Integrity In The Area Of Sexنموونە

Flee from Temptation

Flee the evil desires of youth.... - II Tim 2:22

Sexual temptation is something we cannot avoid altogether. We face it everywhere in different forms. At the same time, it is one of the strongest temptations that has felled even respected Christian leaders. Our safety lies in acknowledging to God our inherent weaknesses, clinging to Him and responding to His word. The man who thinks he will not fall will surely fall, because he is not on his guard. The devil knows how to catch us in our weak moments.

No one will willingly take up a fight with an opponent he knows is stronger. But that is what we foolishly do, when we let down our watchfulness and allow the temptation to come to us in the first place. We are surely not able to stand there and fight. The right thing to do is to run away!

Isn’t it common sense to keep away from places, people and circumstances that will cause us to be tempted? In a battle with pornography, for example, should we not keep away from magazines that contain provocative pictures, or place our computers in such a way that others can see what is going on?

Some people wait for God to take away their sinful desires or to make them ‘dead’ to temptations! But God works together with us. When we keep away from temptations as much as we can, and seek God’s grace over our lives, God then gives us new understanding and strength to fight the battle. The man who passively waits for God to help him overcome sin is not serious about his holiness!

Ultimately our best defense against temptation and sin is a constant seeking after God, wanting to know Him more, to be more pleasing to Him, and desiring to accomplish His plans for our lives. Our life is an uphill journey, and a man who keeps pedaling his bicycle up the hill will be safe, while the one who tries to relax on the pedal will soon fall.

Lord, please give me the strength to fight this battle, to recognize my own limitations and to cling to You more. Amen