First, what are the lies that are being sold? Well, the short answer is that people are trying to redefine what lust means so that they can excuse and continue certain behaviors, like masturbation. If you want to read some great examples of these lies you can read this blog post by Rachel Held Evans. These perspectives fail to address the scriptures and attempt to apply human reasoning to a spiritual problem. Tell me this, what good does it do anyone to say, “Well, Jesus didn’t mean this or didn’t mean that when he was talking about lust?” Why would you choose a lesser definition? Do you not know about how God feels about cleanliness and holiness?
I would suggest that we read that Old Testament laws once again to be reminded of the standard of holiness God set for his people. Read Numbers 5:1-3 again, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who has a defiling skin disease or a discharge of any kind, or who is ceremonially unclean because of a dead body. Send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.” And Isaiah 1:16 that says, “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.” Oh, my friend, there are many verses that make it clear God expects cleanliness. The standard is high; the standard is why Jesus came. Though Jesus has come he still calls us to lead lives that are pure and blameless before the Lord (Phil 2:15).
Listen to what God says in Hosea 7:2, “but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me.” This may seem a bit harsh, but I want you to understand just how holy our Lord God is and that he expects the same from us. I Peter 1:16 says, "Be holy, because I am holy." You might be able to fool others, even yourself, but you cannot fool God. He knows if you have committed a sin against Him in your heart. This is not a matter to be taken lightly. Just because someone, who claims to be a Christian, says it is ok to act in this way or that does not mean that you should. Do you not know that when you do not act out of faith you sin? Romans 14:23 says, “and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” If you have any doubts, then you are sinning if you act.
Fall on your knees before God and consider for yourself whether it is indeed ok for you. (And by it I mean thinking that one thought, or watching this movie, or pleasuring yourself.) After much seeking if you have determined it is not a sin for you, ask the next question, “Is it the best thing for me?” Oswald Chambers says, “The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best.” Above all remember Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." Run! Run as far as you can from anything that might cause you to sin.
Oh, my friend let us not be fooled. Let us not live the life of how much we can get away with and still be saved. I want you to understand that what these people offer you is not freedom, but bondage. Not peace but distress. Not joy but despair. They have taken the focus and power from Christ and put it on our own strength. Masturbation is not a way to fight lust; faith in Christ Jesus is the way to fight lust. Remember, won’t you? Remember, that, “everything is possible for one who believes." (Mark 9:23) Remember that Christ died to set us free so that sin shall have no dominion over us (Rom 6:14). He can and will set you free and he has already forgiven you. So, rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Rom 5:2) and sing unto him a new song (Psalm 144:9). He loves us so, my friend, oh how He does love us! Will you love Him, will you cherish Him?