Can a person get victory over lustful thoughts? Or are we simply victims of ungodly thinking without any hope of change? Many Christian men are not the Spiritual leaders in their families and churches because of the guilt of lustful thoughts; therefore women have taken over the roles of the husband in the home and leadership in the church. Many Christian men live in defeat and discouragement.
I believe that God has given us the way to victory over lustful thoughts. The Bible is sufficient, and Jesus is the answer for every area of life. I Corinthians 10:13 says “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” God promises a way of victory. I believe that God is more concerned about putting a filter on a believer’s heart than putting a filter on the believer’s computer. If God doesn’t change the heart, a person will continue to focus on lustful thoughts.
Thinking lustful thoughts is a matter of worship. A person that entertains lustful thoughts believes the lie that these thoughts are more satisfying than fellowship with Jesus.
God commands every Christian in Matthew 22:36 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” If a person loves God with all his heart, there will be no heart left to love sin. God created man to find his greatest satisfaction in fellowshipping with Jesus. Most of the time people want a solution instead of a Savior. Jesus doesn’t just have the answer; He is the answer.
Ask God to forgive you for lustful thoughts and for seeking victory in your own strength; ask God to give you His strength and wisdom. You are in a battle and Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God to fight the battle in the mind. 1 Corinthians 10:5 says that we can bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Because most believers have not established a deep relationship with Jesus that seeks to please Him in all areas of life, it is important to place some safeguards in our lives.
- Reflect on God’s goodness.
God has been good to you all your life. (God has shown more goodness to you than anyone else has shown to you.)
God loves you with unconditional love.
God’s ways are perfect.
God is in complete control.
- Replace lustful thoughts with God’s Word.
Write down 10 verses on 3X5 cards that combat lustful thoughts and read the verses when you are dwelling on wicked thoughts; There is power in God’s word.
- Praise God for His good works.
Write down 10 verses on praise on 3X5 cards; when you complain in your mind replace complaining with a verse of praise. - Live to please God.
Life is not about you; it is about God.
If we are not living to please God we are living to please self.
1 Cor. 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” - Recognize your trigger points.
You are a whole person and your physical body affects your spiritual life. Are you tempted when you are tired?
Are you tempted when you are stressed?
Are you tempted during calm times? - Say “No” to the flesh through-out the day.
Say “No” to more food.
Say “No” to surfing the internet.
Say “No” to playing video games.
Have a set time to get out of bed and a set time to go to bed.
You need to tell your body what to do instead of allowing your body to tell you what to do. When you give into your flesh all day long, it is hard to tell your body to resist lustful thoughts. - Focus on studying the attributes of God.
God’s power
God’s presence
God’s knowledge
This is not an exhaustive list of ways to get victory over lust. God tells believers that they are more than conquerors and victorious in Christ. Stop believing the lie that lustful thoughts are more satisfying than Jesus. God wants His people to have minds that are free of sinful thoughts. This brings praise and glory to Him, who is worthy of praise.
Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Bob Hassel
