Overcoming Lust FAST

Here are the long-awaited notes on the first message. I'll post just the four keys here. If you are struggling with an addiction or know someone who is, these keys are your path to freedom after repentance.

F - Fasting - Fasting is the practice of abstaining, usually food, for a specified period of time. Start off small and work your way up to longer fasts. Fasting weakens your flesh so that your spirit is in control, thus helping you overcome addictions.

A - Accountability - Accountability is a tactic that is used in secular and spiritual rehab programs. Accountability means that you meet regularly with a partner or group (same gender as you) that will ask you tough questions about your struggles. Sometimes churches have accountability groups, or you could find a brother or sister who is strong in the Lord to be a partner or mentor.

S - Scripture - Read Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus used Scripture to resist the devil's temptations. Find Scripture that pertains to your struggle. A person with masturbation problem would quote, "Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body." (I Corinthians 6:13).

T - Triggers - Recognize and eliminate things that are associated with lusts that you are struggling with. If you have a problem with gluttony, stop watching the Food Network. If you have a problem with masturbation, stop staring at lewd magazine covers in the checkout lines. If you have an alcohol or tobacco addiction, stop hanging around with people who do.