Lust: The Trouble with Thirst Traps

Alright, church, let’s talk about a topic that doesn’t get enough real talk—lust. Yeah, I said it. Lust. That thing people pretend doesn’t affect them… until it does. Lust isn’t just a problem for “those people over there.” It’s something all of us wrestle with—young, old, married, single, pastors… yes, even that sweet old lady who’s been in church since Moses parted the Red Sea.

But here’s the deal: Lust can wreck your life if you let it run wild. So today, we’re going to break it down—what it is, what it does, and how we can avoid it. Buckle up, this is gonna be real.

WHAT IS LUST, REALLY?

Let’s keep it simple. Lust is a distorted desire. God gave us healthy desires—like the desire for companionship, love, and yes, even attraction. But lust twists those desires into something selfish, destructive, and out of control. It’s when you start seeing people as objects for your pleasure instead of souls made in God’s image.

It’s the difference between “Wow, that person is beautiful” and “Wow, I can’t stop thinking about them in a way that dishonors both of us.”

Lust makes you think you need something God never intended for you. And it doesn’t just show up in the obvious ways. It’s not just about sexual temptation—it can creep in through fantasy, emotional affairs, even binge-watching romance movies to fill a void.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF LUST – IT’S A TRAP!

Let me break it down—lust is like junk food for the soul. It promises satisfaction but leaves you empty.

1. DISTORTED VISION:

Lust makes you focus on what you want instead of who God created someone to be. You stop seeing people as children of God and start seeing them as objects. That’s a problem because Jesus said:

“But I tell you, anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” — Matthew 5:28

Translation: The problem starts way before physical actions. It starts in your heart.

2. BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS:

Lust destroys trust. It makes you selfish and harms intimacy. Ever tried to build a deep relationship while hiding secret sin? It’s like building a house on a foundation made of Jell-O.

3. GUILT & SHAME:

Lust leaves you feeling guilty and empty. The devil loves to trap people in a shame cycle: Temptation → Sin → Guilt → Hide from God → Repeat. Newsflash: If you’re stuck in that cycle, God still loves you. But He wants to break you out of it, not leave you in it.

4. SPIRITUAL DISTANCE:

Lust pulls you further from God. Why? Because you start craving temporary pleasures over eternal fulfillment.

SO HOW DO WE AVOID THE LUST TRAP?

Now for the good stuff—how to fight back!

1. FLEE, DON’T FLIRT.

Listen, you can’t fight lust by seeing how close you can get to the edge. That’s like saying, “How close can I hold this grenade without pulling the pin?”

Joseph in the Bible literally ran from temptation (Genesis 39:12). He didn’t negotiate. He didn’t try to justify it. He dipped. Sometimes the holiest thing you can do is leave the situation.

2. GUARD YOUR EYES & HEART.

Your eyes are the gateway to your mind. Jesus said:

“If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out.” (Matthew 5:29)

Now, don’t show up to church next week with an eye patch. Jesus was making a point—if what you watch or scroll through is feeding lust, cut it off. Unfollow. Turn it off. Set boundaries.

3. ACCOUNTABILITY IS KEY.

Lust loves secrecy. It grows best in the dark. Find a trusted friend or mentor who can help you stay on track. Real accountability isn’t just someone saying, “You okay, bro?” It’s someone who will call you out with love.

4. FILL THE VOID WITH JESUS, NOT JUNK.

Lust often grows in the empty spaces of our hearts. When you’re lonely, bored, or stressed, it whispers, “This will make you feel better.” Spoiler: It won’t.

Instead, fill those spaces with God’s Word, worship, community, and real relationships. Remember, Jesus didn’t just say “Don’t sin.” He said, “Abide in Me.” The more you’re filled with Him, the less room there is for lust to take root.

5. FIGHT WITH SCRIPTURE.

Lust is a lie, so you need to combat it with truth. When Jesus was tempted, He quoted Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). Arm yourself with verses like:

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” — Job 31:1

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7

THE GOOD NEWS: GRACE WINS.

Maybe you’re sitting here thinking, “I’ve already messed up. I’m too far gone.”

Let me tell you—that’s a lie straight from hell.

God’s grace is bigger than your worst mistakes. Lust doesn’t define you—Jesus does. If you’ve fallen, confess it. Repent. And trust that God can restore and heal.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, thank You for Your grace and truth. Help us to see others through Your eyes, not through the lens of lust. Give us strength to resist temptation and wisdom to guard our hearts. Remind us daily that we are Yours, called to purity and love. Amen.

Now go be a light this week! And remember, you’re not “thirsty”—you’re just in need of Living Water.