Bondage to Freedom: Conquering Lust and Sexual Strongholds, Part 1

More than a passing thought or physical attraction—it’s a fire that consumes, a hunger that’s never satisfied, a trap that tightens its grip the more you feed it. Whispers of promised satisfaction leave emptiness in its wake. Many face this struggle, and yet it is shrouded in secrecy and shame. Lust masquerades as harmless, but it quietly erodes the soul and severs your connection with God.

“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 NIV

Lust doesn’t start with an action—it begins with a heart posture, shaping the very way we think and respond to the world around us. It slowly chips away your inner peace, rewiring your mind and training it to seek pleasure over purity and indulgence over self-control. 

You’re convinced it’s normal because “everyone does it.” You’re hoodwinked into thinking “it’s harmless.” But if you were to come face to face with this master manipulator, you would find a deceiver clothed in beauty but rotting underneath.

Lust will walk into your life with a seductive smile and wrap it’s arms around you like a long-lost friend. It will convince you; you need it because lust is persistent, never fully satisfied. It always hungers for more. So what does the Bible say about lust? How does this struggle affect our hearts, minds, and spirits?

Lust: A Condition of the Heart

Lust is a condition of the heart that distorts our desires and enslaves us to sin. Jesus Himself warns in Matthew 5:28 that lust is not just about physical attraction—it is an internal battle that can consume our thoughts, leading to deeper struggles with sexual sin. 

This battle begins in the mind and heart, where our thoughts take root and eventually shape our actions. What we dwell on in our hearts determines what we do (Proverbs 23:7). When we feed unchecked desires, they grow into strongholds that influence how we see ourselves, others, and God.

 “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 NIV

Imagine a city built to protect it’s people. Overtime cracks appear in the walls, and an enemy slips through unnoticed. Lust is that silent invader. It creeps into our thoughts, distorts our desires, and reshapes how we see others—not as individuals created in God’s image but as objects for pleasure. Lust is the culprit that connects the sin that exists inside of us to the sin outside of us, drawing us further from the truth. 

At its core, lust is selfish. It demands gratification without considering the consequences. It is deceptive because it thrives in secrecy—what is done in the dark feels like it has no impact. But every time we give in, we reinforce a habit that desensitizes us, making sin feel normal, even justified.

Masturbation: A Secret Sin That Destroys

Masturbation is often considered a “private issue” that doesn’t harm anyone, but sin doesn’t have to be public to be destructive. One of the most dangerous aspects of this struggle is its secrecy—it thrives in isolation. Because masturbation is done alone in isolation, it takes away your ability to remain accountable for your actions.

You become so numb to what once felt wrong that you no longer feel conviction. Over time, the desire only intensifies, leading to addiction. This can leave a person feeling empty, lonely, and trapped. Secrecy and isolation are what make this sin so minacious. Because no one sees you, there are no consequences, right? Wrong. Sin is never truly hidden.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5 NIV

Lust and masturbation can become a form of idolatry, a false substitute for genuine love and intimacy, replacing your pursuit of God. Those who struggle with lust know that it eventually leads to addiction, emptiness, low self-esteem, and vulnerability. 

Why Is This Such a Hard Struggle?

Sex and intimacy are God-given desires; because of this, lust and masturbation often feel natural. The problem isn’t the desire itself but how it’s directed. Yet, when these desires are misunderstood or mishandled, they can lead to confusion, shame, and isolation—especially when the church remains silent on the topic.

When churches avoid discussions about sexual sin, it creates shame instead of freedom, leaving people to battle alone. You were never meant to fight this alone. You were never meant to be trapped in a cycle of sin, guilt, and defeat.

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NIV

Lust weakens us spiritually, making us more susceptible to other temptations. It also convinces us that we are unworthy of God’s love. In addition, the stigma of shame when discussed in Christian circles keeps many trapped in bondage and too afraid to seek help. This sin is much too treacherous to deal with on your own. 

Your sexual desires are not inherently wrong, but they must be directed in a way that is holy and honorable. Lust goes against God’s design for intimacy and is destructive in nature. This is why self-control is a fruit of the spirit. God doesn’t want you trapped in shame.

Recognizing the Battle

God does not expose sin to condemn us but to set us free. Acknowledging that this is a struggle is the first step toward freedom. Sin that grows in darkness, if left unaddressed, will pull you away from God. But when sin is brought into the light, its power is broken, and healing can begin. Sexual sin doesn’t just affect your behavior—it affects your heart, your mind, and your spirit. This is why everything changes when it’s exposed to the light.

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” Ephesians 5:13-14 NIV

Lust is not your master. You were never meant to be held captive by its lies. It is not intimacy. It is not freedom. The moment you see it for what it truly is—a deceiver, a thief, a liar—you begin to break free.

In the next part of this series, we will explore how to break free from these strongholds through spiritual and practical strategies. You can overcome this. You can walk in freedom. But it begins with the choice to fight.