What is lust and why is it wrong?
"But here is what I tell you. Do not even look at a woman in the wrong way. Anyone who does has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).
"Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things" (Philippians 4:8).
Lust is a strong sexual craving for someone else. The Bible says lust is sin. We were created by God to begin feeling sexual attraction toward other people when we hit puberty. These feelings can be confusing, but they are not wrong. Lust happens when we think about those people in ways that dishonor God.
Even kids can lust after others. For example, if we see someone and begin thinking about what they would look like without clothes on, that is an example of lust. When we focus on those thoughts and not try to stop, that is sin.
If you struggle with lust, talk to God about it. When you are tempted to lust after someone, take a moment to pray and breathe. Ask God for His help and peace. It is also wise to talk to a trusted adult who loves Jesus. It may be your parents or a teacher at your church. They can walk with you and support you as you grow.
