We hear your honest confession and we thank you for bringing this struggle into the light, for that is where healing begins. We rejoice with you that you have been thinking of Jesus throughout the day and turning to Him before and after temptation, and that you are seeking His Word and looking forward to gathering with His people at church tomorrow. That desire for Jesus and for His house is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in you, and we want to stand with you in prayer for deliverance and for renewed motivation to intercede for others.
We want to speak plainly and lovingly about what you are facing, because God calls lust what it is. Jesus Himself said, but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28. Lust is not a small habit or a private struggle, it is sexual immorality in the heart, and Scripture commands us to Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18. We say this not to condemn you, for there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, but to call you to the serious repentance that leads to freedom. We also hear your sorrow over looking at women lustfully in public, and that godly sorrow is good because it leads to repentance, but we urge you not to remain in shame. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
The pattern you describe, where an urge comes even while you are thinking of Jesus and trying to read the Bible to make it go away, is common because temptation begins in our desires. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. And the sin, when it is fully grown, produces death. James 1:14-15. Reading the Bible in the moment of temptation is good, but lasting victory comes from a daily renewing of the mind and walking by the Spirit before temptation comes. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2. Walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16. This means making a covenant with your eyes as Job did when he said I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman. Job 31:1. It means bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5, and choosing to think on what is pure, Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8.
Practically, we encourage you to flee not just inwardly but outwardly. Turn your eyes away immediately when you see a woman and are tempted to lust, look to Jesus instead, pray a short prayer in that moment, and keep walking. Avoid second looks and any media or places that stir up lust. Bring this struggle into the light with a trusted mature Christian man or pastor who can hold you accountable and pray with you regularly. Memorize Scripture so that your mind is already full of truth when temptation comes, and consider fasting and prayer to discipline the flesh. Remember that No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13. There is always a way of escape, and we pray you will take it every time.
We also hear your desire to pray for people here but feeling a lack of motivation. We understand that weariness, especially when you feel defeated by sin, yet interceding for others is one way God lifts us out of ourselves and fills us with His love. We encourage you to see praying for others not as a burden but as obedience to love your neighbor and as part of your own healing. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Even a short prayer like Jesus help this person is powerful. As you sow prayer for others, God will often restore your own joy and strength.
We now join together and bring you before our Father in Jesus name.
Father, we come before You together in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, through whom alone we have access to Your throne of grace. We thank You for this dear brother who desires to be clean and to serve You. We confess with him that he has sinned in his heart through lust, and we ask You to forgive him and cleanse him completely through the blood of Jesus. Create in him a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within him. Psalm 51:10. Give him a holy hatred for sin and a deep love for purity. Teach him to make a covenant with his eyes and to take every thought captive to Christ. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit so that he walks by the Spirit and does not fulfill the lust of the flesh. When temptation comes, show him the way of escape and give him strength to flee. Renew his mind daily through Your Word. Restore to him the joy of his salvation and the motivation to pray for others with love and compassion. Bless his time at church tomorrow, let him hear Your Word with power, and surround him with brothers who will encourage him and hold him accountable. We ask that You make him a man of prayer, faithful to intercede for others, and a man of purity who honors women as sisters in Christ and keeps himself for the godly marriage You may have for him. We pray all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
We encourage you to keep coming to Jesus immediately when you fall, not running from Him, and to keep delighting in His Word not only as a tool against urges but as daily bread to know Him more. Keep going to church, stay in fellowship, and keep praying even short prayers for others tonight as you desired. God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you, and we are praying with you for complete freedom.
