SEX, LIES & DESPERATE LOVE LIVES PART 2: - sexual temptation

We live in an era of incredible sexual temptation from the television, the Internet, and our daily interactions. Every day, thousands of men and women fall to sexual temptation and they see their dreams, careers and families ruined because of it. Sexual temptation is so dangerous that the Bible warns us to run away. In

1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT, it says: "Run from sexual sin. No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body."

Recognise, it's not a sin to be tempted, but how we respond will determine whether we live a victorious life or a life enslaved by sin.

How can I defeat the sexual temptation that I face daily? The mind is where the battle with temptation begins and where it's won or lost. "Be careful how you think. Your life is shaped by your thoughts." Proverbs 4:23 GNT. But it is a battle that God doesn't want us to lose.

So to defeat sexual temptation, we need to:

1 Admit that we are tempted.

"But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different than what others experience." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT.

If you admit and recognise your triggers to temptations, then you can prepare for it or prepare to avoid it. "Investigate my life, O God. find out everything about me. Cross-examine and test me ..." Psalm 139:23 MSG. God knows us and what our temptations are. It's our responsibility to get inside ourselves; to know the areas where we are tempted and situations we need to avoid because of temptations.

2 Recognise that we are in a spiritual battle.

At the root of sexual temptation is a spiritual battle for our souls. "There is something ... in my lower nature that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me." Romans 7:23 TLB. The enemy convinces us that giving in to sexual temptation can bring us the greatest joy in this life, so, ultimately, it's the temptation to trade God for a God-substitute.

Whether it is adultery, pornography, or casual sex, we trade God's presence for a quick fix that always leads us into wanting more, yet becoming more lonely and full of regret. But God wants to give you more and wants you to experience an abundant life. Jesus said: "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10 NLT.

3 Recognise that temptation is much easier to avoid than it is to resist

"Be careful if you are thinking, "Oh, I would never behave like that" - let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin." 1 Corinthians 10:12 TLB.

One-night stands, adultery, and pornographic addiction result from us putting ourselves in the wrong situations over and over. But the key is to make it as difficult as possible to fall. "Turn your back on lustful thoughts and give your positive attention to goodness, integrity, love and peace."

2 Timothy 2:22 TLB.

Some ways to defeat sexual temptation in your life are to get support from a group and to nurture your relationship with God by reading the Word and praying regularly.

4 Choose to stop

Make a choice and know that you are not fighting the battle alone. God has already given you the power to win. "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT.

Don't make excuses for the sin in your life. When God calls you to purity in your life, you are being called to do what will bring you the greatest joy and fulfilment. To choose purity is to put yourself under God's blessings, but when you choose impurity, you put separation between you and God. It's your decision.