Can I Be Free From Sinful Lust?

Sin in our lives is similar to a ring in a bull’s nose. Just as the ring empowers the owner to lead the bull around at his own will, so Satan is able to lead us wherever he pleases when we allow sin to stay in our lives. When we sin, we put ourselves into bondage and servitude. We become Satan’s servant and do his bidding. Jesus said, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34). The feeling of being enslaved to sin is familiar to all of us.

However, Jesus does not leave us in the captivity of Satan. In Luke 4:18, He says that His purpose is to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners. Through the power of His death on the cross, He offers us the opportunity to die to ourselves in openness and brokenness in order to be made free. “ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6–7). It is possible to be free from the sin of lust!

Christ’s victory over sin and death has set us free from bondage. This release does not mean temptation will cease. James 1:14 says, “But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured.” What then is the freedom we have in Christ? It is the freedom to do what is right! You know you are free when you can make the choice to resist temptation and follow after righteousness. God empowers us to walk in freedom from the bondage of sin. “that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4). (See also Galatians 2:20 and 5:24.)

Complete surrender to God and openness with your family will bring you into liberty. You are set free to live life with a new focus—to love and serve your family. “For you, brethren, have been called unto liberty: only make not liberty an occasion to the flesh, but by charity of the spirit serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13).

A Testimony of Victory

The following testimony from a father demonstrates that freedom from lust is possible.

“I had a wonderful experience tonight. I came home from work around 4:30 p.m., and the door was locked. That meant no one was home. It is pretty rare for me to come home to an empty house. In fact, I’d say today was the first time since I have come clean that it happened. Before I came clean, coming home to an empty house would have meant becoming overwhelmed with temptations to sin. I would have jumped at the chance to be alone in the house. Being alone was my worst temptation, because I could do whatever I wanted without fear of being caught. Sometimes I even subtly tried to arrange windows of time when everyone else would be gone so I could be alone and indulge my lustful appetites.

“How different it was today! Before I unlocked the door, I whispered a simple prayer to God for His protection. Then, when I came in, I called my wife and asked her where everybody was. She said they were at a soccer game and would not be home until around 6:00 p.m. She asked if I would be okay. I could honestly tell her that I would be fine. It felt so wonderful! I could be alone in the house and be a “normal” person! Or should I say, a submitted child of God! I actually worked on the computer too, answering emails and creating invoices. In the past, “working” on the computer was my big fake-out for indulging in lustful activities. Then I took a shower, shaved, and ironed a shirt. I was giddy with the freedom I had in my spirit. I was singing praise songs out loud—good thing no one was here!

Then I realized how sad it is that I lived such a lascivious lifestyle and had done such horrible things for so long. I had unleashed demonic forces to destroy my family. I felt I didn’t deserve to be happy ever again. Then I remembered that Jesus paid the price for my sin. I realized how much He has forgiven me. His deep, unfailing love for me is the source of my joy—not the circumstances of what is happening around me. It felt so good to be free! I am willing to do whatever it takes for God to take what Satan intended for evil and turn it to good.

My earnest prayer is that my testimony will help a man who is just now entering that long road of lasciviousness. Perhaps he will hear of my freedom and be encouraged to come clean before taking another step towards destruction.”