A. Not just about relationships
All of those above are youthful lusts. We don’t all feel like committing each type of sin. There are people who have never stolen, other people have never picked fights, and so on. But, only Jesus Christ never sinned. All of us have committed sins. And, we commit those sins because of our nature.
The first thing that may come to your mind is David and Bathsheba. That is one example, but it is nowhere near the whole story. And yet, is contains an important lesson in how to flee youthful lusts of every type.
David could have looked away and gotten his mind on something else. He didn’t have all the technology we do, but there were certainly things he could do. When you read the Psalms, while some were tied to certain situations, others are just filled with his thoughts about God’s wonderful creation, majesty, protection, and so on.
B. Think about other things
David’s first error was to keep thinking about Bathsheba. That is where we mess up, when we see something and keep thinking about it. A toddler may grab someone else’s toy and say “mine” right away. However, even at that age, there is a little spark that says, “I want that.” They can be easily distracted, or turned away. But, as a person grows, they are more and more likely to keep thinking about that thing that they want. And, they must learn that, first, it’s wrong to take other peoples’ stuff, and second, that the way to avoid that temptation is to focus on something else.
This is why the Tenth Commandment is an all-inclusive “thou shalt not covet.” Coveting requires thought, Just as when David saw Bathsheba. He wouldn’t have had to see her the way he did to covet. In the same way, you don’t even have to see something to want it. If your mind went back to Hebrews 13:5, you’re doing well. Because, when we’re content with what we have, it should cause us to realize what we do have. If you have trusted in Christ’s death burial, and resurrection as punishment for your sins, you have all you could ever need. You have the Creator of the Universe as your friend, guide, confidant, protector, and defender, an ever present help in time of need. He will cherish and keep you till the day of redemption, when you will go to be with Him forever in His perfect Heaven, where He has prepared a fabulous place for you! You can say what Paul did, that whatever your situation, you can be content. (Phil. 4:11)
C. Bring thoughts into subjection
There are other things you can think about, too, of course. This just brings us back to Philippians 4:8. If you are thinking of things that are pure, lovely, of good report, and so on, you’re not letting your thoughts wander onto sin. Sure, they will, because you’re human. But, you’re not dwelling on that desire.
Covetousness covers attention, too. Sometimes, the wrong type of friends will lead us astray, because they just want someone to do bad things with. They say misery loves company, and even if sin is fun for a while, in the end it will make a person very miserable; if not here, in eternity.
That why the right kinds of friends are important. They bring accountability to us, and they can help us keep our minds off of the bad stuff. And, they allow us people to hang out with who support us, as we discussed earlier. That means they will have our interests in mind, just as we have their interests. The wrong kind only pretend to care, while having only their interests in mind. They only befriend you to get what they want.
