At What Point is Lust a Sin?

Here's the deal about addictions: you want to defeat them instead of making concessions.
It's possible. Alcoholics don't need to stay away from the physical presence of liquor or parties. Gamblers can play cards for fun. You don't have to be condemned to averting your eyes on beaches.

Yes, the key components are prayer, meditation, confession, and accountability.
You said you know the scriptural references; I believe you.
However, I read your previous thread about your experience with the church. It would be hard to trust after such an ordeal. Which leads me to what I've learned:

1) You will have to address elements in your life that haven't occurred to you yet. It all relates.
2) While everything is spiritual, it is also physical. Addictions are largely controlled by brain chemistry. DO NOT underestimate dopamine! Its effects are more powerful than cocaine.
3) Dopamine is the counter your brain uses to overcome anger, hurt, betrayal, and any number of relationship traumas in your life. These issues must be dealt with.
4) One thing stated was almost helpful. You should care what women think of you and what you force them to experience. It is far more diabolical than that. Viewing porn is adultery and actually financially participating in the actions taking place on the screen. Once you internalize that, it should make it a struggle, if not impossible to watch.
5) I assume you're married, but I don't know how old you are or if your wife knows of your struggle. While marriage isn't a solution, healthy communication and affection are a huge plus. You can experience the true goal of intimacy, but it has to be without guilt. If you conquer it, she shouldn't have to be burdened by it. This should be an incredible incentive. You want her to admire you. It's hardwired into a man's DNA.
6) Relationships in your life are key. Have you recognized any anger toward whoever sexualized your life? Can you forgive them?
7) It's not as simple as form over substance. Pray, yes. Praying while understanding what's happening is better.
8) I look forward to this not being a drain on your life or your marriage.

Any more observations I might give would require that we know each other better.
I've been through what you've been through, breaking this addiction. I succeeded.

I've been through what you've been through with the church.
Your peace in this area is important and even necessary. It will need to be resolved in your mind.
I broke my addiction without the church, so that is possible. Don't let that stop you from beating this!

DennisA said:

As a male Christian I’ve struggled with lust. I know the scripture mentions if you look at a woman. It’s often difficult to keep my mind from straying down the wrong path. I once had a pastor tell me that you are treading on dangerous ground if you look at a woman and can say, “I would if I could.”I don’t want to sin but I can’t just turn off my brain.
Does anyone have some insight for me?

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The male/female desire to want to have sex is prominent in everyone, once puberty hits anyone.
The desire to have sex, is not a problem. It is natural to want that to have children.

How to put it all in God's perspective in trust to God and Son as Won for you to choose not to get caught up in lust. Even any lust of this world we are in! Not just sex!

The problem comes from being put under Law to not do it, unless are married.
Even though thought(s) still invade anyone and everyone, whether another is married as doing it right or not, What??????????????????????????????????, But I got to do it right or else Attitudes of the first born flesh nature, dead to God's love and mercy of Son for them, has mainly gotten to be a big thing in religions here on earth.

there is a lot to discern, so I trust you will trust God to teach you and you will earn deeply

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lustof the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Matthew 5:28
but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mark 4:19
and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Romans 1:24
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves
Romans 1:27
and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

How????????????????????????? Lord. I have been trying and I see I am not able to

Romans 7, I want and seems to me as I have not stopped, and it even seems to be getting worse. What do I do lord, I believe you, I trust you, yet as said in Romas 7 from Paul I see "I" can't

I even got married to not continue in that, those thoughts that, somehow enter in. men again and again
Yet they continue, Lord help me I want to do what is right by you

So Lord How? seeing I can't and others also, even though they seem as they got it, I have seen they do not either. Only you got it

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:


Time to settle this in me, You did it, You got it, "I" do not, as I learn to stand in trust to you

Colossians 1:21
And you, that were sometimealienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Cor 5:17-20

By God Father though Son's done work on that cross all got forgiven, reconciled by God Father through Son as if no one has ever sinned
What???????????????????????????????????? But I got to not Lust. therefore one, anyone that seeks to do Law and not sin, sins all the more than did naturally not being under Law, yet to do it.

