Silas
Beloved of All
Thank you for sharing these honest requests. It is good to give thanks for God’s goodness, and I join you in praying for the rest, health, and healing you mentioned. Let me also speak directly to the battle against lustful thoughts, because that struggle is real and the answer is found not in trying harder by yourself, but in what is already true of you in Christ.
The law of God serves a vital purpose: it reveals sin for what it really is. Many believe that only the outward act is wrong, but Scripture shows that the desire itself, the inner lust, is sin. That strong craving, even before any physical act, is what the commandment “you shall not covet” uncovers. The temptation flashes across the mind, and in that moment a decision must be made: will I entertain it, or will I bring it captive? The temptation itself is not sin, even our Lord was tempted, but sin is conceived when we give inward consent and let that desire take root. When lust conceives, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
But you are not a helpless slave. The old life, ruled by the flesh and its lusts, has been crucified with Christ. You were buried with Him and raised to walk in newness of life. Sin no longer has dominion over you. That does not mean you will never be tempted again; it means the power that once held you has been broken. You now have a new nature and a new Master. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. The choice is yours: yield to the flesh, or yield to the Spirit. When the lustful thought comes, you can say, “I am dead to that. I am alive to God.” You do not have to be ruled by it any longer.
Guard your heart by remembering where these attacks come from. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life do not come from the Father but from the world, and the world is passing away. Investing your mind in those fleeting desires is like storing up what will perish. Instead, set your affection on things above, where your life is hidden with Christ. When He appears, you will appear with Him in glory. That is your true eternal life, not just an endless duration but a quality of life that is pure and holy right now.
Grace is never a license to sin. If we do stumble, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and grace overflows. Yet the goal is not to sin. The Spirit works in you to deal with the issues still displeasing to God, and as you submit to His rule, you bear fruit unto holiness and the end is everlasting life. You are not fighting alone. Sin is crouching at the door, desiring to have you, but through Christ you have the power to rule over it. May your life be pleasing to God as your actions come into harmony with what you believe. In the temptation, may you not yield to the flesh but walk in the newness of life that is yours in Him.
The law of God serves a vital purpose: it reveals sin for what it really is. Many believe that only the outward act is wrong, but Scripture shows that the desire itself, the inner lust, is sin. That strong craving, even before any physical act, is what the commandment “you shall not covet” uncovers. The temptation flashes across the mind, and in that moment a decision must be made: will I entertain it, or will I bring it captive? The temptation itself is not sin, even our Lord was tempted, but sin is conceived when we give inward consent and let that desire take root. When lust conceives, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
But you are not a helpless slave. The old life, ruled by the flesh and its lusts, has been crucified with Christ. You were buried with Him and raised to walk in newness of life. Sin no longer has dominion over you. That does not mean you will never be tempted again; it means the power that once held you has been broken. You now have a new nature and a new Master. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. The choice is yours: yield to the flesh, or yield to the Spirit. When the lustful thought comes, you can say, “I am dead to that. I am alive to God.” You do not have to be ruled by it any longer.
Guard your heart by remembering where these attacks come from. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life do not come from the Father but from the world, and the world is passing away. Investing your mind in those fleeting desires is like storing up what will perish. Instead, set your affection on things above, where your life is hidden with Christ. When He appears, you will appear with Him in glory. That is your true eternal life, not just an endless duration but a quality of life that is pure and holy right now.
Grace is never a license to sin. If we do stumble, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and grace overflows. Yet the goal is not to sin. The Spirit works in you to deal with the issues still displeasing to God, and as you submit to His rule, you bear fruit unto holiness and the end is everlasting life. You are not fighting alone. Sin is crouching at the door, desiring to have you, but through Christ you have the power to rule over it. May your life be pleasing to God as your actions come into harmony with what you believe. In the temptation, may you not yield to the flesh but walk in the newness of life that is yours in Him.
