Welcome to episode #162! This week, Matt and Braden talk about why we need to to have a better strategy than just "bouncing our eyes" when it comes to battling lust.

Bouncing your eyes is only a temporary strategy
When we are building new and good habits and breaking the bad patterns with addiction, bouncing our eyes away from images or people we are struggling with lustful thoughts about, can be a temporary way to deal with our triggers. However it cant be a long term-strategy as it is only a surface level behaviour. We need to do the work of going deeper and allow God to heal our hearts. The goal is to see people the way Jesus does and to show love to others. We need to see people the way Jesus does and when we do, we aren't enslaved to lust, but captivated in God's love for others.

We cant blame lust on others
Lust is when we devour another persons beauty or when we are fixated on people being objects to be used for selfish purposes. It is okay to find people attractive, as God has wired us to recognize beauty. But it becomes a problem when we make the choice to fantasize about people, or to see people as a piece of meat and nothing more. One of the things we need to learn to do, is to not blame others for our "lust problem", as we have a choice in every circumstance. Otherwise we are enslaved to others and whether they are dressed inappropriately or not. That isn't to say we aren't careful and cautious about being in situations we know we can be compromised in, but that we cant bank on every circumstance going our way. We will encounter people that are attractive, people that dress inappropriately, and images that are tempting. But we have a choice in those moments, and as God works in our hearts, we can be content in His love for us and not longing for the sin that we once knew. 

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Podcast Hosts
BRADEN HAFNER
Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He has been married for 14 years to his wife Kristen, and they live in Edmonton, Alberta. He is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

MATT CLINE
Matt and his wife Louise raise their little guys, David and Oliver, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is honoured to do what he can to tackle the epidemic of pornography and sexual perversion in every way possible. Seeing lives and marriages get free and experience the love of God in profound ways is what drives him every day. He leads Restored Ministries, is a certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team, and formerly played hockey in the WHL and for Hockey Canada. You can visit www.restoredministries.ca.