Living Lust Free: Accountability

Here is the devotional:

From the beginning of my more than thirty years in counseling men who are trying to overcome lust, I have used this tip because it gives men the highest likelihood of becoming lust-free: Make a phone call. This principle has two applications. The first application is to call another man every day, regardless of how you are doing with lust. This is a time to check in on both your victories and failures. This phone call tells lust that you are viciously serious about getting rid of it in your life.

The second application is to call a guy when you are being tempted to lust. You make this call when the situation is occurring, or if you have found yourself lusting after another person or image. As soon as you make the call, it will immediately bring you back to reality—to protecting yourself and those you care the most about.

This form of accountability is a powerful tool. The men who choose not to make daily calls also tend not to make calls when they are in trouble. This principle is successful if you use both parts: call daily to check in, and call when you are battling lust.

Accountability is a biblical concept. In James 5:16, we are called to confess our sins to each other to be healed. I have heard many stories of men helped by making a phone call. Because of this, I am confident that if you follow this principle daily, and when necessary, freedom from lust is within your grasp.

Walk to Freedom

1. What was your first gut reaction to the idea above about calling another man about lust?

2. Why do you think calling daily would be helpful to you?

3. Who are the three men you could call?

4. When will you start making daily calls?

Here are the scriptures referenced:

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16 KJV

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 KJV

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5‭-‬6 KJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 12:1‭-‬13 KJV

Here are Stu’s thoughts:

Most men don’t want to be accountable. It’s not that they don’t believe it will work…it’s the telling the truth about the problem.

There is a lot that can go into that truth.

There could have been molestation at a young age.

There could have been forced sexual favors.

It could have been just being caught up in peer pressure when all the other guys are looking at this one girl saying dang(not the word they would use) what I would give to have sex with her. Then you look and start wondering yourself…RUN…

Then there is the truth of how often you look at porn, which genre you prefer and how often do you masturbate to it.

What are you feeling while watching? What are your feelings afterwords?

Being accountable means being honest. And well that’s hard sometimes!

BUT, the truth is being accountable works! It have been proven over and over and over again.

Heck I’m back to being accountable to someone because of my slip.

Men, make the call. Reach out to someone, a close trusted friend, a church member or a family member. Trust you would be surprised that there will be no shaming but understanding.

For that understanding I do not want to say that ALL men lust but…yeah…we all have at point in our lives.

Email me if you want. I have been down that dark road. There is light down that road you just need guidance to get to it. Be accountable!