Struggling with Lust and Doubt in Christian Life
Lust, in a biblical context, refers to sinful longing or coveting, an inward sin that can lead to alienation from God [1, 6]. It is not merely a desire for something but an evil desire, often associated with "indwelling sin" [6]. The Bible identifies various forms of lust, including "fleshly lusts" and "worldly lusts," which individuals are called to deny and mortify [4, 10].
The concept of lust extends beyond carnal desires. Adam Clarke, commenting on 2 Timothy 2:22, notes that "youthful lusts" encompass not only sensual desires but also pride, ambition, and the "lust of power," which he describes as a particularly "bewitching passion" that can be ruinous in both church and state [8]. Matthew Henry similarly cautions against "youthful lusts," emphasizing that even devout individuals must guard against them [12]. The apostle Paul advises fleeing these lusts and instead pursuing "righteousness, faith, charity, peace" [12].
Doubt, while distinct from lust, can also be a significant challenge. The apostle Peter, for instance, experienced moments when his faith was "tried to the utmost" by "speculative difficulties," causing him to struggle against a "recoil from his Lord's harsh statements" [9]. Such periods can make "all truth seem ready to depart" [9]. The New Testament encourages self-examination to ascertain one's faith, as seen in 2 Corinthians 13:5, which urges, "Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves" [2, 5]. This self-assessment is crucial to ensure that "Jesus Christ is in you," lest one be "reprobate" or "disqualified" [2, 5].
The Christian life is often characterized by struggles and trials. Suffering for faith is presented as a common experience [7]. The Bible also speaks of being "straitened between two" desires, such as the desire to be with Christ versus remaining on earth [3]. Even Christ himself experienced profound trouble in his soul when contemplating his impending death [11]. These struggles, whether against internal desires or external doubts, are part of the human experience within the Christian journey.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lust — Sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 13:5 (ASV) — Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.”
- Philippians “Philippians 1:23 (DRC) — But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- 2 Corinthians “Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. -- 2 Corinthians 13:5”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Concupiscence — Desire, Rom. 7:8 (R.V., "coveting"); Col. 3:5 (R.V., "desire"). The "lust of concupiscence" (1 Thess. 4:5; R.V., "passion of lust") denotes evil desire, indwelling sin.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 3:3: 3:3 we are destined for such troubles: Suffering for the faith is often part of a Christian’s life (1:6; 2:14; Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 1:6; 2:21; 3:17; 4:19).”
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 2:22: Flee also youthful lusts - Not only all irregular and sensual desires, but pride, ambition, and, above all, the lust of power, to which most men will sacrifice all other propensities, their ease, pleasure, health, etc. This is the most bewitching passion in the human heart. Both in Church and state it is ruinous; but particularly so in the former. Timothy was now between thirty and forty years of age, the very age in which ambition and the love of power most generally prevail. Carnal pleasures are the sins of youth; ambition and the love of power the sins of midd”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 6:69: And we believe,--(See on Mat 16:16). Peter seems to have added this not merely--probably not so much--as an assurance to his Lord of his heart's belief in Him, as for the purpose of fortifying himself and his faithful brethren against that recoil from his Lord's harsh statements which he was probably struggling against with difficulty at that moment. Note.--There are seasons when one's faith is tried to the utmost, particularly by speculative difficulties; the spiritual eye then swims, and all truth seems ready to depart from us. At such seasons, a clear”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:11: As heretofore he exhorted them to walk worthily of their calling, in contradistinction to their own former walk, so now he exhorts them to glorify God before unbelievers. Dearly beloved--He gains their attention to his exhortation by assuring them of his love. strangers and pilgrims-- (Pe1 1:17). Sojourners, literally, settlers having a house in a city without being citizens in respect to the rights of citizenship; a picture of the Christian's position on earth; and pilgrims, staying for a time in a foreign land. FLACIUS thus analyzes the exhortat”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 12:27: Now is my soul troubled--He means at the prospect of His death, just alluded to. Strange view of the Cross this, immediately after representing it as the hour of His glory! (Joh 12:23). But the two views naturally meet, and blend into one. It was the Greeks, one might say, that troubled Him. Ah! they shall see Jesus, but to Him it shall be a costly sight. and what shall I say?--He is in a strait betwixt two. The death of the cross was, and could not but be, appalling to His spirit. But to shrink from absolute subjection to the Father, was worse still.”
- 2 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Timothy 2:22: I. Paul here exhorts Timothy to beware of youthful lusts, Ti2 2:22. Though he was a holy good man, very much mortified to the world, yet Paul thought it necessary to caution him against youthful lusts: "Flee them, take all possible care and pains to keep thyself pure from them." The lusts of the flesh are youthful lusts, which young people must carefully watch against, and the best must not be secure. He prescribes an excellent remedy against youthful lusts: Follow righteousness, faith, charity peace, etc. Observe, 1. Youthful lusts are very dangerous, for whic”