Overcoming the Shadows of Lust and other Addictions
This weeks reading is a long one, and some might find it hard to read. But persevere my brothers and sisters and take heart. Lust is a shadow that clouds our hearts, just like any other addiction, but through Christ, we can walk in purity and wholeness.
Scripture Says
- “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
- “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
- “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
A little Soul Bearing from Me
I can talk about it now, because I want you to know that there is always a way out of addiction. That no matter who we are, we are not immune to the human condition!
So, what do I mean by addiction – lust, drugs, alcohol, smoking, porn & gambling, to name a few.
As a collective “we” humans think everything is easy and that we are all living in this great big happy bubble. But what happens when that bubble bursts? Spiritually, we go to pieces, we break, we suffer, we fail, we die.
That’s what happened to me due to suffering extreme anxiety in my mid twenties. I was prescribed tranquillisers – fine I guess. The problem was that I was kept on those for over 18 years, with the issue of addiction being a real part of my life. To not have them would send me into a spiral of panic, fear and more anxiety. I couldn’t even leave the house back then, I had become a recluse.
A new doctor suggested that I try a sugar water substitution and a liquid version of my meds. Take the dose, top up the bottle with sugar water, simple! Trouble was for me, my addiction was too strong. As the liquid became more diluted, I became more anxious.
But I had a backup plan, because I had a stash of meds hidden away. Just incase things got too bad for me. “Just to help a little” I would tell myself. I’d returned to the pills before I even knew it.
You see, the temptation was just too strong for me. It wasn’t because I was weak, it was because they had become my crutch, my lifeline, because that’s all I had. A very human condition – addiction1.
Then I was challenged by someone who said “I would never stop taking them, because I was weak and worthless.” But it lit something inside of me, a kind of anger mixed with bravery.
I disposed of all my meds, but it wasn’t easy and I DO NOT recommend this to anyone else. But for me, it worked. But the allure of the meds was strong. During the night I would be covered in sweat, trembling, with very painful cramps all over. The lack of sleep alone, was debilitating enough, but I wouldn’t give in, not after what that person had said to me.
I also learned from a Therapist I started to see, that the battle wasn’t mine alone, that many others where going through the same kind of experience, just as I was. In essence, I was part of a collective “we”.
During these struggles, I would obsess on “why me”, until I finally got the answer! There is no me – but there is a “we”. For me, the “we” was Jesus. He was the only person that I felt, would listen and understand. That of course, was a long time before I actually gave my life to Him. The very person who in my deepest and darkest of times, I would blame for all that had occurred to me. He was listening to me all the time, waiting for me.
The Collective Struggle
Addiction is not an isolated issue; it’s a challenge many face, whether through media, personal relationships, or societal pressures. It’s also not just related to lust, but to drugs, alcohol, porn2, gambling, smoking, food, possessions, and so much more.
But what does God have to say about this pervasive issue in our lives?
That’s a thoughtful question – and honestly, the Bible talks about this a lot, even if it doesn’t always use the modern word “addiction.”
The Bible treats addictions as forms of bondage – things that start promising pleasure or relief but end up mastering us instead of serving us. In 1 Corinthians 6:12, it says “I will not be mastered by anything.”
1. Addictions = slavery of the heart
The Bible consistently frames sinful habits as enslavement, not just “bad choices.” “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34)
This applies whether it’s:
- lust or porn
- alcohol or drugs
- gambling or spending
- food, possessions, power, approval
The issue isn’t just the behaviour – it’s that something has taken control of what belongs to God.
2. Lust & pornography
The Bible is very direct here, but also very realistic about human struggle.
“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own desire and enticed.” (James 1:14)
Jesus goes even deeper than behaviour:
“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
Lust isn’t just sexual – it’s using another person to feed desire rather than loving them as a whole human being.
3. Alcohol & drugs
The Bible doesn’t say all alcohol is evil, but it’s extremely clear about loss of control.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.” (Ephesians 5:18)
“A drunkard… will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:10)
The core sin here is surrendering self-control, which the Bible sees as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
4. Gambling & love of money
The Bible doesn’t mention casinos, but it does warn repeatedly about chasing money or quick gain.
“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
“Whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 28:20)
Gambling fits the biblical warning about trusting chance instead of God, and craving reward without work.
5. Why addictions are spiritually dangerous
Because they slowly:
- numb your conscience
- distort your desires
- replace God as your source of comfort
- isolate you in shame
That verse could apply to any addiction – “Their god is their stomach3… their mind is set on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:19)
6. The Bible’s tone: truth + mercy
Here’s the part people often miss. The Bible is not shocked by addiction – and it doesn’t treat addicts as hopeless.
“Such were some of you. But you were washed… sanctified… justified.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Jesus consistently moved toward people trapped in destructive cycles, not away from them.
7. The solution the Bible offers
Not just “try harder,” but transformation:
- New heart, not just new habits (Ezekiel 36:26)
- Community, not isolation (James 5:16)
- Grace, not shame (Romans 8:1)
- Power from the Spirit, not willpower alone (Galatians 5:16)
Something to take home
- The Bible doesn’t say: “If you struggle, you’re evil.” It says: “If you’re enslaved, you need freedom – and God wants to give it.”
- Addiction is a shadow that all too easily clouds our hearts, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard of purity – through the power of His Spirit, we can overcome.
- Together, by supporting one another and relying on God’s strength, we can walk in the light of His truth and love.
- Let us commit today to pursue purity, both as individuals and as a community, knowing that in doing so, we reflect the holiness of our Savior.
Let’s pray together
Our Father in Heaven, I come to You aware of my weakness, not pretending I’m stronger than I am. You see the urges I fight, the thoughts I wish I didn’t have, the habits that promise comfort but leave me empty.
Please guard my heart and my mind. When temptation rises, give me clarity instead of confusion, strength instead of surrender, and a way out when I feel trapped. Teach my desires to rest in You. Where lust distorts love, restore what is true. Where addiction pulls me toward escape, draw me toward freedom. Replace cravings that harm me with a hunger for what gives life.
Holy Spirit, help me pause when I want to give in. Remind me that I am not owned by my urges, that I am not defined by my struggles, and that I am never alone in this fight. Father, create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Lead me away from situations that weaken me and toward people and practices that help me heal.
I trust that You are patient, not disgusted; powerful, not distant; and committed to my freedom more than I am. I place my body, my mind, and my desires in Your care today. Walk with me – moment by moment – into freedom.
In the mighty and freeing name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Peace be with you – Muz.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)
- Dependency on tranquillisers – A UK survey projected that around 0.69 % of patients registered with GPs in England were taking benzodiazepines (tranquillisers) for more than one year – far longer than recommended. Applied to national NHS patient numbers, this suggests about 296,000 people in England may be long-term users of benzodiazepines (with potential dependency issues). (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28716996/) ↩︎
- Did you know three-quarters of British men (76%) say they have watched porn, compared to around half of women (53%). Around a third of men (36%) say they watch pornography at least once a week, including 13% who watch porn every day or most days, while just 4% of women say they watch porn at least once a week. (Source: https://yougov.co.uk/society/articles/42945-how-often-do-britons-watch-porn) ↩︎
- I liken this verse to the stomach being the ever hungry, devouring entity, that drives our wants, and consequently, our sins. ↩︎