How do I overcome lust?

[Anonymous0210]

This is kinda a two part question as I have been dealing with some mental battles regarding lust and how I should go about with my day to day life. I have always struggled with lust but more recently I've been taking more steps to try and avoid lusting. The issue is some of the steps I've been taking also have been affecting me in the sense of missing out on activities. Like as of late I havent been going to our pre worship service "sunday school" because I had a thought that used Matthew 5:29-30 in regaurds to me struggling with lust. I told one of my pastors that I wasn't going due to the possibility of it causing me to sin and he encouraged me to go to the other sunday school they have but I haven't been going to that one either out of the possibility of pontentially fueling my issue of lust as well. Then my church is also having a memorial day party later today and I wanted to go but it was again the same issue of not going because of the possibility of fueling this issue and the fear of not wanting to disobey God or just fear/anxiety in general just because thats how my brain operates when theres the possibility of sin. But then I also have to live my life and dont want to just stay locked in my house all day long just because of the possibility that I might sin. How do I tackle this issue?

 

[timothyu]

Well you obviously can't wait until you are 70, but the simple answer is you don't. It's natural but varying among individuals to lust after all sorts of things. Keep it to yourself until you learn to control your hormones and animal instincts (will power), and respect others as you would have them respect you. Whatever it is that you lust over comes from your end, not its. If you can't see a way through, seek help. Either way, hopefully you'll outgrow it soon. (this is opinion, not medical advice)

 

[CoreyD]

This is kinda a two part question as I have been dealing with some mental battles regarding lust and how I should go about with my day to day life. I have always struggled with lust but more recently I've been taking more steps to try and avoid lusting. The issue is some of the steps I've been taking also have been affecting me in the sense of missing out on activities. Like as of late I havent been going to our pre worship service "sunday school" because I had a thought that used Matthew 5:29-30 in regaurds to me struggling with lust. I told one of my pastors that I wasn't going due to the possibility of it causing me to sin and he encouraged me to go to the other sunday school they have but I haven't been going to that one either out of the possibility of pontentially fueling my issue of lust as well. Then my church is also having a memorial day party later today and I wanted to go but it was again the same issue of not going because of the possibility of fueling this issue and the fear of not wanting to disobey God or just fear/anxiety in general just because thats how my brain operates when theres the possibility of sin. But then I also have to live my life and dont want to just stay locked in my house all day long just because of the possibility that I might sin. How do I tackle this issue?

It's good that you are making the effort to overcome this sin, because while some persons believe that sinning in thought isn't that serious, Jesus said it is so serious that one would lose their life, if they do not cut away this sin, which can also lead to sinning in deed.
Matthew 5:28 - I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. See Matthew 5:27; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19
So, you are doing quite well, in putting forth the effort, and seeking assistance to succeed.

I can share with you from my experience...
A human sense that can be a start to sin, is the sense of sight. Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:16
The mind, then, is excited by what appears desirable. 2 Corinthians 11:3; James 1:14, 15

Therefore, start with what you look at.
Or rather, start by doing what Job did. Job 31:1
Resolve in your mind, or "sign a contract" with your eyes, not to look at things that would incite lust.
Take that "contract" seriously, as if it's actually a real contract.
Doing so would be like stationing a guard to your mind.

If you do see something you didn't intend to, or expect to see (this happens in the world we live in), you will need a reminder, so that you do not forget the "contract".
In that case, you need to do what David did. Psalm 119:37
Pray to God, to turn your eyes away... In other words, remember that you made an agreement, and take swift action to keep that agreement.

On your own, you may do what come natural, which is to let the eyes "roam", but with God's help, you will be able to stick to your resolve.

These are two simple steps you can work at, that will help you, in time, to win this fight.

1. Avoid looking at what incites lust - Make an agreement with your eyes, and be resolved to keep it.
2. Avert your eyes, if anything of that nature comes into view, and pray to God for help to not keep looking.

If at times you fail, don't give up.
Keep at it, and you will succeed.

 

[bniffty24]

Nobody can avoid sin , and if they say they can then their lying and Jesus died needlessly.

 

[timf]

lust is of the flesh. However, it also ties in with a natural function like gluttony does with hunger.

To decr4ease our inclination to walk after the flesh we are told to "mortify" (kill) those works. We are also told to make no provision for the flesh. This might be taken to mean that by making no provision, we are allowing the deeds of the flesh to die of starvation.

The bible also says that it is better to marry than to burn. This is made difficult because the historical paths to marriage (growing up in a village where everyone deeply knows everyone else) is no longer common. Since so many who claim Christ are also deeply woven into the fabric of the world, it can make things even more difficult.

One can try to exercise some control by using truth. For example, many years ago I attended an industrial trade show and there was a gal in her 20s dressed in hot pants handing out advertising literature. I was struck with a sense of sadness that this was someone's daughter and felt that she should be at home under her father's protection. That she might have dreams of stardom or be influenced by a boyfriend to pimp her out for money would also be sad possible explanations. However, praying that she could come to a knowledge of truth can do wonders to change potential object of lust into something more akin to walking by the Spirit.

 

[Zceptre]

After praying about this subject, God showed me something profound in scripture.

In Luke 22:40 and Luke 22:46 Lord Jesus tells the disciples twice to pray that they don't enter temptation.

Then He showed me that if we are in conversation with Him, our mind and heart will be filled with thoughts of Him rather than those of temptations.

Temptations begin in the mind and the heart, and so if we are activity communicating with God in prayer, and especially about the temptations, we can be filled with His presence and receive the help we need.

If temptations show up while we are not praying, starting to pray would be a powerful way to head them off and put the odds in our favor of winning every time against them with God's help.

Just something I felt He wanted me to share.