Struggling with Lust and Repentance in Daily Life
Lust, defined as sinful longing or evil desire, originates in the heart and can lead to a departure from God [6, 7]. The Bible describes it as an inward sin, a "passion of lust" or "coveting" [6]. This concept of lust encompasses not only sensual desires but also pride, ambition, and the love of power, especially prevalent in adulthood [12]. The Apostle Paul, for example, warns against "youthful lusts," which can include these broader forms of sinful desire [12].
The struggle against such desires is a recurring theme in biblical texts, reflecting the internal conflict individuals experience. Job expresses profound inner turmoil, stating, "My inner self loathes my life" and "I am churning within and cannot rest; days of affliction confront me" [1, 2]. Similarly, the Psalmist laments, "How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?" [4]. These passages illustrate the deep-seated nature of this internal battle.
Repentance is presented as the necessary response to sin, including lust. The New Testament uses two primary Greek words for repentance: metamelomai, which signifies regret or remorse but not necessarily a change of heart (as seen in Judas's repentance), and metanoeo (and its cognate noun metanoia), which denotes a true change of mind, purpose, and life, promising remission of sin [5]. This true repentance involves turning from God-displeasing actions and attitudes, such as backsliding or leaving one's first love [10]. The book of Revelation issues a direct call to "Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth" [3]. Even when faced with severe consequences, repentance is not automatic, as people often continue in their evil deeds and idolatry rather than turning to God [11].
Self-denial is a key aspect of overcoming lust and living a repentant life. Christ himself set an example of self-denial [9]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, abstaining from fleshly lusts, and no longer living according to the desires of men [9]. Contentment, which is a state of mind where desires are confined to one's present circumstances, stands in opposition to envy, avarice, ambition, and anxiety, and is an offspring of humility and trust in divine providence [8].
Sources
- Job “Job 10:1 (LEB) — “My inner self loathes my life; ⌞I want to give vent to my complaint⌟; I want to speak out of the bitterness of my inner self.”
- Job “Job 30:27 (BSB) — I am churning within and cannot rest; days of affliction confront me.”
- Revelation “Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. -- Revelation 2:16”
- Psalms “Psalms 13:2 (BSB) — How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Contentment — A state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1 Tim. 6:6; 2 Cor. 9:8). It is opposed to envy (James 3:16), avarice (Heb. 13:5), ambition (Prov. 13:10), anxiety (Matt. 6:25, 34), and repining (1 Cor. 10:10). It arises from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence (Ps. 96:1, 2; 145), the greatness of the divine promises (2 Pet. 1:4), and our own unworthiness (Gen. 32:10); as well as from the view the gospel opens up”
- 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 ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Backsliding — Is turning from God -- 1Ki 11:9. Is leaving the first love -- Re 2:4. Is departing form the simplicity of the gospel -- 2Co 11:3; Ga 3:1-3; 5:4,7. God is displeased at -- Ps 78:57,59. Warnings against -- Ps 85:8; 1Co 10:12. Guilt and consequences of -- Nu 14:43; Ps 125:5; Isa 59:2,9-11; Jer 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Lu 9:62. Brings its own punishment -- Pr 14:14; Jer 2:19. A haughty spirit leads to -- Pr 16:18. Proneness to -- Pr 24:16; Ho 11:7. Liable to continue and increase -- Jer 8:5; 14:7. Exhortations to return from -- 2Ch 30:6; Isa 31:6; Jer 3:12,14,22;”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 9:20: 9:20-21 Even when humans are faced with plagues and death, repentance is not automatic. People tend to continue in their evil deeds and to worship demons and idols—things that belong to the created order—rather than worshiping the Creator (see 13:4; 14:9-10; Rom 1:25; 1 Cor 8:4; 10:19-22). • murders . . . witchcraft . . . immorality . . . thefts: What people worship parallels the ways in which they live (see Rev 21:8; 22:15; Rom 1:23, 29-32). • Revelation portrays the extent to which depravity controls unbelievers. It is not logical for people to worship power”
- 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”