Fighting Captivity: Lust

There once was a girl who felt she could never find love, never find victory, and never find peace.

Sexual sins are the heavy skeletons we Christians like to bury deep in the back of the darkest closet; we fear that dragging out that ol’ bag of bones will make friends and family run fast in the other direction. We fear being vulnerable.

 I am no different. I’m scared to death to share my struggles with lust, masturbation, and pornography. What will my fellow sisters in Christ think? What if my friends see this? What will I do if Jim-dear ever comes across my blog? (Jim-dear=reference to future, unknown hubby J)

Nevertheless, I am so tired of hiding what Christ has delivered me from. I am tired of not being able to relate with others my own age because they see my head-covering and assume I’m from planet Perfection. I’m saddened by the lack of openness among Christian women struggling with lust.

So, this is my story. When I was in my early preteen years I discovered the captive-taking power of masturbation and pornography. My favorite websites to browse were chat forums full of vile sin. The sweet innocence my parents desperately tried to protect was thrown out the window by my very own hands.

The world tries to convince young people (and older ones, too) that freedom and happiness equates fulfilling our desires. This is not true.

I am so thankful that Jesus continued to pursue my wretched heart and eventually won the battle. I became a Christian. And life changed from that moment; I finally, for the first time in my life, had the ability to say no to my lusts.

So, this is where it is now. I still struggle. I still fail.

But Jesus still loves me.

I’m learning how to truly let Jesus be my all-in-all. I’m discovering that my loneliness and temptations are, more often than not, reminders that I need to draw closer to Christ.

Sister in Christ, I want you to know that you are not alone. I want you to know that Jesus really is all you need. I want you to know that it is totally possible to be pure and at peace with God.

Jesus is a real person. He knows our thoughts, ours pasts, and He still offers forgiveness and victory over sin. He frees the captives and He lifts the face of the ashamed and makes them whole.

Resting in His faithful person,

Frannie 

P.S. It is my heart’s desire for these posts to be encouraging and uplifting. I know there will be some who will shirk away from posts like this; that’s okay. And if you have battled the formidable foe, Lust, drop me an anonymous (or non-anonymous) comment and share your testimony or ways you have gained victory. Comments like that would be encouraging! I do caution giving only as much detail as would be honoring and edifying. Blessings to you!