“Don’t touch. Don’t taste. Don’t handle”. We hear these three “rules” often when learning how to fight—and overcome—lust.
The problem is, mere rule-keeping does not itself get to the heart of lust. This is one of the great lessons Paul teaches in Scripture. Merely knowing the law only aggravates our lusts (Romans 7:7-12), and following rigid ascetic regulations—don’t touch, don’t taste, don’t handle—is “of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:20-23).
If the “law” itself is not able to turn our hearts away from temptation, then how exactly do we fight against a spirit of lust? And how can we finally overcome it?
Editor’s Note: Are you a teenager struggling with lust? Before reading this post, I encourage you to check out this article we wrote especially for teens, How to Overcome Lust: 4 Tips for Teens.
How the Bible Teaches Us to Fight Lust
In 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul offers some of the best, most concise bits of Biblical advice on how to overcome lust: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
Commit it to memory. Chew on it daily. Let your mind marinate in it, for in it lies three biblical strategies for fighting lust.
See related: What is Lust in the Bible?
1. Run From Lust
“So flee youthful passions”
“Passions” refer to our cravings, our longings, and our desires. More specifically, the passage speaks of “youthful passions.” These fleshly lusts are said to “wage war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). On the surface, these cravings are anchored in the members of our body (Romans 6:12), but as we look deeper, we find they stem from our sinful hearts (Romans 7:7). Ultimately, these passions are forms of idolatry (Colossians 3:5), revolving our lives and desires around created things rather than the Creator.
See related: For singles: How to Handle Strong Sex Drive in a God-Honoring Way
We must run from these things. Every Christian, even though he or she is indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, still lives in a mortal body surrounded by worldly amusements. These youthful lusts stubbornly cling to our heels. As we see these passions stirred in us, we must habitually flee from them.
- This might mean mentally fleeing: bouncing our thoughts away from lustful imaginations.
- This might mean visually fleeing: bouncing our eyes away from lustful images.
- This might mean physically fleeing: walking (or running) away from tempting situations.
See related: Overcoming Temptation: Bible Verses and Principles to Help You Resist Sin
2. Run to Christ
“. . . pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace”
It is not enough to flee from youthful lusts. We must run toward a new passion. We are to “pursue,” that is, eagerly and swiftly run toward Christlikeness.
Christ promises His people a heart of:
- Righteousness (real integrity, a passion for justice, and a life pleasing to God)
- Faith (strong and welcome conviction and trust in God)
- Love (benevolent affection toward God and others)
- Peace (tranquility in the heart and harmony with God and others)
We are to run hard after these things each day knowing these character qualities are how we were created to live. We pursue these things knowing it is our destiny to live this way. A billion years from now, when sin is a distant memory, we will be living lives of love, peace, and righteousness in the kingdom of God. Having this hope we purify ourselves, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
3. Run With Godly Friends
“. . . along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
We must not only run from lust and toward God’s vision for our lives, but we must also run with our brothers and sisters with the same vision. We must all find companions for this stretch of the road, those who share our faith and convictions, those in the common struggle for holiness.
These friends should be those who “call on the Lord,” an expression for those who are saved (Acts 22:16; Romans 10:13). These are other men and women who have also cried out to God for the forgiveness of their sins from a “pure” (genuine) heart.
Running with others involves a certain level of intentionality. It is not enough to simply know others around us are on the same journey because they profess the Christian faith. We must have real running companions, those who actually help us flee youthful passions and pursue a Christlike heart.
James 5:16 and Hebrews 10:24-25 offer four key building blocks that give structure to how Christian accountability should look. These building blocks are: meeting together, confession of sin, prayer, and encouragement.
Meeting together is the foundation. This includes all the basic methods of communication and conversation: meeting for coffee, talking on the phone, texting, writing emails, or anything that involves a meeting of minds. The central pillar in the room is confession of sin: getting honest with God and one another about what we are doing that we shouldn’t do or not doing what we should. The outer walls that support and protect this relationship are prayer and encouragement.
Why Can’t I Just Stop Lusting?
People ask me all the time, “Why can’t I just stop lusting?” I share my response to these people in this video below, which happens to include references to 2 Timothy 2:22. We believe so strongly that this verse contains the best strategy for how to overcome lust and quit porn that we actually used it as the foundation for a 40-day challenge called Overcome Porn. This challenge walks you through these three strategies and equips you with some of our best resources to put porn in your past for good. So watch this video, and give Overcome Porn: The 40-Day Challenge a try today.
Fighting against lust isn’t easy, but it’s also not something that you need to do alone. Through prayer, Scripture, accountability, and a heartfelt desire to flee from lustful passions, you can resist temptation and overcome lust.
We’d love to hear from you. What has God taught you about breaking free from lust? Comment below!
I was searching on google about lust because I was feeling troubled about how quickly I find myself attracted to females. I am constantly repenting as I browse the internet or watch tv or walk around places with females, etc.
