We first need to understand what Lust is. I must say, it's not a very nice word. Sometimes we avoid saying it because when we think of lust, most times, it's almost synonymous with sexual issues. While there's some truth in that, it is not completely true. So what is lust? 

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)

Lust is a desire, a craving or a longing for something that is forbidden or evil. It's usually very strong and uncontrollable. And nothing good is ever produced from lust. There are many things that the bible has to say about it. But one thing we should pay attention to is that it is youthful. Why does the bible say this? Is it true that only youths lust? Is it true that this desire or longing can only be found in the youth? No! Even the older ones can lust. But, if we are going to be honest, lust troubles more youths than it does any other group of people. 

                                                           Where does lust come from?

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16 (KJV)

When we read the bible, we should pay attention to the writings and carefully meditate upon them. The bible says, "ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." The Scripture above tells us where lust comes from. Lust comes from the flesh. There is nothing good about the flesh. The flesh produces all kinds of evils. 

Everyday is a battle between two different realms. The realm of the flesh and the realm of the spirit. Choosing to live in the former produces all kinds of sin. Knowing that our flesh has the potential to bring us down is a good thing. Many times, we like to blame the devil. Truly, the devil is evil. But we also cannot rule out this thing called the flesh. 

                                                  Is lust really that bad?

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. - James 1:14-15(KJV)

Lust is more dangerous than we can imagine. The bible says, "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin." Lust produces sin. Whenever we are enticed or drawn away of our own lusts, we walk on a path that eventually leads us to sin. Sin also has a pattern. And it begins with what we lust after. This is something to think about. What do we lust after? There is no innocent lust. Lust can never be innocent. 

Think of lust as a baby snake. When a snake is little, we have better chances of killing it than when it's bigger. If we allow lust to grow within us, it can later consume us. Because, lust produces sin. And sin produces death. So if you are still wondering if it's really that bad? Well, yes! It is terrible! 

                                      What do young people lust after?

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. - Mark 4:19 (KJV)

We can lust after many things. What lust does is that it makes us become discontented. The bible says, "and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word." What God wants us to become is already a done deal. God is not making us become better. He is not making us become who we are destined to be. He already did. Whatever God destined for us can be found in His word. But the lusts of other things choke the word; making us unfruitful and unable to become. God's word makes us become. We cannot become without God's word. 

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. - Acts 20:32 (KJV)

The bible says, "I commend you to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up." What else are we looking for? Everything that we will become is already in the word. Remember God doesn't work in our timeline. He is beyond time. Time limits us. But God is not confined by space. He is not confined by time. He is beyond all of that. God already gave us the big picture. And we find the big picture in Christ Jesus. 

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. - Mark 1:17(KJV)

Jesus is the One who makes us become. Whatever God planned for us can only be fulfilled or manifested in Jesus Christ. Jesus made the disciples become fishers of men. So, whatever plans that God has for you are in Jesus Christ. 

Lust delays. It makes us pursue something that is not able to bring satisfaction. Whether it's money. Relationships. Power. or sex. None of that satisfies. Lust is insatiable. 

                                                         What are you thirsty for?

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. - John 4:13-14(KJV)

One of the hardest things to accept is our true selves. People like to run away from who they are. And that's why a lot of times we fail to change. Nobody can change themselves. Left to our own devices, we'd self-destruct. We all need Jesus. The woman in this story was thirsty. She had a thing for men. What do we secretly lust after? The bible tells us she had had five husbands, and was living with another man. How many guys should you have to date before you find the right one? Five? One could have been right. But she went from one man to another. This isn't me trying to judge her. No! But some of us might be like this woman and need to be told that Jesus is the One we long for. 

Deep within ourselves, we know Jesus is the One we need. The bible says, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." Oh boy, I like that! Shall never thirst? Wait, so Jesus can dry up our thirst for other things? Wait, hold on. Jesus can dry up those cold and mean lusts? Jesus? He can do that? 

Jesus can do anything. I like that the bible says, "whosoever." It doesn't matter what we have done in the past. It doesn't matter what we did even yesterday. None of that matters when we come to Jesus. Maybe we have had the most difficult struggles. With our sexuality. With our character. And maybe we have become social misfits. But, the bible says, "Whosoever drinketh of the water." If your bible says the same thing as mine, then we can all agree that Jesus is giving us a second chance. 

Even believers need healing. Some of us might be born again, but we might have some things that we haven't healed from. And those things clutter our souls. God wants us to release everything to Him. Remember what Jesus said? The bible says, "and the lust of other things entering in, choke the word." 

We shouldn't and must't allow anything to cause us to have strange love for the things in the world. It is hard. Really it is. So how do we overcome?

                                                              Flee

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)

Fleeing means to escape safely out of danger. I know most of us expected prayer. And of course, we should pray. Have you ever thought about Joseph? When a lady approached him, he literally ran away. There was no time to pray. The bible says, "Wisdom is a principal thing." I believe Joseph exercised the Spirit of wisdom when he chose to run. 

Fleeing also means to stay away from something that could harm us. The best way of overcoming sin is staying away from it. But how can we stay away from sin? 

                                                                Building a culture of fellowship 

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. - Acts 2:42 (KJV) 

I have come to appreciate the importance of belonging to a church. In church, we can learn so many things. Now, some people don't like church. Christians even. There is no church that will do things perfectly. But if you can find a bible-teaching church, you'll have a better life. And in the church, we can make friends who can even become accountability partners. The reason why the early church did so many wonders is because they fellowshipped. They didn't do things alone. They did things together. 

                                                                   Prayer

Father, we thank you and acknowledge you right now. We appreciate who you are. We give our lives to you. We cannot do anything without you. Lord, we ask that you heal our hearts and search us. If you find any strange love Lord, we ask that you cleanse us from all unrighteousness and help us to live in you and for you. We cannot walk in the path of righteousness without your guidance. We allow Holy Spirit to move in us and direct us to the path that you carefully chose for us. We let go of every thirst. we let go of every pain. We let it all go. Thank you father for healing us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen