Lust, Lies & Wi-Fi: Fighting the Real Battle in a Swipe-Right Society

We live in a world where temptation is no longer lurking around the corner, it’s riding shotgun, asking if you want to “enable notifications.” Lust used to knock on the door. Now it just sends a DM, shows up in your ads, and has an algorithm that knows you a little too well. We’re not dealing with 1995 struggles anymore. This is high-speed spiritual warfare with fiber optics and filters. But here’s the good news...you’re not alone, and you’re not powerless.

The Struggle Is Real And So Is God.

Let’s be clear: lust isn't just about what you look at, it's about what you feed. You don’t “accidentally” fall into lust. You feed it. You flirt with it. You entertain it like an unwanted house guest, then wonder why it keeps showing up in your living room in sweatpants.

Jesus didn’t dance around the issue when He said, “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).

That verse doesn’t pull punches. Jesus wasn’t worried about hurting our feelings, He was worried about saving our souls.

It’s Not Just Porn, Bro.

Lust isn’t limited to explicit content. It’s a heart posture. You can be in a worship service, Bible in hand, and still be mentally undressing someone three rows ahead. (Let’s not pretend we don’t know what I’m talking about.)

Lust disguises itself as harmless curiosity:

• “I’m just looking.”

• “It’s not that bad.”

• “At least I’m not acting on it.”

Newsflash: your thought life is real life. Proverbs 23:7 says: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” You don’t need to act out to be in danger, you just need to start rehearsing it in your head.

So, How Do We Fight It?

Glad you asked, Spartan. Grab your Bible and your spiritual deodorant, because this battle gets sweaty.

1. Kill It, Don’t Cuddle It

Jesus said if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. That doesn’t mean go full pirate—it means take radical steps.

✅ Delete the apps.

✅ Block the websites.

✅ Get a filter.

✅ Put your phone in another room after 9PM.

✅ Stop going “just to check” her page.

You can’t cast out what you keep inviting in.

2. Get Real with God

Stop pretending with God. He already knows what you looked at, thought about, and bookmarked. Confession isn’t for Him, it’s for you. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9 (ESV). God doesn’t shame you. He FREES you.

3. Don’t Fight Alone

You weren’t meant to battle lust in isolation. That’s like showing up to a gunfight with a pool noodle. Get a brother in Christ who will pray with you, call you out, and ask the awkward questions. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”—Proverbs 27:17. Let someone sharpen you before your dull blade wrecks your marriage, your witness, and your peace.

4. Refocus the Hunger

Lust grows in emptiness. You need to feed your soul on something greater. Worship. Scripture. Service. You’re not just saying “no” to lust, you’re saying “yes” to something better. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”—Matthew 5:6 (ESV). It’s not about avoiding bad things—it’s about pursuing God with everything you’ve got.

This Isn’t About Guilt, It’s About Freedom.

God’s not waiting to zap you. He’s waiting to heal you. And He’s not surprised by your struggle. He just wants you to finally surrender it. And fellas, if we’re being honest, half of us are walking around like spiritual zombies, too ashamed to fight, too tired to hope. But Jesus didn’t rise from the dead so you could stay stuck in the dirt.

Here’s Your Challenge:

This week, take one real step:

• Confess the struggle.

• Set up a filter.

• Call a brother.

• Get honest in prayer.

• Fast from Instagram for 7 days (yeah, I said it).

Then… replace the lie with the Word. Memorize one scripture that reminds you of who you are, not what you’re tempted by. Because you’re not just a man struggling with lust, you’re a son of the Most High King called to purity, power, and purpose.

Let’s not be boys who hide. Let’s be warriors who fight. Want to get connected with other men fighting the same fight? Join our Digital Discipleship groups and grow in brotherhood, accountability, and freedom.

Live Faith Fueled & Battle Ready!