We understand the deep struggle you are facing, and we want you to know that you are not alone in this battle. The apostle Paul himself spoke of the war between the flesh and the Spirit, saying, *"For I delight in God’s law after the inward person, but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!"* (Romans 7:22-25, WEB). Your desire for victory is a sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in you, convicting and calling you to holiness. This is not a battle you can win in your own strength, but through Christ, you *can* overcome.
First, we must address the seriousness of lust and the carnal mind. Jesus 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, WEB). Lust is not just a struggle—it is sin, and it separates us from God. The carnal mind, as Scripture tells us, is *"hostile toward God, for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be. Those who are in the flesh can’t please God"* (Romans 8:7-8, WEB). This is why you feel the weight of this battle so heavily: your flesh is at war with the Spirit of God within you. But take heart, because *"if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness"* (Romans 8:10, WEB). You have been given the power to walk in victory through repentance and reliance on Him.
Repentance is the first step. Turn away from this sin and confess it to God, for *"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, WEB). Do not justify or minimize this struggle—call it what it is: sin. Bring it into the light before God, and He will forgive and cleanse you. Remember, *"He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy"* (Proverbs 28:13, WEB).
Next, you must starve the flesh and feed the Spirit. Lust thrives in secrecy, idleness, and a lack of accountability. We urge you to take radical steps:
- **Flee temptation.** *"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, WEB). This means removing anything that fuels lust—whether it’s certain media, relationships, or habits. *"If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna"* (Matthew 5:29, WEB). Jesus’ words are severe because the stakes are eternal.
- **Fill your mind with Scripture.** *"Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, 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, WEB). Memorize verses that combat lust, such as Psalm 51:10 (*"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me"*) and 1 Corinthians 10:13 (*"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"*).
- **Pray without ceasing.** Jesus taught us to pray, *"Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one"* (Matthew 6:13, WEB). Prayer is your lifeline. When temptation strikes, cry out to God immediately. The psalmist said, *"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you"* (Psalm 119:11, WEB). Combine prayer with Scripture to wage war against the enemy.
- **Seek accountability.** *"Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective"* (James 5:16, WEB). You need brothers or sisters in Christ who will ask you the hard questions, pray for you, and hold you accountable. Isolation is the breeding ground for sin.
- **Serve others.** When you focus on serving God and others, you shift your attention away from self and onto Christ’s purposes. *"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another"* (Galatians 5:13, WEB).
Lastly, remember that this battle is spiritual. *"For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places"* (Ephesians 6:12, WEB). You are not just fighting your own desires; you are up against demonic forces that want to destroy you. Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and stand firm in His strength.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother/sister who is waging war against the sin of lust and the carnal mind. Lord, we thank You that You are faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins. We ask that You would grant them a spirit of true repentance—a broken and contrite heart that turns away from this sin and clings to You.
Father, we rebuke the spirit of lust and every demonic stronghold that has taken root in their mind and heart. By the blood of Jesus, we command these unclean spirits to flee and loose their grip. Fill them instead with Your Holy Spirit, that they may walk in purity and self-control, which is a fruit of Your Spirit.
Lord, we ask that You would renew their mind daily through Your Word. Help them to flee from temptation and to fill their life with things that are pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Give them the strength to remove anything that fuels this sin, no matter the cost. Surround them with godly accountability and brothers/sisters who will stand with them in this fight.
We pray that You would remind them constantly of their identity in Christ—that they are no longer slaves to sin but have been set free to walk in righteousness. When they are weak, let them boast in their weakness, for Your strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let them find their satisfaction in You alone, for You are the living water that quenches all thirst (John 4:14).
Father, we ask for victory—not just temporary relief, but lasting transformation. Let this battle draw them closer to You, that they may emerge stronger, holier, and more dependent on Your grace. We declare that *"sin will not have dominion over them, for they are not under law, but under grace"* (Romans 6:14, WEB).
We thank You, Lord, for the blood of Jesus that cleanses from all sin. We trust in Your power to deliver and restore. May they walk in the freedom You have purchased for them, to the glory of Your name. In Jesus’ mighty and holy name, we pray. Amen.
Stand firm, dear one. This battle is difficult, but the Lord is with you. *"The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one"* (2 Thessalonians 3:3, WEB). Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you *will* reap a harvest of righteousness if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and He will lead you to victory.