Overcoming lust

LUST: WINNING THE BATTLE

I have come to realize that one of the greatest problem facing any healthy unmarried young believer today is the issues of sexuality: particularly, the ability not to lust.

Everyday we preach against lust and fornication and blast away the topics on the pulpit. Usually, whenever these messages are preached, the preacher keeps his eyes on the young people in the church, probably trying to see if he can catch a glimpse of anyone who might be guilty by their facial expressions or demeanor in response to the message. Most preachers usually see the young people as always doing something wrong. To them every young believer is a suspect of fornication.

This message is very easy to preach, especially if you are a married preacher who frequently have sex with your wife. However, most of the preachers do not understand the other side of the coin which is: a young man or woman with sexual urges (which is absolutely normal) trying to control it in the face of a world that is constantly inviting you to fornicate or watch pornography or any other thing, at every minute of your existence.

Most of the preachers grew up in the early days when sexual immorality wasn't as bad as it is today. So they don't understand sexual immorality in the 21st century and the challenges that a Christian brother or sister is going through on a daily basis. If only these preachers knew, their messages wouldn't be directed to young people as if they are constant sinners.

Being a young unmarried Christian in today's world is the hardest thing there is, especially in terms of managing your sexual urge. It is the toughest battle every young unmarried Christian dreads.

Most people would say: "well, the Holy Spirit will help you". Of course he will, but people who usually say this are not in tune with reality. Most of them are just ignorant and perhaps hypocrites.

God has been generous to make provisions for the young people to manage their situations, struggles and hidden sins. The provision is this:

"Confess your sins, one to another".

This singular scripture is the key to overcoming hidden sins because most hidden sins are sexual sins. Hidden sins thrive if they stay hidden. But when you can share that problem with someone who believes in you and prays with you, you will overcome. Demons hate being exposed.

We have brothers and sisters in Christ not to fight and argue over persons or doctrine but to edify and help each other in situations like this. This is why God placed us in the company of believers. Most hidden sins cannot go until you share it with someone.

But before you can share your deepest secrets, you need to be sure that the person will not hate you, despise you or broadcast your sins to the public (which sadly, is the manner of most believers today). True love covers a multitude of sin (not expose them). Sadly, most believers today are just busybodies, who upon hearing of your sins, transmits the information straight to the pastor, who in turn, broadcasts it on the pulpit, on Sunday morning (I am speaking by experience).

Also,how can you share your secrets with someone who believes you are not a true believer because you disagree on doctrinal issues?

The devil is using doctrinal issues and revelations to tear us apart and individually subdue us. It is the principle of divide and conquer. If he can ensure that brothers disagree and don't have fellowship together, he can defeat us. And the tool he is using is doctrine.

We should over come this strategy of the devil. Tear down your walls of separation. Get together, have fellowship. Don't despise your brother because you don't agree on doctrine. Once you stay together, you win individually and collectively. Doctrinal knowledge will fail. Prophecies will cease....but Love never fails. It doesn't matter how much scriptures or quotes of the prophet you know, if you cannot love that man that disagree with you on doctrine, you are empty and have no place in the kingdom of heaven.

We are all fighting the devil in different ways and on different fronts. Fighting ourselves is the devil's distraction.

Therefore:

Dear preacher, take it easy on the young ones. Try to understand them. Get closer to them. Understand their struggle. Understand the world they are living in. You are having sex with your wife, so you may not feel their pain. But the young ones are at the forefront of this sexual war. Sometimes, all they need is love and understanding. Stop being judgemental with your messages and approach. If they fall, lift them up with love and not with bias and judgements. Remember, you were once a young person who wasn't so good yourself. Most of this young people are good people who want to live a pleasing life to God, away from evil. They know the evil already: all they want to know are practical steps to steer clear of sin. They love God and believe you. Help them through this journey: stop being a preacher and become friend.

Dear young believer, don't feel bad as if you are the only one going through such a huge sexual challenge. No, you are not. If you have erred, confess your sins to God: he is faithful and just to forgive you. Keep pushing: other believers around the world are fighting similar battles. Don't be deterred by doctrinal differences. Keep loving one another. Keep the faith strong. Keep the spirit burning. If you fall, don't stay down. Rise up, dust yourself and press on. You must overcome. The battle is not over until you win.

The Lord who predestinated you and called you to be conformed to his image will perfect his good work in your life. Only believe, all things are possible.

God bless you.