Stop fighting with lust. Do this instead. As believers, we must heed the warning that lust is a problem far more significant than we can imagine.
Even the men who pinned the sacred words of the Bible grappled with this very struggle. It reminds us that none of us are immune. Age, status, or spirituality does not exempt us from its clutches.
Lust is a relentless adversary, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike and lead us astray. It's essential to recognize the deceptive nature of lust, for it can destroy lives, families, marriages, and health. Today, let us confront the reality of lust and embrace the biblical strategies to fight against this relentless foe.
Lust, like all sin, has the deceptive ability to lay dormant for years. It can deceive us into believing we have conquered it, only to rear its head when the circumstances are ripe for its return. This false sense of security leads us to lower our guard and become vulnerable to its destructive power.
Lust waits patiently, seeking the opportune moment to strike and draw us away from God's path. We must never underestimate the cunning ways of lust as it can lay the foundation for regrettable decisions that leave us wondering, "How did I get here? " Unchecked lust can devastate our lives, leading us down paths that we never intended to tread.
It can ruin our marriages, breaking the bonds of love and trust we once cherished. Lust can become an all-encompassing obsession, dictating our decisions, leading us to forsake our promises and commitments. I have witnessed firsthand how lust can dissolve loving homes, tear families apart, and leave a trail of broken hearts.
Lust's underlying pool can lead individuals into relationships that are toxic and destructive, far from the path God intended for us. Lust can lead people to waste their life away. One of the biggest problems in our society is the issue of porn.
There are millions of Christian believers who struggle in this area. Not only believers, but even non-believers hate this sin. And yet, they cannot stop committing this sin, wasting their life away watching unholy videos on the internet.
And when I state the phrase unholy videos, I'm referring to pornography because that's exactly what it is, unholy. I want you to think. Think about how much time you have spent watching those unholy videos on the internet.
You are wasting your life away. Think about how much time you wasted away for that fleeting false pleasure. Have you ever stopped and thought about how different your life would be if instead of spending those endless hours watching those unholy videos, you did something productive?
Imagine where you would be. Imagine how different your life could be. Imagine how much better a husband or wife you could be.
Imagine how much better parent you could be. Imagine where you would be in your walk with God. Imagine where you could be with your career or business.
Yet, you are wasting your life away on a screen. Life is passing you by. There is so much potential in you, but this one sin is holding you back.
Allow me to read you some statistics. 47% of families in the United States reported that unholy videos is a problem in their home. Pornography use increases the marital infidelity rate by more than 300%.
By 300%. Can you imagine? 56% of American divorces involve one party having an obsessive interest in unholy websites.
68% of church-going men and more than 50% of pastors view these unholy videos on a regular basis of young Christian adults 18 to 24 years old. 76% actively search for unholy videos. 33% of women ages 25 and under search for unholy videos at least once per month.
You need to understand that you live in an age like no other. With the rise of the internet and technology, we have unprecedented access to an endless library of pornography already readily available at the touch of our fingertips. The convenience and anonymity of online content make it extremely challenging to resist the temptation of this vice.
Unlike any other time in history, the digital era has brought about an avalanche of explicit materials that can consume hours, days, or even years of a person's life. The allure of these videos can be dangerously captivating, drawing individuals away from productive pursuits, personal growth, and meaningful relationships. The level of temptation faced by this generation is unprecedented, and we must recognize the urgent need to confront and overcome this pervasive issue.
You live in an age of great evil, great evil. Do not take that lightly. This age is like no other.
Marriages are under attack because of this issue. Unholy videos pose a severe threat to the sanctity of marriage. It distorts the perception of intimacy and creates unrealistic expectations leading to dissatisfaction within the marital relationship.
Individuals struggling with unholy videos addiction may become emotionally distant from their spouses seeking satisfaction from digital fantasies instead of nurturing their real life connection. These secret indulgence can breed mistrust, communication breakdowns, and erosion of trust between partners. Pornography's addictive nature can lead to secretive behaviors, further isolating individuals and fostering an environment of shame and guilt.
Men and women are secretly and quietly dying in this sin. While the issue of pornography may seem private, its impact extends far beyond the confines of an individual's personal struggles. Men and women who battle with this sin often suffer in silence, feeling ashamed and trapped by its grip.
This silent suffering can lead to feelings of isolation and despair, affecting one's emotional and mental well-being. The constant internal struggle and cycle of guilt can wear down the spirit leading to a sense of hopelessness and helplessness. As individuals seek to conceal their addiction, they may become detached from their loved ones and withdraw from social circles, intensifying their isolation.
This hidden pain takes a toll on relationships and personal growth, hindering individuals from living fulfilling and purposeful lives. It is essential for us as a community to extend understanding, compassion, and support to those grappling with this issue. creating an environment where individuals can find healing and restoration.