Romans 5:20-21
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore noi w stadn in this grace given you, god did it for you to stop sin by his grace gvien you. That does not mean one will stop immediately.
It can take time to come to see and be in it. seeing g it not of self can do anything but trust father in risen Son Jesus for them to stop. and it never be of self doing it. God did it

applying Phil 1:6
And reading Galatians over and over and over agasinba and again, the entire Epistle
do the same with all the other epistles

Col 1:21-23 was done for you and all others as well to begin anew life in trust to God to learn new from God's leading through you as Son did first in his earth walk first

DennisA said:

As a male Christian I’ve struggled with lust. I know the scripture mentions if you look at a woman. It’s often difficult to keep my mind from straying down the wrong path. I once had a pastor tell me that you are treading on dangerous ground if you look at a woman and can say, “I would if I could.”I don’t want to sin but I can’t just turn off my brain.
Does anyone have some insight for me?

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Temptation versus sin
From these texts, you can trace a line:
• An unchosen thought, image, or impulse can appear and “entice” you. That is temptation, not yet sin, as long as you resist and turn from it.[gotquestions]
• When the will embraces that desire—lingers on it, nurtures it, or wishes it could be fulfilled—that “desire has conceived” and “gives birth to sin.”[gotquestions]
• In sexual terms, this is the intentional, willful looking “in order to lust,” not the mere noticing of beauty. Matthew’s wording points to a deliberate, ongoing gaze with a covetous purpose.[bereanpatriot +1]
Putting it together
So biblically:
• The intersection point is not the mere presence of temptation, but the heart’s agreement with it.
• Lust as Scripture condemns it is desire that moves from being an unwanted intrusion to a welcomed guest—where the mind returns to it, enjoys it, and, in principle, would act on it if circumstances allowed.[dennyburk +2]
An example: if an image flashes before you and you immediately turn your eyes and heart to God, that is temptation resisted. If instead you choose to dwell on it, replay it, and savor it, that is where lust and sin have already met, even if nothing outward happens.

DennisA said:

As a male Christian I’ve struggled with lust. I know the scripture mentions if you look at a woman. It’s often difficult to keep my mind from straying down the wrong path. I once had a pastor tell me that you are treading on dangerous ground if you look at a woman and can say, “I would if I could.”I don’t want to sin but I can’t just turn off my brain.
Does anyone have some insight for me?

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The Bible ties overcoming lust to a changed heart, disciplined eyes, and walking in the Spirit, not just white‑knuckled willpower.

1. Walk by the Spirit
Paul’s core command is, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5 then contrasts “works of the flesh” (including sexual sin) with the “fruit of the Spirit,” ending with, “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” So the main biblical strategy is living under the **Spirit’s** daily influence—cultivating love, joy, peace, self‑control—rather than trying to fight lust in your own strength.



2. Deal with lust at the heart level
Jesus locates lust in the heart: “Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The passage continues with radical language about removing what causes you to stumble, emphasizing that inward desires must be taken as seriously as outward acts.



3. Make a “covenant with your eyes”
Job says, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” Commentators explain that this is a conscious resolution to control what he allows his eyes to rest on, treating his eyes as servants of a higher, God‑honoring will.

In practice this means setting clear boundaries: turning your gaze away, avoiding known triggers, and, in modern terms, using filters or accountability software where needed.



4. Fill your mind with better things
Scripture links purity with what you plant in your heart: spending time reading and memorizing God’s Word, praying for forgiveness and strength, and deepening love for God. Teachers emphasize not only resisting lustful thoughts but actively replacing them with “superior promises” and the beauty of Christ so your desires are retrained.



5. Use community, confession, and ongoing repentance
Biblical counseling resources stress bringing the struggle into the light—confessing sin to God and to trusted believers, seeking counsel, and inviting accountability. Lust is portrayed as a battle that is often ongoing, where repeated repentance and persistent resistance produce “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” over time.

DennisA said:

I actually have a Bible and can read all the scripture on this subject. What I’d like to hear is your own personal experience. How do you handle lust?
Temptation is not a sin. What I try to avoid is opportunities. What do you do when opportunity rears its ugly head?

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#1: You know your weakness, so avoidance is helpful

#2: if struggling: NKJ Heb4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 6 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Your time of need in which to approach Him is when struggling at the thought level. Ask for help overcoming the thoughts.

Couple it with 1John1:9 and acknowledge the sin and receive His forgiveness and cleansing.

#3 Continue the walk - it's a process - and grow old - [spiritual and temporal] age takes care of some to much of it and #2 continues to work when the mentality may stray a bit. Consider the story of the young man and the old pastor standing there as a beautiful lady walked by and the pastor knowing the younger man's likely struggle commented on the beauty of the temple of the Holy Spirit that had just passed by.

DennisA said:

As a male Christian I’ve struggled with lust.

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NO WAY!!!

DennisA said:

I can’t just turn off my brain.

