Lust is a strong, often overwhelming desire for something, typically of a sexual nature. It is a sin that all people struggle with, as our fleshly desires war against our spiritual natures (Galatians 5:17). However, God does not leave us defenseless in this battle. Through the power of His Spirit and the wisdom of His Word, we can overcome lustful temptations and live in holiness. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about overcoming lust:
Recognize lust as sin
The first step in overcoming lust is recognizing it for what it is – sin. Lust indulges the desires of the flesh against God’s standards of sexual purity (1 John 2:16). Jesus equated lust with adultery, saying that “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). We must see lusts not as harmless fantasies but as an offense against a holy God. When tempted, we should echo Joseph’s resolve to flee from sexual immorality, saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Taking lust seriously as sin is foundational to overcoming it.
Avoid lustful influences
The next key to overcoming lust is avoiding influences that inflame lustful passions. The eye is often the gateway for lust. Jesus warned, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29). While not to be taken literally, His point is that we must remove from our lives anything that would cause us to stumble, whether media, relationships, or technology. The mind also must be guarded. Paul instructs, “Set your minds on things that are above” (Colossians 3:2). We should be careful about what we allow our minds to dwell on and fantasy about. Avoiding lustful influences requires wisdom, discernment and even radical amputation of sinful parts of our lifestyles.
Seek accountability and community
Overcoming lust is not just about what we avoid but also who we engage. Having strong accountability relationships is essential, as Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Telling a brother when we are struggling with lust brings it into the light, helping to defuse its power. James 5:16 gives this instruction: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” The fear of others knowing often deters us from sinning. Surrounding ourselves with strong believers who will lift us up with prayer and speak truth to us provides a safety net when we are weak. Community plays a vital role in overcoming lust.
Fill your mind with God’s truth
In addition to guarding our eyes and relationships, overcoming lust requires filling our minds with God’s truth. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Hiding Scripture in our hearts gives the Holy Spirit ammunition to fight lust and other sins. Reading the Bible, listening to sermons, and meditating on verses about purity and holiness counteract lustful thoughts. As an example, Colossians 3:5 commands us to, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” As God’s Word permeates our minds, it transforms and renews us (Romans 12:2). His truth uproots lies and provides a path to escape temptation.
Develop self-control through the Spirit
Though crucial, mere self-effort is insufficient to overcome lust. True victory comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 instructs, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” As believers, God has given us His Spirit to strengthen and empower us when we are weak and tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must learn to continually submit to the Spirit’s leading rather than our fleshly appetites. The Holy Spirit produces in us the “fruit” of self-control (Galatians 5:23), strengthened willpower to resist lust. Over time we can, by the Spirit’s power, train our minds and bodies to reject lust’s grasp. Walking in step with the Spirit is essential to overcoming lust.
Make no provision for lust
As part of walking by the Spirit, we must eliminate opportunities for lust to take root. Paul gave this exhortation: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14). We make provision for lust anytime we put ourselves intentionally in tempting situations or leave easy opportunities available for indulging it. For example, watching movies with graphic sexual content, saving old lustful photos on your phone, and going places associated with past sexual experiences are “provisions” for lust. Ask God for wisdom to identify and cut off anything that caters to lust. Leaving no foothold for lust is key to finding freedom.
Take lustful thoughts captive
Inevitably, lustful thoughts will still surface at times. When they do, we must take them “captive” before they inflame sinful cravings. Paul wrote, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The moment impure thoughts arise, we should attack them with truth from God’s Word, pray for divine strength, and redirect our minds to that which is honorable (Philippians 4:8). Refusing to indulge or elaborate on polluted thoughts keeps them from growing into actual sin. Taking thoughts captive allows us to overcome lust one temptation at a time.
Keep your eyes on Christ
Undergirding all these steps, we must keep our focus on Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 instructs, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Christ gave His life to free us from sin’s grip, including sexual sin (1 Peter 2:11). When we feel pulled by lust, looking to Christ reminds us of the better pleasures found in God Himself (Psalm 16:11). Christ can sympathize with our struggles and provide mercy and grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16). He alone has power to forgive, heal, renew, and satisfy our deepest longings. Keeping our eyes fixed steadfastly on Him gives strength to walk uprightly amid earthly temptations.
In summary, freedom from lust comes through recognizing its true nature, avoiding inflaming influences, surrounding ourselves with community, saturating our minds with Scripture, walking in the power of the Spirit, eliminating provisions that cater to lust, taking thoughts captive, and keeping our focus on Christ. With God’s help we can gain ground against this struggle and experience victory. His promise is, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). May we avail ourselves of all the resources the Lord provides to overcome lust and walk in newness of life.