Overcoming Sexual Temptation

You might think it strange that the girl who has never had a boyfriend or even been on a date would be the one given the assignment to write the blog, “How do I as a Christian overcome sexual temptation?,” but I think it’s interesting that God really doesn’t care what season of life He has you in or where you stand with the opposite sex….we will always be called to live a life a purity, holiness & righteousness (and trust me, even single people deal with it).

I know most of the students/people who are asking this question are doing so because they might think there is a quick, couple-steps answer to how to “be better” when I am alone with my boyfriend/significant other. However, I would argue that the answer we are seeking lies in the nature of how we spend our time in thought, action or deed. I am brought back to Jesus’ powerful words in the gospels that say,

So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

What we watch, hear, think or spend our time doing, effects how we will respond in time of temptation, sexual or otherwise. Some questions to ask ourselves…how do I spend my time? And is it leading me to greater love, knowledge, understanding & desire for the Lord & His purposes? What am I watching or listening to that leads into my thought life? And what is the result of it?

You see, there will always be temptation. We live in a fallen world, one with sin and if sin wasn’t available then we wouldn’t be tempted, but we will be. It’s fact. So I think the better question to ask would be, “How do I as a Christian LIVE while sexual temptation is inevitable?”

I think Paul gives us a couple of pointers in light of our calling…

Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Philippians 4:6-8
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

As you seek Jesus, offer yourself to Him as a living sacrifice & allow Him to remake you, I promise that coping with sexual temptation will become easier. It won’t be gone, but it will make you smarter/wiser in how to take further steps in purity & holiness.

P.S. a guy/girl that deserves your time/heart/future will share this desire & goal with you even in the hard times. So if they don’t, get rid of them.