- Mar 24, 2011
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Lust as a single person is probably one of the hardest things to cope with. I'm not trivializing it for married people, but for single people this is at the very top of the list. Paul said it is better to marry than to burn. However, it helps to understand what the problem really is and how to solve it.
The problem is lust, the lust of the flesh. Lust builds up and builds up and eventually you can't even think straight without looking for an outlet. The way that it builds up is mainly through inappropriate thoughts and straying eyes. The more that it builds up the worse it gets and the harder it is to control it. We see warnings about this all over the bible:
Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
The scripture says to walk by the Spirit and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. That is living a sanctified life, submitted to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. The problem comes when we try to use carnal means (masturbation, illicit sex) to solve a carnal problem. This is bondage:
2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
It is a cycle perpetuated by the enemy of our soul, a cycle which gives him some measure of control over us. He is constantly tempting us through this sick culture, through other people, or even our own thoughts. As we give in we are giving place to the Devil, a space he will continue to occupy as a squatter until we kick him out. Soon our thought life becomes unmanageable, and we can't go a single day without succumbing to temptation. This is what the scripture calls a stronghold. How do you break down strongholds?
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
The main weapon of our warfare is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
This is what Jesus used in the wilderness to overcome the devil. He said three times "it is written", and this is what we must do too. We must understand our position in Christ as new creatures, and that the old man has been put to death on the cross. Paul said to reckon ourselves as dead to sin:
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We can only solve a carnal problem through the power of the Holy Spirit. We have to believe we really are dead to this sin, and lay it down to God and ask Him to change us and to help us cope. If we succumb, we will only be feeding the monster and tightening the noose around our necks. We have to deny ourselves, absolutely put away our need for self-gratification, and seek only to please God. If you are in the flesh you cannot please God:
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
This can be a constant battle, and can involve a constant fight, especially for those who are weak in this area (like me). However, have no doubt that this is a war, and what's at stake is your freedom in Christ, because slavery to lust is bondage to Satan. He is seeking to control you and will wage warfare upon you and will absolutely crush you if you are not laying it down and seeking Gods help for this at all points. We must not only deny ourselves, but keep our minds right and our eyes focused only on Jesus. When we see something coming, we have to turn away. We have to be vigilant, because our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion. We have to keep laying it down, as many times as it takes. Although it may seem insurmountable, with the help of the Holy Spirit we can succeed. Whatever you do, don't give up.
The problem is lust, the lust of the flesh. Lust builds up and builds up and eventually you can't even think straight without looking for an outlet. The way that it builds up is mainly through inappropriate thoughts and straying eyes. The more that it builds up the worse it gets and the harder it is to control it. We see warnings about this all over the bible:
Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
The scripture says to walk by the Spirit and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. That is living a sanctified life, submitted to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. The problem comes when we try to use carnal means (masturbation, illicit sex) to solve a carnal problem. This is bondage:
2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
It is a cycle perpetuated by the enemy of our soul, a cycle which gives him some measure of control over us. He is constantly tempting us through this sick culture, through other people, or even our own thoughts. As we give in we are giving place to the Devil, a space he will continue to occupy as a squatter until we kick him out. Soon our thought life becomes unmanageable, and we can't go a single day without succumbing to temptation. This is what the scripture calls a stronghold. How do you break down strongholds?
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
The main weapon of our warfare is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
This is what Jesus used in the wilderness to overcome the devil. He said three times "it is written", and this is what we must do too. We must understand our position in Christ as new creatures, and that the old man has been put to death on the cross. Paul said to reckon ourselves as dead to sin:
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We can only solve a carnal problem through the power of the Holy Spirit. We have to believe we really are dead to this sin, and lay it down to God and ask Him to change us and to help us cope. If we succumb, we will only be feeding the monster and tightening the noose around our necks. We have to deny ourselves, absolutely put away our need for self-gratification, and seek only to please God. If you are in the flesh you cannot please God:
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
This can be a constant battle, and can involve a constant fight, especially for those who are weak in this area (like me). However, have no doubt that this is a war, and what's at stake is your freedom in Christ, because slavery to lust is bondage to Satan. He is seeking to control you and will wage warfare upon you and will absolutely crush you if you are not laying it down and seeking Gods help for this at all points. We must not only deny ourselves, but keep our minds right and our eyes focused only on Jesus. When we see something coming, we have to turn away. We have to be vigilant, because our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion. We have to keep laying it down, as many times as it takes. Although it may seem insurmountable, with the help of the Holy Spirit we can succeed. Whatever you do, don't give up.