I think something nice to do after falling because of those sins you guys are talking about is to fast and set up structures of what you can do next time you feel tempted again.
For instance, you can set up a rule that next time you feel tempted to commit that certain sin of watching sexual videos you will get off the computer and go take a shower, or if you are feeling tempted while on your phone you will put the phone away, etc. As long as you are feeling tempted consider yourself in “time out mode” from the tv or computer or phone or whatever it is that will give you access to porn.
We have been givin a wonderful hope to look forward to. Jesus is a mighty teacher. I wish everyone who has commented here blessings. Take care and pray for me if you read this and want to. Bye.
2 Corinthians 2:10 cast down IMAGINATIONS and every high thing that exalteh itself to the knowledge of God and bring into CAPTIVITY every thought to the obedience of Christ!!!! This my friends I advice to embed into your hearts this is Paul’s actual verse on spiritual warfare
The verse that I read that jumped out and leached on to me! This is what the word of god being sharper then any two edged sword means!
I am 20 years old. I am a woman. I have struggled and been failing with my sexual lusts since I was a young child. I was addicted to porn and enjoyed the company of boys since I was 12 even though I still have not yet had sex in the basic conventional meaning, although ive done nearly everything else for pleasure. I was saved when I was around 14 but I have never been able to become completely free of my bodily needs. I have a long distance boyfriend of 4 years (he started out living here so its not always been this way) that struggles the same way with me as I do him. I know he is not in his faith the way that I am and this is part of my problem because I struggle and he and I can never seem to resist when our needs come screaming. Both of us have a past in pornography which I have been able to quit up to a very very small degree(although I know an addiction is an addiction and this means nothing). Trust me I am not happy with myself and have resorted to cutting and drinking in mild amounts just to make sure I feel some sort of punishment for my actions as its not like God punishes me physically like this until I die. I am terrified of losing my salvation because I cant break free…I know I must look to God and I have studied my Bible for years with my family and am extensively aware of things that even many people older than me are unaware of in the Bible…the problem is I have yet to come to any definite answers in my most agonizing questions…..im scared and everyone has different opinions and I don’t know what to do…I have spent years begging for God to answer me…I can go some time without my worst sins and begin to think I’m doing ok, but then my human desires break me…ive heard people tell me that I need to leave anyone whom I have an unevenly yoked relationship with but it is not really an option for me, if u understand love and how sometimes u need another person because they are ur best friend and fix so many things about u, then u understand why my boyfriend also breaks everything in me even though he has no idea…I hate myself. I wish I could die but I’m too much of a coward and I know my family needs me and I know my boyfriend would stand no chance without me as I’m all he has…im sorry. I truly am to whoever reads this as I am only taking up more space and I will probably receive the same advice I’m always given whenever I get like this…its only this way when I’m alone….I am fully aware of the demonic world and I understand so much about God yet I know I know nothing…I desperately wish he spoke to me as he speaks to every other person I know…maybe I’m not ready…maybe I don’t want it bad enough…maybe I just love pitying myself…I know I’m loved by the Lord, I desperately want to obey him but trying to resist such primal needs makes it agonizing………I want to change. I want answers. I want to understand but I can never find the absolute truth without a doubt…im scared. I’m sorry…I needed somewhere that I could speak and maybe be heard because things are bad in my head right now…I know none of this makes any sense and my writing is crap right now….I should do so many things at this point. I should talk to someone in a church but who could I speak to who wont judge me as they don’t know me and my whole story and all I would hear is the advice I give myself…I should try therapy but who has the money/time for that…I should pray but ive done this prayer so many times and begged God to no end with hardly a result…..please…is there anybody who understands??? is there anybody who can actually help????
Hey there. I am so, so sorry for the pain you’re in, and for how hurt you’ve felt for so long.
Please GO TO YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. I suspect that you’re very seriously depressed, and that medication would be very, very helpful to you. You’re already self-medicating with cutting and drinking; it’s much, much healthier to be evaluated by a medical professional and be monitored with FDA-approved medications that can actually treat the biological needs of your body, rather than just giving you some temporary relief.
Second, please FIND A COUNSELOR. Yes, it may cost something (although most counselors I know work on a sliding scale that’s income-based) and yes, it will take time. But there IS help, there IS healing. When you find a good counselor, then you’ve found that place where you can say anything and be accepted as you are.
I really think that’s what you need most of all: the experience of Love. Because I really don’t think you can fix or change or force yourself to be different. It’s only when you experience Love that you’re able to leave behind self-harming behaviors and instead live in the truth: you are God’s Beloved. God loves you with an everlasting love, and that Love never leaves you, never forsakes you. You can’t be separated from that Love by anything: life, death, angels, demons, things present, things past. That Love is a truth that exists whether you know it or not–but when you know it, when you experience it, it revolutionlizes your life. That’s been my experience anyway.
