A question I hear often from Christian men is: “Is lust really wrong? After all, I’m not hurting anyone.” Let me address the first part of this question. Think back to the scene in the Garden of Eden. The serpent asked Eve, “What did God say?” He questioned God’s word and has used that tactic successfully since the first sin.

Let’s set the record straight before we go any further. The Tenth Commandment is really clear: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17, The Message). Proverbs also has something to say about lust: “Don’t lustfully fantasize on her beauty, nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes” (Proverbs 6:25, The Message). God did say not to lust. He didn’t break it down for you to give you permission to lust after certain things. He was clear. You and I are not to lust—period.

I want to address those of you reading this book who take a literal approach to the scriptures above. You may believe God means you aren’t to lust after your neighbors in your block. I want to remind you that Jesus cleared up who our neighbor is in the story of the Good Samaritan. Every woman is or will be your neighbor’s wife. From a biblical perspective, you have absolutely no room to lust. Any permission to lust is self-granted, self-destructive, and self-defeating. Living in God’s truth will keep you on the path of a lust-free life.