media, entertainment, reading, and in conversation.
6. Have amazing boundaries. The question I get a lot when I talk about sex, or really any life struggle is this: how far is too far? How far can I go before it’s technically sin? That’s the wrong question. The one people should be asking is, how far can I stay away? If you don’t have strong boundaries then you will begin to make little compromises. And once anyone starts making compromises, even little ones, it gets easier to make the big compromises. We know the Bible isn’t about stealing our fun and joy, but to protect us. If you choose to see His boundaries around sex as a bunch of don’ts that steal your fun, you get God all wrong.

Remember, these guidelines are not limitations to steal away your freedom. Instead, these boundaries and guidelines give you the freedom to live purposefully in your God-ordained call without spot or blemish. To empower you to live righteously for His Kingdom. It’s freedom from sin that will mean life or death.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

At the end of the day, you are God’s beloved but you are also His temple. When you choose to follow Christ the Holy Spirit fills you and when that happens you become His temple. And you should live differently having that filling but also that knowledge.

Paul writes in First Corinthians that yes, you can technically do whatever you want. But should you? Not everything is good. Not everything is beneficial. You can participate in lust but why? Ultimately, that’s not what your body was created for. You were designed for relationship and your body is meant for the Lord in worship, work, and relationship with Him.

From here Paul declares, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” Listen, none of us are our own—we are the workmanship of God. But furthermore, as a believer we are bought by the blood of Christ.

You and I have a debt we could never pay. Only one person could pay that costly price and that is Jesus. And he did. He paid the price.

So are you going to choose to live from a place of misusing the gift given to you (life) or are you going to honor Christ with your body—the very body He died for? That’s real love and a love worth sacrificing for.