236/365: Breaking the Chain of Lust

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. ~ 1 John 3:2-3

With every passing day, my inbox fills with more men struggling with lust and calling out for help. This secret sin thrives on shame and secrecy.

But there is hope! The hope is Christ's purity. He died for our complete human nature so we can be free of eternal bondage. Jesus didn't go to the cross just for your lust - he went to the cross for your entire life.

GO DEEPER: Romans 13: 11-14

Next Step: Ready to punch through?

First, drop the shame. You aren't in this alone. Your lust doesn't make you unworthy of God's grace.
Next, confess your heart to a brother who will pray with you.
When temptation knocks you down, look to Christ and know deep in your soul that forgiveness is waiting for a repentant heart, and you are pure in God's sight through Christ.

Rudy M

on 09/08/2023 at 07:43 PM

I struggle with lust and the desire to be with another woman I’ve been married for 3 years I thought the lust will leave once I got married but I feel like I’m not attracted to my wife and have this strong desire to be with a different woman I’m trying but this desire is burning in me I pray about it but it seems it’s just getting worse

Jhon11

on 08/27/2023 at 04:49 AM

Im still struggling with this sexual immorality, lust, and sexual temptation. I need help and all your prayers. Im doing my best I could but still I slip with it.

Old Dude

on 08/25/2023 at 04:28 PM

@Jerry Schroeder - I went through the Conqueror Series as well. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with an addiction to pornography. One of the things I found fascinating was when they showed an image of a brain of a person addicted to cocaine side by side with an image of a person addicted to pornography, and they were almost identical. It truly is an addiction. But what does the scripture say. I can do "some" things through Christ who strengthens me. NO. It says I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. LIVE BOLD.

Jerry Schroeder

on 08/25/2023 at 04:40 AM

I urge you to bring this sin into the open. Sin hides in the darkness. Jesus is the light and hope. And he uses Godly men to help you through this process. It’s not overnight that we can reprogram our brains to help our heart s be pure. I pray for you and me. We can’t do it alone. Seek a trusted friend and find help to save you from the pain it will cause and life it will steal. Flee from sexual sin in to the arms of Jesus and trusted friend. Check out Conquers.

Jerry Schroeder

on 08/25/2023 at 04:32 AM

Paul says , in Corinthians. Sexual sin is a sin not only against God but our own bodies. Science has proven scripture to be correct. Shame and darkness about our sexual desires can be the easiest way to make us feel worthless and lost. Find someone to help you be accountable. That is a big step. Check out this devotional on the YouVersion Bible app. I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'Overcome Porn: The 40 Day Challenge'. Check it out here: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/21998

Jerry Schroeder

on 08/25/2023 at 04:23 AM

I have been through this program through a loving Godly group of men It is called Conquers. It help me find a lasting connection between God and me and a end to 60 years of sexual addiction and selfishness. https://www.soulrefiner.com/conquerseries

Douglas Smith

on 08/25/2023 at 01:52 AM

Lust is a very hard thing to deal with and overcome. It unfortunately will pollute your mind and take hold of certain aspects of your life. Unfortunately, it can become a very real addiction. The first step is admitting that you have a problem and with that admission pray about it. You may feel embarrassed and shameful bringing it to the Lord but he already knows. Also seek help with peers and treat this as an addiction. Stay focused on the Lord but remember that repentance is an everyday action. To all my brothers, I’ve been there and it is a struggle but through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ anything is possible.

MURRY FERRIS

on 08/24/2023 at 06:48 PM

Here’s a rule this soon tb 80’ year old uses: …………: a glance, not a stare.

Old Dude

on 08/24/2023 at 04:47 PM

My brothers, I struggled with an addiction to pornography for far too many years before I came to realize we cannot overcome it on our own. However, I have discovered there are things we can do to draw closer to God and break the chain of destructive behavior. First and foremost, we need to be in God's Word and in prayer everyday. We need other men who are willing to hold us accountable; therefore, it is essential for us to be involved in a Bible believing men's group. I recommend installing Covenant Eyes or some other accountability software on all your devices and get an accountability partner who can monitor where you go on the Internet. There are plenty of resources that can help in the battle for sexual purity. There is a DVD collection called "The Conqueror Series" available at Pure Desire Ministries that I found very helpful in understanding the addictive nature of porn. I also recommend the following books that deal very candidly with the subject: "Pure Desire" by Dr. Ted Roberts, "Clean" by Dr. Douglas Weiss, "Every Man's Battle" by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker. Lastly, it's important to stay connected to the LIVE BOLD community. I and most of the men that use this app are either going through the same struggle or have gained "sobriety" from pornography and want to help our brothers in Christ have victory over the flesh. There is victory, healing and restoration in Christ Jesus. Praying for all my brothers. We are in this fight together.

on 08/24/2023 at 04:22 PM

This is definitely a daily struggle for me and what is the worst part is the shame and secrecy. With being exposed to porn at an early age, instagram, and just being out in the world, temptation is everywhere and it’s hard to control your thoughts sometimes. I’m striving to be better and control my urges and thoughts. Pray for me as I will pray for all of us men who struggle to keep out thoughts and minds pure day to day.

