Beating Sexual Temptation: The Bible Way Practically ExplainedНамуна

The ‘’Considering the Consequences” method of beating sexual temptation

What is the ninth Bible way of beating sexual temptation? 

I would say, “SHUDDER” – shuddering  to think of the consequences of yielding to sexual sin will be a back-up motivation (if not THE main motivation) to overcome sexual temptation! 

I am talking about having a holy fear of God here. That holy fear, apart from the love of God, can come in handy when it comes to winning over sexual sin.

The effects of yielding to sexual temptation are deadly. It is a fact that the great Australian leg-spinner, Shane Warne, lost the honor of leading the Australian Cricket Team because of the phone sex scandals that surrounded him (learnt from www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041023/spr-trib.htm). 

From the Bible we read about the following lethal results when people have lapped up sexual sin: Firstly, the LORD will leave you and you won't know it. Like it happened for Samson as he lay on Delilah's lap (Jud. 16:20). Secondly, you can never be a leader who will influence people for good. Joseph, one who was famous among a set of 12 brothers for beating sexual temptation was told under Divine Inspiration that he would be "prince among his brothers" while the one who slept with his father's wife, Reuben, was told "you will be first no longer" (Gen. 49:4,26). David, the great leader of Israel who had an adulterous affair, had to go silent when his son raped his daughter (2 Sam. 13: 21,22). Thirdly, violence could become commonplace in your family. David learnt this bitter truth when the lives of three of his Sons - Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah were cut short violently at the prime of their youth. Fourthly, you would have given birth to spiritual enemies who will battle against you for the rest of your life. The sons born to Lot's daughters out of his incestuous relationship with them became ancestors for the Moabites and Ammonites – two of Israel's most bitter enemies in their later years. Fifthly, the advantages you may have gotten through sexual sins will melt away. Remember, David's love-child born as a result of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba eventually died notwithstanding his plea that God would spare Him (2 Sam. 12:14). Sixthly, God's name will be blasphemed. "You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you!'" wrote Paul (Rom. 2: 22,24). Finally, when you persist stubbornly in sexual sin you'll go to hell. The Bible doesn't mince words when it says "the sexually immoral - their place will be the fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Rev. 21:8). 

L-U-S-T is a four letter sin that will take you to a four-lettered place - H-E-L-L. Do these dreadful details from the Bible concerning those who indulged in sexual sin make you shudder? It is meant to do just that. Reason? Shuddering (apart from the primary motivation of loving the Lord so much that sin becomes sickening) can also be biblical way to beat sexual temptation! After proclaiming the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel (including the command, "You shall not commit adultery") Moses told them, "The fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning!" (Ex. 20:14,20). The next time when you think of yielding to sexual temptations, take time to count the cost of yielding to them and you will find that thought not so pleasurable.