JAMES 1:15 (KJV)
“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Lusts of the flesh refer to our strong desires for things that seem pleasurable but do not bring lasting satisfaction and peace. A person who is controlled by lust pursues money, fame, power, pleasure, or sexual gratification in ways that God forbids. God forbids these inordinate pursuits, not because he wants to make our lives miserable, but because He knows that lust destroys our spiritual health and the possibility of a relationship with Him. He realizes what people often do not understand — that lusts are self-gratifying appetites that cause people to worship themselves and God’s creation in place of God the Creator. The consequences for this idolatry are misery here and punishment in the future. Many people who have passed from this life are presently experiencing eternal torment because they yielded to lust.
Lusts of the flesh, particularly sexual passions, are so strong that they cannot be overcome without Jesus abiding in a person’s heart. While some people do not even try to control their lusts but engage in whatever they feel like doing, Satan deceives others into thinking they can control their lusts in their own strength. Either way, the result is failure and death. People who try to control their lusts in their own power become slaves to their passions rather than becoming servants of God.
Thankfully, there is a way up to Heaven. We can be delivered from the power of lust. When we give our hearts and lives to Jesus, He gives us godly desires that are stronger than the desires of the flesh. He also gives us the power to resist temptation. Satan will try to tell you that there is no way out of the traps of lust. He will try to make you believe that you cannot be victorious. Don’t believe his lies. Yield your life completely to Jesus. Jesus will help you! He will give you new desires. He will help you to say no to the lusts of the flesh. There is hope!
Connecting Bible references: 1 Peter 2:11; Ephesians 2:3; 1Peter 4:2; 1 John 2:16; 1 John 2:17; Matthew 5:28
This year for so many months I’d been free from luseful mind but this time suddenly I’m overwhelmed by lust and I’m automatically drawn by it without even discerning. Then at the end I feel like I’m a wretched man. Please help me
Thanks for sharing. That is often the first step to victory. Here are a few other things for you to consider:
1. Spend time every day in Bible reading and prayer. [Start reading the Gospels]
2. Find Christian fellowship and ask some friends to hold you accountable to them.
3. Make sure you are part of a Biblical church fellowship
4. Avoid places / movies / news sites / books that you know will tempt you to lust.
5. Depend on God, not on your own strength
Blessings in your ongoing walk with God.
I am a slave to lust. And for me there is no excuse. I have had spiritual experiences that go beyond the normal. Including spiritual experiences like Samuel in the Old Testament where the voice of the lord spoke to him as one man speaks to another man. And when I was 25, I experienced eternity, and had the veil partially removed. I am both a man who has strong prophetic gifts, (and who is naturally kind, and selfless in demeanor,) and a man who struggles with strong sexual addiction. Like Samson it will lead me to death. Both physical and spiritually if I don’t overcome it. I wish I can say I was a good man but I am not. It is obvious from my spiritual gifts that I have the potential to be a great man, or I could be led down to hell. My spiritual knowledge and experiences will only further condemn me when I stand before the Judgment bar of Christ. Samson was without excuse, and neither am I.
Thanks, Kenny, for sharing your experience and struggles. What you say is very true. Note the following passage…
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Mat 7:21-23).
You need to find help for your addictions. It will require you to trample any pride underfoot. But it is the only way to find peace and joy in your life. If you need help in finding someone to help you, call our toll free number and someone will be glad to pray with you, and also to help you find somewhere to get further help. God bless you as you find your way. If you want to have an offline discussion, leave a note in the comments and I will touch base with you. Your email address will not be posted online or shared with anyone.