“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14-15

Desire comes in two forms: good and bad. From the above scripture, lust is any strong desire outside the will of God. Lust begins as a seed, is conceived as an evil desire, and gives birth to sin. Just like a pregnant woman in her first few months doesn't show any physical signs, so does lust, till it eventually matures into death. Just like a pregnant woman in her first few months doesn't show any physical signs, so does lust, till it eventually matures into death.

Lust is introduced through sight, hearing, touch, smell, etc. A story is told of a great man of God in 1987 who got involved in a sexual scandal. He narrated that it all began at age nine when he had access to pornographic pictures and movies. The devil never accessed these “files” till he was a big man in the ministry more than forty years later. After so many years the seed manifested itself.

The following are 3 ways to build a defence against Lust:

#1. Resist before sin is born. Beloved, you must learn to do the preventive by guarding especially your eyes and ears. Be very careful whom you listen to, and what you watch.

#2. Do not entertain anything outside the will of the Lord. One of the ways to know the will of the Lord for your life is through the Word of God. Speak the Word of the Lord to the situation that does not conform to the Word. “It is written” is always powerful, so do well to use it against any wrong desire.

#3. To change a desire, you have to starve it or go on a fast. Fasting weakens the flesh and its desires. And while you are going on a food fast, make sure to starve any remaining carnal desires, which means, saying NO to wrong or lustful thoughts as often as they come to mind.

Beloved, whatever you give your attention to, you desire. Therefore, give your attention to the Word of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to focus on your Word and the strength to say no to lustful thoughts in Jesus’ name. Amen.