Lusting is acting on the temptation to lust.
One can be tempted to lust without actually giving in to lusting.
There is no contradiction. Temptation is the desire to act on on urge. One can be tempted yet refrain from the act. I may see a beautiful woman and be tempted to fantasize about her, but I can resist the temptation and control my thoughts. Jesus said when I allow myself to give in to that mental fantasy I have sinned even if I did not physically act it out.
- not directed at you- just using your post to speak to all
And yet - if one continues to entertain the temptations in their heart ..one will ultimately fall to the outward manifestation of that which is
in their heart . for no man can be tempted by something that is not in his heart . we are tempted NOT by that which we cant stand .. but by that which we desire to do ..SIN
therefore it is in the heart that the sin must be dealt with .. you can make the cup polished shiny on the outside (by not doing ) but the heart can stil be filled with all manner of wickedness .
we must be washed INSIDE and be transformed by the power of God within us .
for the lord Jesus came to see us free from sin .FREE . i ,who was once a porn addict so i know lust .. have been so transformed through obedience to the Holy Spirit ,by HIS power at work in me to HIS glory ..that i can no longer be tempted in that manner ..
and why ? Because he gives me the mind of Christ ..I simply do not want to do that sin any more - this is the miracle of salvation. that not only does he
forgive our sin but ..if we allow him
through our obedience to him , he so changes us that we simply
do not want that false temporary fleshly pleasure any more .. ..i know its fantastic news, that not only can we be forgiven ,but we can be so transformed that we dont even desire sin ...
this my friends is the GOSPEL ,
the good news of the lord JESUS .
thus on the topic of the OP Question ..if a person consistently , willfully practices that which they know is wrong ..they will not be saved . for having been set free ,if we do not then walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit .. who shall die for us ? shal the lord be crucified again ? NO,, if we remain stubbornly in denial of our sin and stubbornly rebellious in disobedience then "only a certain wrath of God awaits us "
but if we admit our state (confess our sin ) he is faithful and just to forgive us .. but here the the crux of it ... to do so a person must be honest to God that God ifs right and we are in sin .
NOT imply God is a liar by denying our fleshly sexual immoral desire is sinful.
if we CONFESS ..Admit ,not deny .our SIN ..then ... and only then , is he faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. because only then have we admitted to god ,our sore and wretched need .