Since lust is related to our sexuality which is an intrinsic part of our human nature, I agree with the first post.
However, like any moral weakness, it can be tamed by a serious decision to conquer it through intensive prayer. We do need to depend on a higher power to overcome any weakness. But it is not just the concept of ending a bad personality trait, we should replace it with a higher trait, that of loving the Lord. For me, I use my love for Jesus and the desire to never disappoint him and to pleas my Creator.
Of course, I often fail, but over time, am becoming stronger. For me, I eat too much, and need to discipline myself. Although I do not consider myself a glutton, I am overweight and feel it is a sin for me to not able to get better control of my appetite. It is an eternal problem. It is inborn in all of us to have weaknesses.
Putting the deeds of the flesh to death is a lifetime task. The trick is to flee temptation before it turns into lust. We resist the devil and flee temptation.
Most folks try the opposite: fleeing the devil and resisting temptation. But resisting temptation only keeps us near temptation with the sin nature inherited from Adam working against us.
Thus we need to avoid places of temptation. We must confess out temptations that have gotten hold before they turn into lust. And if lust has taken hold, then to confess it to the proper confessor, putting it to death before it puts us to death.
Good thread.
Overcoming lust is a constant effort of a Christian interacting with God, not a problem solved to be checked off a list.
This little article is spot on.
> It is a sin that you cannot stop battling.
Very true. The Internet and sexual innuendos embedded in commerials and just about every other TV show doesn’t help. In fact I bet if we were to bring someone from another century to present day to see what we experience daily in this regard they would be shocked. We are so conditioned to it we don’t even see it anymore. I have to agree especially for males, including myself, it is one of the hardest battles we face on a daily basis because of the natural desires we have programmed into us. I almost wish I’d been born in a different century sometimes.
My hero is Augustine. His account of his conversion in the Garden of Milan is one of the most beautiful accounts ever. It was not a conversion to believing — that had already happened. It was a conversion to chastity after a life of indulgence of lustful desires. Previously he knew the Truth but could not reconcile his actions to the Truth.
Hal Lindsey related this story of pushing his wheelchair-bound 90+-year-old father through the mall. A gorgeous young lady sashayed past them, and Hal suddenly felt self-conscious in front of his dad. So he said, “It sure must be nice to finally reach the age when temptations like that cease to be so attractive.” To which his father replied, “Yep, must be!”