The Bible says, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)

Lusts of the flesh refer to our strong desires for things that seem pleasurable but do not bring lasting satisfaction and peace. A person who is controlled by lust pursues money, fame, power, pleasure, or sexual gratification in ways that God forbids. In reality, that person is in bondage to his unbounded desires and is shackled by sin.

God forbids these inordinate pursuits, not because he wants to make our lives miserable, but because He knows that lust destroys our spiritual health and the possibility of a relationship with Him. He realizes what people often do not understand — that lusts are self-gratifying appetites that cause people to worship themselves and God’s creation in place of God the Creator. The consequences for this idolatry are misery here and punishment in the future. Many people who have passed from this life are presently experiencing eternal torment because they yielded to lust and never experienced freedom in Jesus.

Lusts of the flesh, particularly sexual passions, are so strong that they cannot be overcome without Jesus abiding in a person’s heart. While some people do not even try to control their lusts but engage in whatever they feel like doing, Satan deceives others into thinking they can control their lusts in their own strength. Either way, the result is failure and death. People who try to control their lusts in their own power become slaves to their passions rather than becoming servants of God.

The binding powers of pornography are some of the strongest chains of all addictive behaviors. With its ease of accessibility and its defiling influence, this world is collapsing under the weight of immorality fueled by porn. Statistics reveal that a vast majority of individuals in our country, both male and female, are ensnared in the corruption of sexual addiction. Many of them are desperate for freedom. There is a solution for this bondage, and that solution is Jesus. He is the ultimate deliverer!

It should be recognized that Jesus equates the lustful look with the actual activity of sin. To desire is as sinful as to do! “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

If you are struggling with pornography or other sexual addictions do not give up in defeat. Consider some directives from Romans 13:11-14.

1. “Cast off the works of darkness” (verse 12). Repent of wickedness and confess all past failures. Identify and turn from habits that cause you to be ensnared in this particular sin.
2. “Put on the armor of light” (verse 12). Light is truth and it reveals the secret things that are done in darkness. Live in openness with those close to you. Living in the light is spiritual protection against evil.
3. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 14). Jesus must be our life, our wisdom, and our strength. Without Jesus, there is no lasting deliverance from sin. Jesus is Lord and we must allow him to have full control of our life and our fleshly appetites.
4. “Make no provision for the flesh” (verse 14). We must draw lines to keep us away from the sources of temptation. There are certain things we must turn from where we are particularly tempted in. We need to set safeguards to make it difficult to sin.

For more information concerning how to live in victory see Living Above Lust.

“Whatsoever things are true, …honest, …just, …pure, …lovely, …of good report… think on these things.” Philippians 4:8