Fighting Lust: The Fight Of Faith For Life
Lust becomes controlling when people are persuaded that they will be fulfilled if they follow their own desires. One force that pulls us into sexual sin is the false promise of happiness. Many Christians want to live for God’s glory, but are pulled by the more powerful forces of their own desires to be happy than by the call of duty.
In more than two decades of helping those who struggle with sexual sin, I have learned that many Christian leaders have a view of salvation that is disconnected from reality, and this view invalidates the teaching of Scripture. As a result, they often think and live as pagans. Jesus taught that those who do not fight the battle with lust will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better to lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:28,29). It is better to lose one’s eye than one’s soul.
Anyone who gives himself over to impurity will be lost (Galatians 5:19–21). The poison of lust is a deadly eternal killer. The antidote is to make a covenant with our eyes (Job 31:1). This does not mean pastors can avoid everything that may be titillating. Rather, it means to enter the fight of faith with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17, niv). It is the fight for eternal life.
Based on the promises of the Word of God, pastors must not only be sure of their calling, but must also remain satisfied with all that God will do in and through them for His glory. All the man-made, negative consequences will not prevent sexual sin.
Ministers must walk worthy of their calling with sufficient spiritual and personal satisfaction. This means enjoying a satisfied life now through His promises.
The pain and disappointment in ministry are nullified by the realization that pastors have nothing to lose, whether it is their lives or their ministries. Neither is there motivation for earthly gain such as wealth or status. Pastors have nothing to prove when they use their gifts and their abilities. But ministers live to hear the words, “Well done, faithful servant!” Therefore, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
Endnote
1. Scripture references are from the English Standard Version unless indicated otherwise.