Make A Decisionنموونە

Prayer: God, thank You for loving me unconditionally. Thank You for loving me so much that You don’t want to leave me in my brokenness. Thank You, God, for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins—past, present, and future. Lord, please allow this time to be glorifying to You. I ask that You would turn my focus away from my own wants and desires, and help me to focus on You. I pray that You would would tune my heart and desires to align with Your will.

He is With You in the Fight

After yesterday’s devo, we can better understand the purpose behind God’s commands: they are set in place so we don’t hurt ourselves. If you are at a point where you understand that there are harmful ways to express your sexuality which do not lead you toward God—but actually keep you away from pursuing a more intimate relationship with Him—then maybe you’re asking, “Okay, so then how do I pursue God when these holds are so strong?” 

For starters, this isn’t a quick fix! For most people, sexuality is by far the most difficult area of our lives to control. However, Scripture tells us that, no matter what you are struggling with, Jesus our High Priest knows exactly what we’re going through. And God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. 

In order to win this battle, we need Christian community. Meet up as often as you need with people of the same sex so that you can confess your sins and pray for each other. Scripture tells us we need both prayer and confession to other believers. When a sin is brought into the light before people who can help, the grip of the darkness subsides before the light of Christ. Accountability matters: bad behaviors change when others are watching. Second, flee from sexual immorality. Whatever “porn” looks like in your life—run away from it! Whether it’s late night HBO, romance novels, fitness pages on Instagram, or anything else that provokes lustful thoughts in your mind—flee!

So what does fleeing look like? Let’s take a look at masturbation, as an example. Masturbation is an inward and selfish desire, taking sexual expression out of its  designed context of marriage. So, in order to flee, you must go the opposite direction. When thoughts of lust attack you, pray for someone else. Take your mind completely off yourself. One of the most powerful prayers you can lift up in a time of intense temptation is to ask the Lord for the salvation of a nonbeliever in your life. Have a name in mind, so that when you are tempted you can ask the God of the universe to soften the heart of a non-believing friend in that moment. Get creative with how you flee, and share with your accountability partners as you work with the Spirit of God and one another to fight for victory.

Questions to ask yourself

1. When Jesus was tempted, how did He combat Satan? (Hint: See Matthew 4:1-11.) 
2. In the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, notice the three elements that were in play. Jesus was alone, tired, and hungry. When are you prone to be tempted?

What’s next?

1. God loves us so much that He sent us a Helper, and that is the Holy Spirit! God wants us to depend on him daily. After you have given thanks to God, ask God every day, “Lord, I feel so weak. Strengthen me. I feel so helpless. Help me. I feel so cornered. Show me the exit. I feel so pulled. Pull me back.”
2. As you focus on God, everything else falls into place. Your will begins to align with His. So, daily, ask God, “Lord, please tune my heart and mind to see people the way You do. Let my thoughts, words, and actions all be glorifying to you. Use me today to build Your Kingdom. In Jesus name!” 
3. Lastly, text a believing friend right now and ask them if you can meet up this week to confess to them, and for you to hold one another accountable.