Is it a sin to have lustful thoughts?

Question:

I’m currently single and have surrendered my dating life to God, having faith that he will send me a husband when it’s time. But I’m 17 and sometimes have lustful thoughts, is this a sin seeing I’m single and not acting on it. If it is a sin how can I stop myself from having these thoughts?

Answer:

I believe you are using the word “lust” too broadly. You have strong desires for sex because you are young that those desires lead you to be tempted. However, since you are refusing to give in to the temptation, you are not being lustful. See My desire for sex is very strong. I’m afraid I’ll give into it sometime.

Generally, when we ask God for something, we show are desire by doing what we can to achieve it though we know our efforts will be inadequate. We then rely on God to do what we cannot do ourselves. If you wish to marry, then you look for a God-fearing man who may make a good husband. You trust God that eventually you will find a good man, but until then, you do what you can.

Asking God for help finding a job is needed to fulfill the command to work: “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10). But I don’t just sit on my couch waiting for some company to call me. I get out and apply, trusting that God will aid me in finding the right place to work.