In the first part of this series, we began looking at the battle against lust and considered several foundational truths that help us understand both the seriousness of the struggle and the strategies needed to fight it. Lust is not a small issue. It is a war being waged within the soul, and Scripture calls us to take that battle seriously.

In this second part, we will continue working through several additional principles that can help us fight this lifelong struggle. As before, these are not formulas or quick fixes, but biblical truths that help shape our strategy as we seek to walk in repentance and pursue Christ with greater faithfulness.

Continuing from point four– fifth, lust is never satisfied. The older I get, the more I realize that some things are never satisfied. I have been a coffee drinker since early adulthood. I have been a coffee drinker since early adulthood. I drink more coffee now than I ever have and have no intention of stopping. Yet one thing I have learned is that no cup of coffee is ever quite big enough. I always want one more. It is the nature of the palate and the stomach to never be completely satisfied. Sinful lust works the same way. Like a wood stove, sexual lust burns within the heart, consuming everything in its path. Giving in to it is much like scratching a poison ivy rash. It brings momentary relief but leaves you in greater misery. Lust also functions much like drugs or alcohol. It creates a dependency that convinces us we need it. You feel like you need it to survive. Yet after giving in, we quickly realize the pleasure lasts only as long as the moment itself. Scripture reminds us that there is pleasure in sin — but only “for a season.”

Sixth, in the war against lust, we must read our Bibles and pray every day. There is an old children’s song many of us sang growing up: “Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow.” While it may be simple — perhaps even a little annoying — it is profoundly true. And the second verse is just as true: “Neglect your Bible and forget to pray, and you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.” A helpful rhythm for daily Christian discipline might be this: read your Bible, journal what you read, and then pray through what you journaled. As we read Scripture, we begin to see God for who He truly is. Our hearts and affections are stirred toward Him, which naturally leads us to worship. Even when our emotions feel dull, we must still learn to worship God in prayer, whether we feel like it or not.

I recently heard John Piper give an illustration about fighting sin that I shared with my basketball team. I asked the students, ranging from seventh to twelfth grade, who was good at math. A few reluctantly raised their hands. I asked what the highest level of math they had taken was, and they mentioned classes like Geometry, Algebra II, and Calculus. Then I asked them to imagine a university professor walking in and writing a graduate-level math problem on the board. Would they be able to solve it? They all quickly said no. I told them that this is often how we try to fight sin. We have a high-school-level understanding of God, His Word, and spiritual warfare, while Satan operates with far greater experience and strategy. When we devote little time to Scripture, how can we expect to recognize Satan’s schemes or understand the victory Christ has secured for us?

Seventh, go to church every Sunday. Hebrews 10:23–25 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The command for Christians to gather in corporate worship could not be clearer. In fact, this is one of the commands of Scripture that is easier to obey because it requires simple bodily obedience. In other words, just get yourself to church! However, when someone consistently neglects weekly worship, it often reveals a deeper heart issue. A fair question might be asked: how does simply attending church help in the daily battle with lust? It helps because when we gather for worship, we are meeting with Christ. As the Word of God is preached, God speaks to His people — affirming His love and exposing our sin. When the Lord’s Supper is shared, we commune with Christ in a real and meaningful way. The presence of Christ in corporate worship strengthens believers and helps us persevere. In addition, verse 24 tells us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” When we belong to a church, we are both known by others and come to know them as well. As these relationships deepen, the encouragement and accountability of fellow believers strengthen our desire to follow Christ and resist sin.

Lust remains close to our hearts. We see this even in Scripture. David, a man after God’s own heart, fell into adultery. Solomon, who possessed extraordinary wisdom, allowed his unrestrained desires to lead him into marrying hundreds of women. These examples remind us that lust is never far from us because of our sinful nature.

Yet when we truly see Jesus for who He is and follow Him daily, our love for Him begins to reshape our desires. The battle against lust is ultimately a battle of love—who or what we love most.

I am not a particularly fast driver, though I must admit that recently I received two speeding tickets simply from not paying close enough attention to the speed limit. There is perhaps no greater sanctification than public sanctification! Yet if I could, I might drive ninety miles per hour everywhere I go. I suspect my car could handle it, and I like to think I could control it at that speed—though I am not entirely sure.

But why don’t I drive ninety miles per hour everywhere? Because I love something more than getting somewhere quickly. I love the freedom I have to drive where I want within the law. If I constantly drove as fast as I wanted, I would accumulate enough tickets to lose my license.

In the same way, the clearer we see Jesus, the more we love Him. And the more we love Him, the more we desire to obey Him and choose Christ over sin. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that we run the Christian life by “looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

The battle against lust is not won in a single moment, nor through a single strategy. It is fought daily through repentance, discipline, and a growing love for Christ. As we fix our eyes on Him, our hearts are reshaped and our desires begin to change. In the final part of this series, we will continue exploring practical truths that help us pursue purity and walk faithfully with Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria