How can I keep my thoughts from becoming lustful?

2 Timothy 2:22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

We can keep our desires from becoming lustful by avoiding places and situations where we know we will be tempted.

Job 31:1“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.”

Matthew 5:28“Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

We can prevent lust from taking root in our thoughts by avoiding that second look.

Philippians 4:8Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

When we fill our hearts and minds with what is pure and good, it leaves no room for lust.

Proverbs 5:18-20Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?

When we focus our sexual desires toward our spouse within the marriage relationship, lust for others has less room to grow. We should make sure, however, that those desires and expectations are pure and healthy.