If someone comes to you struggling with this sin, do not condemn them or go around the church telling everyone, "Help them. Help them. Do not gossip about them.
Help them. " So, how can we overcome lust? The Bible does not say fight lust.
It says flee lust. Stop attempting to fight it. Flee it.
Run for your life. Fleeing temptation is a biblical principle that holds profound wisdom and practical guidance for believers facing the allure of lust and sexual immorality. The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis serves as a powerful illustration of the importance of fleeing from temptation.
In Genesis 39, we encountered Joseph, a young man with great integrity who was sold into slavery in Egypt while serving in Potar's house. Joseph's character and diligence caught the attention of his master Potar. However, the situation took a dangerous turn when Potiphar's wife sought to seduce Joseph into committing adultery.
Instead of entertaining the sinful proposal, Joseph immediately recognized the gravity of the situation and chose to flee from temptation. He understood that remaining in the presence of Piphar's wife, even for a moment longer, would endanger his spiritual well-being and his relationship with God. Without hesitation, Joseph ran for his life, leaving behind his cloak.
Joseph's example teaches us several valuable lessons about fleeing temptation. Recognizing the danger, Joseph was not naive about the potential consequences of yielding to temptation. He understood that giving in to the advances of Piphar's wife would have severe consequences both spiritually and personally.
Joseph's strong moral compass guided him to see the grave implications of compromising his integrity. He valued his relationship with God and recognized that succumbing to lust would tarnish his character, comprise his witness and damage his standing before the Lord. Similarly, we must be acutely aware of the risks of engaging with lustful desires.
By acknowledging the potential harm and disruption that succumbing to temptation can bring, we fortify our resolve to flee from it and safeguard our spiritual well-being. Remaining vigilant about avoiding situations that could lead us astray is crucial. The world around us bombards us with images and messages that glorify impurity and encourage indulgence in sinful desires.
By maintaining spiritual discernment and exercising self-control, we can navigate through life's challenges while steering clear of paths that might lure us into temptation. Like Joseph, let us remember that fleeing from temptation is not a sign of weakness, but a powerful display of our commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commands. As we guard our hearts and minds, we position ourselves to live in alignment with God's will and experience the fullness of his blessings in our lives.
Taking immediate action, Joseph did not hesitate or debate the temptation. He acted swiftly, knowing that even a moment's hesitation could lead him down a destructive path. In the face of temptation, we must cultivate the habit of responding promptly, choosing to flee rather than entertain sinful thoughts.
Joseph's immediate action showcases the importance of decisiveness in dealing with temptation. Indecision or prolonged contemplation can create a foothold for sin to take root in our hearts. Make a decision.
Don't flirt with sin. Do not flirt with unholy videos. Do not even go on the unholy website.
Be ruthless. By swiftly turning away from temptation, we safeguard ourselves from the allure of momentary pleasure that could have lasting repercussions. Joseph's example teaches us the significance of training our minds to respond immediately when confronted with impurity.
Instead of engaging in mental battles with temptation, we must act decisively and flee from situations that could compromise our purity. Do not fight with lust. Flee.
Remove yourself from the situation. If you are tempted to watch unholy videos, go for a walk with your loved ones. Do not be alone.
Open your Bible. Block the content on your phone. Go to extreme lengths to remove yourself from the situation.
Do not go somewhere alone with man or woman who is not your wife, husband, or relative. Guarding our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts diligently as they are the wellspring of life.
By fleeing from temptation, we actively protect our hearts from being contaminated by impure desires. This practice ensures that our hearts remain focused on God's will and purpose for our lives. Maintaining holiness.
Fleeing temptation is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. It reflects our commitment to living a life of holiness and purity before God. By running from sin, we demonstrate our love for him and our desire to honor his commandments.
Choosing God's way. Joseph's decision to flee from temptation was a testament to his faithfulness and commitment to God's principles. As believers, we should follow his example, choosing God's way over fleeting sinful pleasures.
Joseph's unwavering devotion to the Lord demonstrated that his love for God surpassed any temporal desires for immediate gratification. In the face of overwhelming temptation, he chose righteousness and purity, proving that honoring God's commands is far more rewarding than indulging in sinful pursuits. Following Joseph's lead, we must make a deliberate choice to align our hearts with God's will and prioritize his ways above all else.
When confronted with the allure of lust, and immorality, we can draw strength from God's word, prayer, and the support of fellow believers to resist temptation. By choosing God's way, we display our dedication to living a life that pleases him, reflecting his character and bringing glory to his name. Let us be steadfast in our commitment to flee from temptation and embrace the path of righteousness, knowing that in doing so, we honor God and experience the fullness of his blessings in our lives.
