Stormproof Men IIISample

Severe Storm Alert 

Sometimes, the weatherman predicts severe weather when a cold front approaches. This front might bring severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, frequent lightning, hail, and maybe even tornadoes. When this happens, I watch the weather radar and observe the colors on the screen. Green is fine, but orange is more intense, red even more so, and so on. If it looks like something severe will strike near us, I start thinking about how to protect my family. In other words, my thinking focuses on the storm and almost on nothing else. 

Such a focus is appropriate when it comes to weather conditions and safety. But what if the focus is sex and little else? It has been said that the mind is the biggest sex organ. Something pushes our thoughts toward the sexual. Regardless of our age, sexual thoughts—often inappropriate sexual thoughts—barge into our minds without prompting. Many men agree that they think like this! The thought might be a fantasy about someone. It might be a memory of pornography viewed earlier. 

Ask yourself: Do I find my thoughts going where I know they shouldn’t go? Do I feed my mind with sexual images or stories? Do I find it difficult to stop the sexual thoughts? 

Bad Weather

Some use chat rooms, instant messaging, texting, and other conversational technology to engage in sexual activity of all kinds. Not surprisingly, when a person is communicating with a stranger, they may discover that the person is not who she portrays herself to be. A few years ago, my hometown paper reported the bust of an internet pornography ring within the city. Sitting at the computer was an overweight, middle-aged man in his underwear portraying himself online as an 18-year-old girl!

Some temptations may involve more overt activity and may include the participation of others. Some men become sexually active in their dating relationships. Some choose to live with their girlfriends which, culturally speaking, is a lifestyle that has become more and more acceptable. But, if God’s design for sex is within marriage, cohabitation bypasses this crucial step. 

Some men pursue voyeurism (“peeping Toms”). Some men pick up prostitutes. Some hook up for casual sex. Some pursue adulterous affairs. Some become exhibitionists ("flashers”). And some face other temptations not mentioned in this plan. But whether or not we've addressed the particular temptations you face, it is important to identify them to withstand them better when the temptation does come.

Ask yourself: Which temptations cause me to struggle? Which ones do I pursue?