This One Verse Contains Six Keys to Overcoming Lust

There is no argument: Lust attracts our sinful eye. We love it to death. And that’s the problem. Lust is married to death. Listen to James 1:14-16, from the Amplified Bible:

“We should run from lust because we’re fighting a spiritual battle, and we don’t want to mess with demons.”

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But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters.

The fact that lust is married to death is good grounds for divorce—which brings us to those six powerful keys that will bring about a permanent separation. This verse is an easy one to remember because it contains four 2s. 2 Timothy 2:22:

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Here are those six keys:

“Love is patient and kind. Lust is selfish and cruel.”

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1. This verse tells us what we’re to flee from and what we’re to pursue after. We should run from lust because we’re fighting a spiritual battle, and we don’t want to mess with demons. And that’s what we’re doing when we let our imagination run after sinful thoughts. The kitten we’re playing with is a tiger. When those thoughts come, read Scripture aloud and call upon the Lord. If we don’t seek God’s help, we will lose a battle that is too powerful for us to fight alone.
2. In fleeing youthful lusts, we are doing so to follow after righteousness. We are fleeing from a sure defeat to a sure victory. We obtain righteousness in Christ, and we hold on to it by cultivating a tender conscience and letting the fear of the Lord be our protector.
3. We are also told to pursue faith. Doubt is a darkness in which we once lived, but we now trust in God’s promises. They’re a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We should therefore look to the light of the Scriptures daily, without fail.
4. We are told to pursue love. Lust is its counterfeit. The Scriptures tell us that love is patient and kind. Lust is selfish and cruel. We can recognize it because it’s an intruder that pushes its way into our mind. That’s why we should never open the door.
5. We are also told to pursue peace. There are two forms of peace. The first is the peace of God—which passes all understanding. That’s a fruit of trusting the promises of Scripture. The second is peace with God—and that comes through trusting in Jesus. The Scriptures exhort us to look “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Look to Him daily through His Word and through the power of prayer.
6. Finally, we are to fellowship “with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Who are our closest friends? Is it those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart? Surround yourself with those who have that pure heart—and they will be a continual source of encouragement and inspiration.