As I was launching this website, a friend with a lot of expertise in this area advised me to fish around for a better name than Overcoming Lust.
She thought that Overcoming Lust was too in-your-face and unimaginative. It did not resonate or create an emotional response. She was likely correct. Others who write about this subject have come up with cool, thought-provoking names like Living True Ministries, Every Man’s Battle and Setting Captives Free.
Along that line, I considered More than Conquerors and Create a Clean Heart. Each have merit. No doubt there are far better ideas. I admit that I am not into marketing. I don’t like to beat around the bush and the choice of the title Overcoming Lust reflects that.
I would, however, if starting over, consider the name Lust for Dummies. Here is why: The message that I am hammering away at is not rocket science. In fact once you get it, it seems rather obvious. I see myself as one of the four starving lepers in Samaria, who stumbled on a feast and a fortune and realized that they needed to share their good news with others (2 Kings 7:9). Christians are starving and diseased because of lust even though the answer is right in front of them. I am eager to share my little, rather clear-cut insights about lust with the many who are stumbling around just as I was. I am here to give you hope, but it is a blunt message—you can and must beat this thing.
I don’t pretend to know how to solve all the other problems you may face—things like how to straighten out your marriage or making right all the wrongs you may have caused. I can’t write warm devotionals or hold your hand as you pursue deeper sanctification. I am not a touchy feely kind of guy.
However, I do know that if you are having trouble in those areas and are also unable to effectively overcome lust in your life, you had better wise up. Dealing with this sin and overcoming it needs to be your first priority. Trying to build a great marriage or a sterling Christian walk with that monkey on your back simply won’t work.
So here, again, is the message. You must stop using your eyes to feed your lustful heart. You need to put the brakes on your thoughts and desires and recoil from this destructive sin. If you are a confirmed slave to lust, this will not be easy. Your heart is used to getting every possible, little “harmless” pleasure buzz it can squeeze out of life. Stop doing it. This message is from Jesus. It is His commandment and you would be wise to obey it. Abide in Christ and obey him. Read here and here for an introduction to this way of looking at lust if this is new to you.
Jesus called those who heard what He had to say but didn’t obey dummies—“foolish,” actually. He compared this kind of a dummy to the guy who built his house on top of sand (Matthew 7:24-29). It may have been an elaborate, wonderful house but he was going about it like a dummy. Perhaps the book Building Your Home for Dummies was written for that kind of builder. Are you acting like a dummy when it comes to lust? Don’t be a dummy.
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In line with your article today I read in Galatians 6:7-8: “..whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Following the pangs of lust is a way of sowing to our flesh and that will lead to corruption and spiritual death. Following the leadings of the Holy Spirit will bring life.
So true, Paul. Thanks for the input
Great title and great way to connect with popular culture–Lust for Dummies. Like “Lust Busters.” Kelly O’Donnell
I like “lust busters” too, Kelly. I am stuck with overcoming lust even if it does not connect with popular culture (sigh).
If you think you can dabble in lustful pursuits and not get caught or suffer any consequences, then you, like I was, truly are a “dummy.” Your sin will find you out. It cost me a career, almost my marriage, and the joy of honestly serving God. My fellowship with Him was shattered by my lust, but fortunately the Lord sustained His faithfulness in my life, and when I was finally willing to lay bare my sin and truly repent of it, He was waiting for me. By His grace I was blessed and fortunate to escape a certain spiritual death, but I can assure you, the road I traveled was full of collateral damage. If you are even just nibbling at the edges of lust and/or pornography, I urge you to stop, confess, repent and obey, and receive your heavenly Father’s loving forgiveness. Do it before it’s too late.
Thank you, James, for this heartfelt message. May you continue to walk in victory!
‘LUST 4 DUMMIES,’ could not be a better title as far as I’m concerned.
Though I spent most of my life wandering around in lust, I didn’t put 2 & 2 together.
When I finely started seeking answers to my life style (DRUNKENNESS) I started to see when they would say: Alcoholism was but a symptom, I had problems. I decided to look a littler deeper at my life. Needless to say, it was an eye-opener.
When we see the word LUST, at least for me; I think in sexual terms. But lust plays an inordinate place in our lives beyond sex.
Just pull up a thesaurus and synonym dictionary and search out the word:
noun appetite, passion
verb desire strongly
And you will see why it covers more than just sexual.
Probably a great Bible Study when we think about the fact that the Old Testament is an example for us:
1Co 10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.
1Co 10:2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
1Co 10:3 They all ate the same spiritual food
1Co 10:4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
1Co 10:5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
1Co 10:6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
1Co 10:7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”
1Co 10:8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did–and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.
1Co 10:9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did–and were killed by snakes.
1Co 10:10 And do not grumble, as some of them did–and were killed by the destroying angel.
1Co 10:11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.
1Co 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
1Co 10:15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. (NIV)