The shame and loathing that you feel is not from God. GOD LOVES YOU. God doesn’t feel those things at all, ever; there’s only feels love and compassion for you.
I think you’re feeling a little bit of that Love with your boyfriend. And that’s true in every relationship where there’s kindness and compassion: Love lives there; there’s a bit of God’s light.
So.
Do what you know you need to do: find a therapist and start talking. Let that person love you just as you are. Accept that Love. And let it grow until it breaks down the self-harm. Love works! I know it does! I’ve seen it, for myself, and for many others.
And don’t forget: see your doctor right away and get that medical help.
Peace to you, dear friend,
Kay
Hey KC2,
I SINCERELY appreciate your courage to put this up! I REALLY do understand how you feel. The way out of this is simply “Stop Struggling” with your passion.It is inherent and it doesn’t die. You can simply turn it to the Lord in sincere and Genuine faith believing that God is more than willing to help you than you thought. It may take a little time to gain mastery over your passion but you would get it right sometimes soon enough.
Simply tell the LORD ”HELP ME” and HE will…It may sound so unrealistic but it works as you see God as the only and final resort on this matter!
Be Free in Jesus’ name!
Hello. I got involved with someone who I’m in love with. We’re both Christians and we get involved in church activities. We’re in love with each other and want to get married in four years time, but we’re struggling with lust. We cut communication yesterday, but we’re really hurting and it’s making us unstable. I can’t stop crying. Please what do you suggest that we do. We didn’t have sex. We just got involved in other sexual acts.
Hello, Dionetta – you’re in a tough spot. What do you see in the Bible that might help? Paul encourages those who are burning with passion to get married. It does not sound like you will be able to wait 4 years. I doubt the lust is going to disappear. It sounds like you have some tough choices to make. Talk to friends. Search God’s Word. Talk it out with your boyfriend. Then, make a decision.
I find this message interesting I’m must commend the good work though
I am battling With as a teenager…. I thank God I’m winning
U know u can’t just say u ve won
It’s something that’s gradual
Thank
I’m almost 1 year old as a believer in christ.I struggled with watching porn and masturbation but i overcomed this through prayers and all came to an End when i got saved this year.but now am struggling with sexual dreams,i feel the devil is bringing this attack of nightmares.It’s so heart braking,i feel it’s my fault and i brought this to myself,my heart is broken to pieces.I Don’t know how to get out of this.please pray for me to overcome this please.
I, ve been struggling my self in masturbation and ponagraphy, lust for 3 years since i was 14 years I was an addict I would sometimes masturbate everyday more than 1 time some more tha 2 times a day and I would watch pornography , sometimes just get in the internet to see pornographic emages I struggled with this sin since 2013, what made me to realy be delieverd its the fact that I first had to know the truth brothers and sister’s when we have the right true doctrine we can be set free but when we dont know the truth we wont be sanctified for its the truth that sanctifies. so I searched throughout the internet if masturbation is a sin or not and I would find variety of answer some would say no some yes , I remember I started listening to paul washers sermons and other from other men of GOD so one day i decided to END with all of this sin I dont remember if I masturbation then felt guilty and prayed or I just felt it in my heart to pray so I kneeled and prayed with a sincere heart and told jesus “I cant stop sinning I keep doing the same thing please help me because I cant for myself” I remember saying words like that the I remember time kept going on and on and I believed the Gospel and then jesus baptized me and filled me with HOLY SPIRIT I just shared what I recalled and thats how it happened listen and look at him because he is in the door trying to help just let him in (HOLLY SPIRIT) brothers he is close not far away just say cone and help me HOLY SPIRIT
Hello – thank you for sharing openly about your struggle and victory! You’re touching on something very important – that it is a daily realization that Jesus is right there. I think it also helps to think of it as not just a daily struggle to stay clean, but a daily CLAIM of VICTORY for Jesus! Like you say, He is close and not far away, and is right there with us.
Peace, Chris
Covenant Eyes
to flee from sexual thoughts , adultry , masturbating, fornicarion etc is easy the bible tells us live in the spirit so u can not do the wills of the fleh the flesh and spirit are in a greate big war so u can not do want u want to do so has christian we either in the spirit or the flesh.see u can try running away from sin , if u try to stop sin with your strengths you wont make it , now your strength is Jesus . tell me what can be impossible for u if you depend in GOD I believe nothing!. flesh is the origin of sin if we leen on the flesh we will have sexual dream, lust, adultry fornication etc we need to run to christ in the tabernacle nothing can attack u so lets run to christ and be the in the place of prayer
It is tough today to be free from adultery of the heart with the way women dress today.
Ben, you will never be free from “adultery of the heart” until you stop blaming others and take responsibility for yourself. No matter what they wear or don’t wear, women are not objects to be blamed for your thought life. Shame on the inside of you will turn into blame on the outside: the most common of defense mechanisms. Deal with your own shame, and you’ll be able to stop blaming others. Peace to you, Kay
Amen and God Bless You
Chris