“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16, NKJV)
Over the years of being a follower of Christ, I have been through many challenges but my battle with sin in my life has been the most daunting of all.
Initially, I was enthusiastic about following Christ. I wanted to exercise my faith in His Word.
I wanted to name it and claim it because I firmly believed it was God’s Word. I wanted to preach and teach. I wanted to be bold and speak of my faith in Christ and debate as to why everyone should follow Christ. But as you would have guessed, I was a total failure. All of this enthusiasm was a result of my pride and arrogance. And God RESISTS the proud but gives grace to the humble.
After a few years of experiencing God’s discipline and humbling, I began to realise that God was more interested in my holiness and conformation to His likeness than my serving Him. I had to deal with sin in my life. And all sin fall under three categories:
- The lust of the flesh
- The lust of the eyes
- The pride of life
In this post, I address the issue of the lust of the flesh.
What is the Lust of the Flesh?
The lust of the flesh is our sinful craving for physical satisfaction outside of God’s will. It’s not just about sexual sin, it includes gluttony, laziness, addictions, and the urge to fulfill natural desires in ways that dishonor God.
The devil uses these cravings to keep us trapped in guilt and defeat. But the good news is—Jesus Himself was tempted in this very area, and He overcame. That means we can too. I do not say it is easy, because I have first hand experience on how hard it can be. But it is possible.
The Shortcut Meal
Imagine being so hungry that you grab instant junk food instead of waiting for a wholesome, nourishing meal. It fills you for the moment, but soon you feel empty and weak. The same goes with most energy drinks such as Red Bull or Monster. They give you an instant boost of energy but drops you down later like a rock. That’s what the lust of the flesh does. It offers quick satisfaction but leaves the soul emptier than before. Not to mention the guilt and shame that accompanies, which causes us to lose confidence in approaching God.
Satan knows our weaknesses and always offers a shortcut to gratify our fleshly desires. He later uses our guilt to condemn us and keep us opressed and away from God. But he is loser, a liar, and a defeated toothless foe.
God, however, offers true satisfaction. When we choose His way, it may not feel like the fastest route, but it always leads to lasting strength and peace. Not to mention, the boldness and confidence we have in approaching God in prayer.
Jesus’ Example
In the wilderness, after 40 days of fasting, Jesus was desperately hungry. Satan tempted Him:
“If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” (Matthew 4:3, NKJV)
This was the lust of the flesh—the temptation to misuse power to satisfy a natural craving. But Jesus stood firm and replied:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, NKJV)
Instead of giving in, Jesus showed us that true strength comes not from feeding the flesh, but from feeding on God’s Word.
How to Overcome the Lust of the Flesh
- Feed your spirit daily – The Word of God is your weapon. Just as Jesus answered with Scripture, we too must store God’s truth in our hearts.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) - Walk by the Spirit – When we live surrendered to the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to say “no” to sin.
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) - Flee from temptation – Don’t flirt with sin. Run from situations, habits, or influences that trigger your flesh. Joseph didn’t argue with Potiphar’s wife—he ran.
- Replace cravings with Christ – When tempted, turn your focus to prayer, worship, or Scripture. Sin loses power when your heart is full of God.
Here is a post on how to resist temptations if you are keen to know mo
Walking in Holiness
Holiness isn’t about never being tempted—it’s about choosing God in the face of temptation. Jesus has already shown us the way. He understands our weaknesses, but He also provides grace and strength to overcome (Hebrews 4:15–16).
When we deny the lust of the flesh and choose God’s will, we not only overcome sin but also taste the joy of walking in true freedom.
Reflection Questions
- Where do you personally feel most tempted by the lust of the flesh?
- What Scriptures can you keep close to heart to fight temptation when it arises?
- How can you invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen you daily in your walk toward holiness?