Combating the Battle of LustSample

#2 Make a Call

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

Proverbs 27:17

For over three decades of daily counseling with men trying to conquer lust, I have used this tip because it gives men the highest likelihood of becoming lust-free: Make a phone call. Not only is this a therapeutic way to get support, but it is also biblical. It is no secret how Jesus emphasized and lived out the importance of community in His day-to-day life when he walked among us on earth.

This principle of making calls has two applications.

The first application is to call another guy every day, regardless of how you are doing with lust. This call becomes a time to check in on both your victories and failures. This phone call tells lust that you are legitimately serious about getting rid of its presence in your life – and building this community around you also makes you stronger and more capable of completing the second application.

The second application is to call a man when you are tempted to lust. James 5:16 states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

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 protect yourself and those you care about most.

What I have seen in my practice is 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 when you are combating lust. Checking with others for accountability reasons is not just a good principle, but it is biblical as well.

I have heard many stories of men receiving significant help by just 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.

Application Tip for Believers Fighting Against Lust:
Make a list of five Christian guys who you would like to be accountable with and hold accountable. Reach out to them this week and share James 5:16 and ask if they’d consider being a part of your accountability team. If you don’t have five Christian men to be accountable to, ask your pastor if he could assist in this regard.