Actions to Grow Self-Control & Overcome Lust

Written on 11/29/2024

For Self-Control:

  • Make sure to read your Bible every day! This will renew your mind and center your thoughts for every day (Romans 12:2).
  • Meet with fellow believers at least once per week for continual encouragement and accountability (Hebrews 10:24-25).

  • Work out hard, and fast and pray (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

    • Also practice moderation and restraint in anything that you have a tendency to do excessively (like eating).

    • Get vigorous exercise every week (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Then, to further increase self-control, get vigorous exercise at least 3-4 times per week (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). You can increase the length of time or the intensity of your workout for a decided number of days to grow even more.
    • To continue to increase self-discipline and self-control, fast (eating no calories and drinking only water) for a full 24 hours once per week (Psalm 35:13, Psalm 69:10). And praying, while fasting, for greater self-control in the area of lust. Then, do at least one longer fast (3 days or more), and plan to do them on a regular basis.

  • If you're married, and you know that sexual lust is an issue, fast and pray while abstaining from sex (1 Corinthians 7:4-5).

  • Write an hour-by-hour schedule for yourself so that you use you time more wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16).
  • Fill your calendar with productive or helpful activities so that you don't have idle time (Ezekiel 16:49).
  • Remove yourself from unhealthy relationships that were causing temptation (1 Corinthians 15:33).

 

Steps to avoid lust / covetousness:

  • Repent from laziness and work diligently (Proverbs 21:25-26). Don't be idle (Ezekiel 16:49-50).

  • Read in the Word about lust, covetousness, and its destructive effects, and this will help you grow your desire to avoid this sin (1 Corinthians 10:6).

  • Spend more time with believers who will push you to live righteously (2 Timothy 2:22).

  • Stop living for yourself! A selfish attitude will cause covetousness (2 Timothy 3:2, James 4:1-3).

  • Moment-by-moment repentance from lust:

    • Don't put yourself in situations where you'll be tempted (Romans 13:14).

    • Don't look at lustful content (Isaiah 33:15).

    • Don't look at something if it causes lust/temptation (Job 31:1).

    • Do not ponder sin even for a moment (Proverbs 5:6).