Summary

The article discusses a broader definition of lust, recognizing it as an intense desire for immediate gratification in various aspects of life, not just sexual, and offers a method to manage this impulse.

Abstract

The author of the article reveals a personal struggle with lust, suggesting that this is a common issue that extends beyond sexual desire. Citing the Merriam-Webster dictionary's definition of lust, which emphasizes sexual longing, the author then contrasts this with a more comprehensive understanding from theologian Oswald Chambers. Chambers defines lust as an insistent demand to have something immediately, whether it be physical or mental. The article illustrates this concept with examples such as the urge to consume fast food, binge on streaming services, or make impulsive online purchases, highlighting society's inclination towards instant gratification. To combat this pervasive lust problem, the author recommends practicing self-control by waiting for at least five minutes when faced with a lustful impulse, allowing the initial urge to subside and regaining control over one's actions. The article encourages readers to recognize their humanity in having such thoughts but to strive for better impulse management.

Opinions

The author believes that lust is not solely related to sex but is a broader issue of immediate gratification in various forms.
The societal trend towards valuing speed and convenience contributes to the prevalence of lustful behavior.
By adopting Oswald Chambers' definition of lust as an urgent need for instant satisfaction, individuals can identify and address their own lustful tendencies.
The article suggests that by simply waiting for a short period when tempted, individuals can significantly reduce the power of their lustful urges.
The author emphasizes that having lustful thoughts does not make one inherently sinful or bad but that the key is to not act on these impulses.
The author advocates for self-improvement over time, acknowledging that while one may occasionally give in to lustful desires, the goal is to progressively learn to wait and gain mastery over impulses.

You Have a Lust Problem You Probably Didn’t Know You Had

And so did I — until today.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a problem with lust. It started long before my hormones started raging as a teenage boy.

You’ve also had a problem with lust and probably still do, even though you may not even know it.

Before you click away, hear this first — lust is not always about sex, even though that’s what your parents or Sunday School teacher may have taught you.

Even the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary focuses on sex when it comes to lust. Its definition reads, “usually intense or unbridled sexual desire: lasciviousness <He was motivated more by lust than by love.>”

I agreed with this definition until this morning — when I read something that opened my mind to see a much deeper meaning of the word “lust.”

According to theologian Oswald Chambers in his popular devotional My Utmost for His Highest:

“Remember what lust is: ‘I must have it at once,’ whether it be the lust of the flesh or the lust of the mind.”

If you embrace this definition, as I do, 99% of us have a lust problem.

For example, do you eat fast food? When you pull up to the drive-through window at Chick-fil-A, you want your food, and you want it pronto. You must have it at once. If you’re like me, you start to eat the waffle fries before you’re even out of the parking lot.

Do you binge on Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, TikTok, or another streaming service? If you do, you must have your dopamine hit at once. Every time you even think of watching the next video, your body releases dopamine, which gives you a feeling of fulfillment, much like an orgasm (which also causes a dopamine release).

Do you compulsively buy things online? Amazon Prime is so popular because you can get same-day delivery on most orders over $25 if you place your order in the morning. Worst case, it arrives the next day. Jeff Bezos has made billions on our need to have things at once.

These are just a few examples that reflect a broader societal trend toward valuing speed and convenience in fulfilling needs and wants. I’m guilty of using all three excessively because “I must have it now.”

How to Conquer Our Lust Problem

By knowing what lust really is, we can conquer it in whatever forms it appears in our lives, whether it be sexual or psychological.

Heres how:

The next time you have a lustful thought (“I must have it now”), say one word to yourself: “WAIT.” Then make yourself wait, even if it’s just for five minutes. Oftentimes, the urge will pass during those five minutes.

We can dramatically reduce the effects of lust if we really want to. You can control your thoughts, which in turn will affect your actions.

Remember, you’re not an evil sinner if you have lustful thoughts. You’re human. Just don’t give in to them. And when you do succumb to the “have it now” impulse, vow to do better next time. Over time, you’ll learn to wait much more often and no longer be dominated by your impulses.

We got this.