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A devil once told me I could; advising me to "drink peroxide". They know I'm not stupid; but they sure like to mess with me a lot.

DennisA said:

Does anyone have some insight for me?

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Yeah, I do. It's pretty simple in theory; but it's harder in practice, because the flesh is retarded.

You know the whole "lead me not into temptation; but deliver me from evil" part of the "our father in heaven" prayer pattern? That is how you "flee from sexual immorality". As men, we generally don't like to hear about "fleeing" because to us that implies cowardice; but, that's not the case here- you are simply a weapon that is not designed for this kind of warfare; so this is not a fault of yours- you are supposed to ask for help. It's fine.

DennisA said:

As a male Christian I’ve struggled with lust. I know the scripture mentions if you look at a woman. It’s often difficult to keep my mind from straying down the wrong path. I once had a pastor tell me that you are treading on dangerous ground if you look at a woman and can say, “I would if I could.”I don’t want to sin but I can’t just turn off my brain.
Does anyone have some insight for me?

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We all get tempted.. its that.. $100 just lying there in the store.. you get that thought.. hmm I could just pocket that and keep it.. then.. no.. pick it up turn it in.

Lol.. lord knows this nature in all of us.. nothing wrong with that. A man (preacher) standing in the store and saw this MAG and this woman hardly dressed.. turns around not to look at it. Not exactly this but this Church one night had all the young people give up what they put before the lord. This young man had a beautiful expensive bike that he never once let it get wet. He jumps up so fast runs back home to get that bike. He rushed so fast he didn't want doubt to catch up. So he gets the bike the moment he comes out side...yeah raining. Everyone could come back and get what ever the put up there.. as long as they didn't put "it" before the lord.

So you get that thought.. its when we play with that thought it then becomes ours aka sin. We do we can get stuck in sin but what I learned 50+years ago is no one but no one controls you unless you allow it. You have been given all power all authority over the enemy. This is like you get of the path.. Father put me back on the right path. Thats it.. done. This here.. OT anyone that calls on the name of the lord shall be delivered.

Know this also... He has every time made a way out but do we take it? What makes you not like the world is "I don't want to sin" praise GOD glory to JESUS.. we that love Him.. say pray the same thing but you have been given all power over the enemy. It starts.. run.. go the other way.. turn it off. All this does is give the enemy the right to move into our lifes.. it puts something between us and GOD. His love His mercy His grace His forgiveness .. is always there.. He has never nor ever will leave you.

Preacher on the Radio.. 1980 says "I don't anyone has fallen as much as me. Just get up dust off keep going" Repent keep going. Do NOT focus on sin. Focus on what HE did already for you. You are free from sin.. may not feel like it see it but walk by FAITH. Trust Him.. He see you through. Ask Him.. then thank Him for hearing you thank Him for answering you! YES AMEN! Not what I say or anyone else.. what does His word say? JESUS

The scripture says "lust after", so, that infers when you pursue, when you act upon.

DennisA said:

As a male Christian I’ve struggled with lust. I know the scripture mentions if you look at a woman. It’s often difficult to keep my mind from straying down the wrong path. I once had a pastor tell me that you are treading on dangerous ground if you look at a woman and can say, “I would if I could.”I don’t want to sin but I can’t just turn off my brain.
Does anyone have some insight for me?

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If you're just attracted to her or admiring her charm from a distance, that's natural; once when you begin to picture yourself fornicating with her, to satisfy your own carnal desire, that's sinful.

DennisA said:

And you think marriage is the cure?

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Well if a person is married and still has that problem then that part of them has to die.

DennisA said:

As a male Christian I’ve struggled with lust. I know the scripture mentions if you look at a woman. It’s often difficult to keep my mind from straying down the wrong path. I once had a pastor tell me that you are treading on dangerous ground if you look at a woman and can say, “I would if I could.”I don’t want to sin but I can’t just turn off my brain.
Does anyone have some insight for me?

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1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Do not confuse temptation with the sin of lust.

Jesus was tempted yet without sin.

We will be tempted because we are in the flesh that will want its way.

But if we do not play on it then it is not sin.

Do not confuse thinking with lust.

If we see a nice looking car we think that is a nice looking car.

If we see the sky is blue we will think the sky is blue.

What else are we going to think if it is the way it is.

If we see a nice looking woman our mind will think that is a nice looking woman.

It does not mean it is lust.

As long as we do not play on that thinking it is not the sin of lust.

We know if we lust or not.

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

We know we will be tempted and temptation is not a sin so we should not worry about it and think good thoughts.