I can admit, from time to time, I struggle with lust. I am a guy. Most guys have this kind of struggle, but here is the thing; it’s not an excuse.
I don’t get a pass on this. Just because I’m a guy does not give me the liberty to do what I want.
I was reading this verse on a recent morning:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:16-21).
God has provided you and me THE way to outrun and destroy this thing called lust (and you can put whatever else you’d like to put in there – anger, impurity, strife, etc… SIN IN GENERAL).
God’s Word is a sword that can defeat and destroy strongholds.
So, how do you and I do this? The answer is found in Eph. 6:10-18:
The Whole Armor of God
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
Everything in this text is vital to overcoming sin in your life. You cannot win if you leave anything out of this. You have to be totally prepared for the war that is taking place in your life every moment of every day. The devil does not give up, neither does your sinful nature.
So if you want to walk in the spirit, it’s going to take some preparation, some study, some prayer, and some commitment.
Make these verses your anthem.
Stop making excuses and begin to lay a battle plan for victory.
Ready yourself, by reading, praying and walking.