Lust, Desire, and Christ

Lust is, perhaps, the worst enemy of the young Christian knight. To give in to lust is the antithesis of the morals that the Christian knight hopes to maintain. Who can be a protector of the maiden who lets his mind wander to dark daydreams, who longs to use women to his own ends, who is a slave to his desires? You may smile at her; you may open the door for her; but will you do so with lust floating about in your brain? What good will all your kindness do if your thoughts are corrupt and evil? Will you be a knight on the outside and not within? Do you think that what is within does not design to overwhelm you and do you think that it will not one day soon manifest itself in your actions?

Lust must be destroyed. Turn to Christ; be united to Him. Destroy sin. Kill sin, or it will be killing you. A maiden does not need to be protected by an insincere knight. Perhaps you think, “You overstate the case.” I think not. Christ said “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Surely by giving into such thoughts you are not acting as a knight. You must remember that you are not the only protector of your sisters in Christ. God is their Protector as well. He hears your thoughts; He is there even when no one else is. How do you think the King will deal with a “knight” who lusts after His daughters?

All is not lost for the knight who struggles with lust, however. Turn to Christ; desire Him above all else. It is easy to be tempted when you are depressed, or tired, or stressed. Keep yourself away from such weakness by getting good rest, studying the Word, and praying constantly.

The best defense against lust is not to sit around and wait for the temptation, and then struggle to fight it, but rather the best defense is to constantly form habits of living in union with Christ, so that you renew your mind and your desires are shifted towards Christ. When you desire Him above all else, lust will begin to lose its grip, and that dark idol will fall, crumbling. For those struggling with deep, dark, habitual lust, pastoral counseling is recommended. Whatever it takes, you must repent and be free of this sin, so that you, as God's knight, may do His will in the kingdom of God.

Christians are united to Christ. Take hope in that fact - that He knows what it is like to be tempted, and that He stands beside you as the pure, mighty fortress. Take refuge under the shadow of His wings.