Lust is an intense desire for carnal things, which leads to sin. In some translations of the Bible, the word “lust” is translated by greed or covetous desire. Lust is an impulse to satisfy desires in the wrong way.
Lust uses the lie that we can find full satisfaction without God. Enjoying the good things in life within God’s will and blessing is very good. But when we try to use the things of the world to replace our need for fellowship with God, everything goes wrong.
Without God, nothing can satisfy us. Therefore, the world tells us that the solution is to have more, outside the limits created by God ( 1 John 2:16 ). Lust feeds on this need for something more and causes a desire for sinful things. These rampant desires can be sexual, for entertainment, for fame or power, won in the wrong way, for the wrong reasons.
How to avoid lust?
We can avoid and resist lust by focusing on the things of God. Only God can satisfy our deepest needs and guide us to a balanced and fulfilled life ( John 10:10 ). God’s Truth reveals and defeats the lies of the world, on which lust is based.
The Holy Spirit helps us to resist lust. He fights on our side to defeat our sinful nature ( Galatians 5: 16-17 ). With His help we can find true pleasure by following God’s plan.