Matthew Brown

on 08/24/2023 at 04:13 PM

There’s no way that we can keep from seeing women and depending on where we live or what time of year it is we can’t keep from seeing more of women’s bodies than we should. But scripture says take every thought captive. The thoughts and the temptations will come but what do we do with them. Do we immediately cast them out or do we toy with them for a little while first. Also there is a difference between going about daily life and seeing women around us or setting up daily life to be in situations or places more likely to see women’s bodies. The biggest thing though that I believe Satan uses in this battle is secrecy. Anything left in the dark will have control over us, as soon as it’s brought into the light the power is removed. The funny thing with shame too is when sins are hidden shame will torture us but once sins are confessed especially in a group setting or even in marriage in a humble and broken way shame will disappear

john guthery

on 08/24/2023 at 03:02 PM

This was my greatest failure. Lust and pornography. I’m still struggling with it but it does get better. I’ve gotten better at catching myself but it’s not something that will ever be “fixed” as long as I’m still a part of this world. When I catch myself, I ask myself if He would approve. The answer is always No and so I take time to pray and ask for forgiveness for my mistake and continued help to get better. It’s a tough one to live up to with all the stuff on social media, but it’s worth it.

remy Crispin

on 08/24/2023 at 02:56 PM

I always think im doing good until i slip up. Lust is definitely my toughest battle in this life.

Ashley Jarvis

on 08/24/2023 at 02:28 PM

The enemy will use any door he can to tempt us and get our minds off Christ. I was told early in my journey that once I turn my life over to God, things will get messy, it will become harder before it becomes easier, just don’t let go of God, He’ll carry me through… They were correct, and I’ve warned/promised others the same who are early into recovery. What I observed, is how often the enemy will work through others around me to challenge me, tempt me, or encourage me toward sin. Lust being just one of many sins that others can play a role, and when we’re living in sin we are but puppets of the enemy. I remember pushing others buttons to see how easy/hard it was to get them angry… how childish that seems now looking back. As far as lust, it shouldn’t matter what someone is wearing or saying, I must remember who pulls the strings of sin, and where that leads. If I stay close with Christ, He’ll help me to look away with a grin, knowing who’s orders I march to now 🙏🏻

Boyce Moses

on 08/24/2023 at 02:02 PM

I strive to be the man God created me to be, and porn and lust isn’t in that creation. At times k appreciate an attractive woman, but I always remember I have my darling wife of 44 years. Love you Jesus! 💜🧡💚❤️

tadd

on 08/24/2023 at 01:59 PM

Praying for you guys.

on 08/24/2023 at 01:32 PM

Pray for me as I pray for you. Lord, please grant us the strength and self control to only look at women in their eyes.

on 08/24/2023 at 01:21 PM

I have long struggled with lust! I have gotten away from porn, and picturing women naked, i do still look, and I am working on that as well. Its a tough subject, in a world that has it so readily available. Kids will be subjected to lust while just doing research for home work. One of Satans most powerful tools

Tommy Williamson

on 08/24/2023 at 12:58 PM

Robert according to Baker's Biblical Dictionary, Lust is "a strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature. Though used relatively infrequently (twenty-nine times) in Scripture, a common theme can be seen running through its occurrences. The word is never used in a positive context; rather, it is always seen in a negative light, relating primarily either to a strong desire for sexual immorality or idolatrous worship." Lust is basically anything that we desire with a strong passion. Some people lust after attractive women while others lust after wealth, fame, glory or even their fix of watching a favorite sports team play. From what you have told us yes you do look but most the time you look away quickly. My question is do you have a strong desire to see more of these ladies of us that what your wife thinks you do and has she conditioned you to think that is what your doing?

michael f vinning

on 08/24/2023 at 12:47 PM

T-this app is filled with men you can call brothers and share with-luck one and reach out! Robert-man, you are stronger than I am bc I don’t want any of that either but if I look at another woman long enough bc I think she’s beautiful, then I will lust after her eventually. I won’t want to picture her topless or naked or in a compromising position but invariably I will if I stare long enough! So I DONT!! I don’t stare, I turn my head or bounce my eyes as soon as I get the temptation or the thought to look-I gotta do the opposite !!

Mike S

on 08/24/2023 at 12:46 PM

God bless you all. I am too a slave to porn and lustful living. You are in my prayers and remember Jesus is with us all the steps of the way James 1:12

Robert McFaddin

on 08/24/2023 at 12:36 PM

What exactly is the biblical definition of lust? I’m tempted to look at women at times. At times I’m tempted to remember the porn I watched 40 years ago. When I see a pretty woman I’m tempted to look back. Almost never am I picturing anyone naked, imagining sex, or anything else like that. I don’t want women other than my wife and I don’t want to want them. Yet, I do find myself checking out bodies at times. Idk what I get from it. My wife says it’s a chemical release that we enjoy when seeing a beautiful/sexy woman. I don’t even want that or want to want it.

Leonard

on 08/24/2023 at 12:20 PM

Praying for you T! You are never alone, remember God loves you and cares deeply for you! Be encouraged my friend, with God’s help you can overcome.

on 08/24/2023 at 12:12 PM

I don’t know what to say. I need help. I long for a Christian brother to confide the secret sins of the heart to.The older I get the more isolated I feel. I turned 70 this year and feel more alone than ever even thought I’m married with adult children . I’m tired of trying to punch through. Pray for me.

236/365: Breaking the Chain of Lust

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