Living Lust Free: Fighting Lust In The Moment

Here is the devotional:

The battle of lust is in the moment. The minute you choose to objectify a daughter of God, you may become tempted to use reflexive reactions of minimization or denial in order to protect lustful behaviors.

It is critical to create a new reflex for the times you find yourself “in the moment.” I advocate a technique in the book, The Final Freedom aptly called, “the rubber band.” Simply put a rubber band around your wrist and when you start to lust, snap it hard.

Currently, you are giving your brain positive reinforcement when you lust. You escape reality, you feel desired, you fantasize, and sometimes even receive a chemical reaction in your brain from the risk and excitement you feel. When you positively reinforce your brain, it will heighten your desire to repeat that behavior.

The rubber band technique creates a negative reinforcement for lust and sends your brain the message: I don’t want to do this anymore. Many men have reported back to me on the effectiveness of this technique. Those struggling say they notice about an 80 percent decrease in lust and objectifying. When you choose to give your brain the negative signal that lust hurts, you start sending lust the message that it is unwelcome in your life.



Walk to Freedom

1. When you lusted in the past, what have been some of the rationalizations or denials you have used to allow yourself to lust?

2. What is the truth for each rationalization?

3. What do you think of the rubber band technique or other negative reinforcement strategies?

4. In the next thirty days, what type of negative reinforcement will you use to battle lust in the moment?

Here are the scriptures referenced:

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 10:2‭-‬6 KJV

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I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 KJV

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Here are Stu’s thoughts:

I’ve heard of the rubber band technique before. I didn’t agree with it then and I do not agree with it now.

Hurting yourself for a natural feeling upon seeing a handsome man or beautiful female is stupid in my personal opinion.

I never used any type of negative reinforcement when I was learning to view people in a different light other than a sexual thing.

I used prayer, scripture and accountability. Plus it didn’t hurt that I was in love with the most beautiful woman in the world either. Angie has been there through it all y’all!

I didn’t want anyone else. Period! I made a promise to never cheat physically or mentally against her. I have kept that promise. Heck she was one of my accountability partners before we grew to love each other.

She had no problem listening and she shared her own experiences with men in her life that cheating and looked at porn . It gave me a glimpse of the opposite side of things.

That helped me a lot as well.

I don’t recommend the rubber band technique or hitting yourself in the head or anything like that.

Just start your day in earnest prayer asking the Lord to go before you and remove any impure thoughts from your mind.