Overcoming Lust and Sinful Self.

Proverbs 4:23

 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety... with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

-1 Timothy 2:9, 10

One important step in conquering lust is to avoid exposure to it. If you have a weakness with lust, then don't watch movies and tv shows that have lustful things in them. If you can't go to the beach without getting hooked into staring at the girls, go to the mountains. It may seem silly or even demeaning to limit yourself in ways that you might not see many other people doing. But if your goal is really to live like the Lord wants you to, these seemingly drastic measures must be taken until you have strong enough self-control to either endure the temptation if you must or decide not to not be around it at all. Watching things that are meant specifically to be lustful is definitely to be avoided, and isn't a godly thing to do even if you don't have a weakness with lust.

In conclusion, God wants us to be happy, and has given every person a deep, inner need for intimacy with a mate. This need is very powerful and should be channeled and controlled until finally it becomes what God wants it to be. When it is allowed to run loose, contrary to the word of God, it is a very destructive force that can be taken advantage of by the enemy. God will bring true love to those who seek their ultimate intimacy with the Lord. Just as a husband and wife are one with each other and dependent on each other, so we are made one with God through Christ and realize our dependence on him for all things, present and eternal. The ultimate marriage will happen at the marriage supper of the Lamb, when the bride of Christ (the church) is joined to the Lamb of God forever. A marriage on earth is exemplary of this and just a foretaste of the divine love to come in eternity. So be strong in the Lord! Study God's word and seek the will of the Father. Remember that the devil's enticements are always deceitful: he may offer you pleasure now but it comes with a horrific price payable sooner or later.

I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

-John 8:34-36 (NIV)