Lust is the driving force behind my addiction, and if I allow myself to lust, then I will act out, sooner or later. When I consciously harbor lust, even in small amounts, it’s the same as an alcoholic taking a drink.

To stay sober, I must constantly be on the lookout for any occurrences of lust within myself. There are ways to deal with situations when lust, or the temptation to lust, arises. The most effective one I’ve found is to pray for the object of my lust. Lust is about taking. Prayer is a form of giving, thus reversing the spiritual flow. It doesn’t have to be a long or complex prayer—my version is, “God, give that woman peace, prosperity, happiness, and health.”