“…even your sanctification” (overcoming lust.)

1 Thessalonians 4:2-5 KJV.

It's time to address the spirit in the room: LUST.

Every deed or action is rooted from a thought, which is generated in the mind/heart. If we want to overcome something, we must start at the root of it, and the root of your lusting problem is in your heart: your thoughts. This video plans to tackle the thinking pattern and mindset of a Believer, so they can reevaluate their steps to overcoming lust.

Seeds turn into Oak trees.

Embers turn into wildfires.

What does this mean?

The small things you nudge off as "not that big of a deal" are the MAIN components to your submission to lust. Don't undermine tiny things. They're tiny; yet, very powerful AND successful. Let's humble ourselves and receive Holy Spirit wisdom from The Most High's Word, shall we?

(Originally a YouTube video, attached below.)

July 17th, 2025

Notes from Teaching Video:

1 Thessalonians 4:2-5 KJV, “For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (4) That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; (5) Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 AMP, “that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane], (5) not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will;”

Temptation

Hebrews 4:15 KJV, “ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 4:15 AMP, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.

Hebrews 4:15 EXB, “ ·For our high priest is able [L For we do not have a high priest who is unable] to ·understand [sympathize with] our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin.

“I thought temptation was a sin…”

What I want to do is shake the foundations of your mind. We are either going to believe The Word or our prenotions. Personally, I believed (for awhile) when thoughts came to me that I’ve sinned, but NO! The sin comes, when I come into agreement with the thoughts (become intimate and meditate on them) is where sin is conceived.

James 1:14-15 KJV, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

James 1:14-15 AMP, “But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). (15) Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.”

Imagery

Envision riding down a highway. You’re looking ahead to your destination. This represents you going down the narrow path to God’s eternal rest and glory. Now, there are distractions along the way. Suggestive signs, such as billboards, traffic signs, and traveling signs in the real world. Say there is a person on the side of the road holding up a sign written with your lustful desires. You turn your head and see it. If you practice 2 Corinthians 10:5, you’ll see the person with the sign; HOWEVER, you TURN your head back to the main road. You acknowledge the person is distracting you from the main road, but you cast it aside.

Let’s say you don’t yield to 2 Corinthians 10:5, and you focus on the person with the sign. They’re drawing you away from focusing on the narrow path in front of you. Your attention is all on them. It’s caught your attention. It’s enticed and baited you. You slow down the vehicle and talk to them through your window. Intimacy, also known as conception, has occurred. After conversing, you then “veer off” from the road onto the sides; get out; and interact with the person–sin.

Driving down a road without being tempted with suggestive signs is inevitable. In essence, living in this world without temptations and distractions is inevitable; however, you have the CHOICE to not dwell on them.

Therefore, I want this to permeate your brain:

Being tempted isn’t sin;

However, becoming intimate with the temptation (by coming into agreement with it) is the sin.

May this Truth permeate your mind and give you peace and HOPE that overcoming lust is not impossible, but possible through Christ Jesus.

Embers to Wildfires

What is an ember? It is a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire. Embers can cause wildfires. They travel long distances and ignite new fires.

Embers and wildfires represent how small things can grow into big things. How seeds turn into oak trees. The smallest things we may nudge off are actually the things we need to target. For example, silly sexual conversations; feint thoughts; graphic material passing by in the media etc–Embers turn into wildfires.

Embers equate to what is perceived as “small” sexual temptations.

Wildfire equates to being aflamed or burned with sexual desire.

Embers turn into wildfires.

1 Corinthians 7:9 KJV, “But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”

1 Corinthians 7:9 AMPC, “But if they have not self-control (restraint of their passions), they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame [with passion and tortured continually with ungratified desire].

1 Corinthians 7:9 AMP, “But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”

In The Word of God, sexual desire is equated to a burning or a fire. Therefore, embers (perceived to be “small” sexual temptations” turn into wildfires (sexual immorality–the sin).

Ember Attack Video

Please watch this brief clip, “Ember Attack” from the County Fire Authority (CFA).

Transcript (key parts):

• “Ember attacks are the most common way that houses catch fire.” Meaning, you’d least expect such small debris to cause such a catastrophe.

• “The hot embers can easily land and get into your clothes and burn your skin, eyes, and airways. Small fires will start all around you, and quickly become uncontrollable. The resulting chaos creates confusion, as the fire seems to come from many directions, meaning it will be difficult to make good decisions about your safety.” “Small” temptations, which are still temptations, can easily become something big in moments. Since the individual does not immediately cast them aside or act quickly to remove the sources of temptation, the seed remains planted in the garden. More seeds start to be allocated, as time goes on around the sources of temptation. They’re being watered. They’re being nurtured. So, when there’s a harvest of lust, one with much briars, the individual, then, finds it hard to find the root and how to get rid of such a plentiful harvest. It quickly becomes uncontrollable. It becomes chaotic to the point where you’re confused on when and where to act. It seems lust is coming from all directions and sides. Since you’re confused, it’s unlikely for you to make a good decision to flee sexual immorality because it has you ever-so stuck in the briars (you allowed to grow) inside the garden of your heart. 

  
  

You’re trapped in the briars of your sin.

• “The experience will be physically exhausting, and emotionally traumatic.” After committing sexual immorality, if it be self-pleasure or with another person, your body becomes drained. Like energy has left you. Like holes and voids were just placed inside of you. Though you “fulfilled” yourself, you’re still lacking. You’re exhausted by the burden of your sin. It is emotionally traumatic to know you gave into your flesh, instead of submitting yourselves therefore to God (James 4:7).

• “...That’s why leaving early, before a fire starts, is always your safest option.” This is exactly why it is best to nip lust in the bud in the beginning stages–not when the briars have already formed and matured–you will only get tangled up within. Cast down the imaginations and thoughts immediately. 2 Corinthians 10:5 is your safest option.

Closing Remarks

• Being tempted is NOT the sin.

• Coming into agreement by being intimate with the temptation IS sin.

• Embers to Wildfires.

• 2 Corinthians 10:5 is your SAFEST option.