I’ve been asked recently about the best way to deal with sexual temptation. It’s a question that I get asked fairly frequently, so here’s by thoughts on the matter:
Firstly, the bible says “resist the devil and he will flee from you”. That’s harder than it sounds, especially when every bone in your body is fighting against you as well! However, there is power in this. Try deciding that you are simply not going to give in. You don’t have to give in, so don’t.
Secondly, seek God’s help. Psalm 10 says that the wicked man is proud and doesn’t see God. Humble yourself and run to the throne of grace.
Thirdly, get some accountability. Secrecy is often the Christian’s biggest enemy. Share it with someone you trust and is mature in the Lord, and of the same gender as you.
Fourthly, be active. Idle hands are the devils tools. And idle brain is the devils playground.
Here are some recommended books and services:
Book: Every Man’s Battle by Stephen Arterbum
Book: When Good Men are Tempted by Bill Perkins
I do not all know about the scripture but No.3 sounds extremely truthful. Secrecy is dangerous! But no. 4 seems a wives tail idle hands or just be self disciplined? Nothing wrong with relaxing if you work hard, learning to sit still and be content is a gift from our Lord
By: changemeabc on January 8, 2008
at 9:24 pm
Good advice. With all the junk out there it’s harder than ever for a man (and a woman) to remain pure in their thoughts and with their eyes. The devil is on the prowl…
By: beverlyshaffer on January 8, 2008
at 9:38 pm
cool post. really convicted me in my thought life. Do u have more info on this subject?
By: neogotchi on January 8, 2008
at 10:49 pm
changemeabc – I simply mean that if you come under attack go out in public – to the shopping mall or someplace where you are not likely to commit sin.
By: same on January 9, 2008
at 7:33 am
That is true…some temptation is a battle of mind, need cleansing from the Lord and good routines to break it.
By: changemeabc on January 9, 2008
at 8:37 am
Great discussion on a valuable topic. If I may, I would add another book to the list:
The Game Plan by Joe Dallas (The Men’s 30-day Strategy for Attaining Sexual Integrity)
In it the author covers point 1-4 above and adds a few more of his own.
By: dave on January 9, 2008
at 1:19 pm
Dave, I’ve heard of that book. Thanks for adding it
By: same on January 9, 2008
at 6:33 pm
Nothing beats occupying the heart and mind with Christ and His character. Indeed, an appreciation of the character and presence of Christ and what his thoughts are in relation to our actions will have a great purifying effect on our lives. If we appreciate the reality of His presence, our accountability to Him will outweigh any accountability that we have to others or any resolution we can make within ourselves.
I think the big problem is that we don’t really appreciate the reality of Christ in our lives.
How do I know? Because we do things in the presence of Christ that we would never do in the presence of our wife/neighbour/friend/accountability partner.
By: Steve on January 14, 2008
at 12:51 am
Another great purifier is a conscious awareness of the hope within us:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)
By: Steve on January 14, 2008
at 12:56 am
excellent thoughts Steve, thanks
By: same on January 14, 2008
at 7:12 am
wow… this is similar to mine…
http://scripture4u.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/secret-sins/
By: neogotchi on January 22, 2008
at 1:53 am
Great post…very helpfull for people in today’s world. May God Bless you..
By: thecandles on January 29, 2008
at 11:24 am