Understanding Sexual Temptation Намуна

DAY 3: You need comfort.

When you have sex, or engage in other types of sexual activities, your body releases “feel good” chemicals like endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin. God designed this release to reinforce the bonding between a husband and wife. Over time, a married couple learns to seek comfort and pleasure by pursuing and responding to one another. 

Many learn to use sex and sexual activities as a form of self-medicating. Sexual temptation is less about the desire to have sex and more about escaping feelings of anxiety, restlessness, or depression. 

One of the leading movements combating porn is called Fight the New Drug, reminding us that sex can be misused as a drug because it  can highjack the natural pleasure centers of the brain. You then become dependent upon the drug to navigate the challenges of life or even to relax or fall asleep. This is not how God intends us to use the gift of sex, whether we are single or married. 

Clues that this might be underlying your sexual desire: Your sexual temptation is the greatest when you experience physical or emotional discomfort. You regularly feel anxious or depressed. You use sex to reward yourself for working hard. 

Address this need by: Naming the underlying discomfort you are feeling rather than interpreting it as sexual desire; Cultivating healthy ways to find comfort and self care like artistic expression, talking to a friend, worship and prayer, essential oils, cleaning a closet, or taking a nature walk; seeking help from a counselor or sexual addiction specialist. 

As you read these passages, consider what does it practically mean to you to run to the Lord as your source of comfort and help?