Hi ladies! I pray you are enjoying your week and taking some to rest in the Lord. Open your Bibles to Psalm 16:11 & Matthew 5:27-30. “Jesus fulfills the connection we crave and brings us into a family of believers who gave us a rich community.”
Lust is a battle of the mind and heart that distorts God’s perfect design for love, relationships, and purity. While the world often normalizes lustful thoughts and actions, the Bible calls believers to a higher standard—a life of holiness and freedom through Christ. In passages Psalm 16:11 and Matthew 5:27-30, they offer transformative guidance for overcoming lust with the power of Christ. Lust can look a lot like greed as well, but the Bible tends to typically link lust with sexual desires. Lust can connect to a few different things besides the typical physical need. Lust can be connected to loneliness or lack of general intimacy with other people. This is where we start to look and fall into pornography, using it as an escape to satisfy our desires for connection. I understand the struggle in this area. It can feel as if there’s a hold on us that we cannot break. Ask for the Holy Spirit to convict you and seek the Lord’s help in your struggle. He did it for me- He will do it for you.
Psalm 16:11 declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This verse reveals that true satisfaction is found not in fleeting, sinful desires but in the presence of God. Lust thrives on counterfeit pleasures, promising fulfillment yet leaving emptiness in its wake. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that God alone offers fullness of joy and eternal pleasures. To fight lust, we must realign our desires with His perfect will. This involves immersing ourselves in God’s Word, worship, and prayer, allowing His presence to fill the void that lust seeks to exploit. When we delight in God, our hearts are transformed, and lesser desires lose their grip. In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus addresses the seriousness of lust, saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Jesus calls us to a higher standard—not just avoiding outward sin but addressing the heart’s desires. He goes on to use vivid imagery, instructing us to “tear out” a lustful eye or “cut off” a sinful hand if they lead us astray (Matthew 5:29-30). While not literal, this example identifies the need for radical action in combating lust. It may mean setting boundaries on what we watch, where we go, or whom we engage with. It could involve seeking accountability, practicing self-discipline, or eliminating sources of temptation from our lives. These steps are not about earning righteousness but about aligning our lives with God’s call to purity and holiness.
Both passages point to the ultimate truth: victory over lust is possible through Christ. Psalm 16:11 directs us to the joy of His presence, while Matthew 5:27-30 calls us to take serious action in removing sin. Yet, we are not alone in this fight. Christ Himself strengthens us for the battle, offering forgiveness when we stumble and power to overcome through the Holy Spirit. Prayer and reliance on Christ are key to breaking free from the cycle of lust. When we confess our struggles, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9). As we depend on His grace, we can replace sinful thoughts with God-honoring ones, fix our eyes on eternal treasures, and grow in purity of heart. Fighting lust is not a solitary or instantaneous journey—it requires daily surrender to Christ and intentional choices to pursue holiness. By embracing the fullness of joy in God’s presence and committing to radical action against sin, we can experience true freedom and victory. Christ offers us not only deliverance but lasting satisfaction for our deepest longings. As we walk in His power, we can forsake the empty promises of lust and embrace the abundant life He has prepared for us.
Let’s discuss what we just learned. I have some questions that I want you to think about, write them down, and if you’d like to comment below, we can discuss them together!
- Read 1 John 2:16-17. Why does lust not come from the Father? How does knowing that earthly pleasures are fleeting help you in your struggles with lust?
- In what ways can you guard yourself against what induces lust?
- Read Philippians 4:8. Write out examples of what is true, honorable, pure, etc. Sit and meditate on this for a moment. Keep your mind focused on Christ- on who He is and the extravagant love He has for you!
Today’s verse for Lent prayer is 1 Peter 2:24-25 and the prayer prompt is, “Pray to be humbled over Christ’s sacrifice for you. Ask the Lord to help you live for righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
If you are struggling in this area, if you are feeling as if you have no one with whom you can be open with and speaking this sin out into the light, please message me! I would love to pray over you. My beloved sister, you are not alone. There are others who have struggled before you and who are struggling right now. Take hope in our beautiful Saviour. He will not forsake you.
“It is Jesus Christ alone who gives us true fulfillment and satisfaction.”
I hope you enjoy this study and decide to come back. Tomorrow we will discuss Going from Hopelessness to Hopefulness. I hope you enjoy the beautiful sunset that was made by our loving Father and y’all have a wonderful night.