Escaping sexual immorality

The mind is a brilliant tool that God gave us, however, if satan gets a hold on it we cannot escape without God’s help. If we are deceived into thinking that we must have or do something, it will continually work on us and control our thoughts until we satisfy the desire, find a substitute or expose the lie with truth. There are few things that are as powerful as our basic sexual urges, especially if images are held in the mind of some one, or thing, we see as an attraction even though we know it is wrong. Sex and sexual partners were created for good. Sexual attraction is a great bond that can hold two people together in marriage and endure many disappointments in many areas of less need. Sexual attraction forms a base for love and develops into the physical and spiritual charity that Paul speaks about below. We all need and desire love.

1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And though I have prophecies, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so as to move mountains, and do not have charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And though I give out all my goods to feed the poor, and though I deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, I am profited nothing.
1Co 13:4 Charity has patience, is kind; charity is not envious, is not vain, is not puffed up;
1Co 13:5 does not behave indecently, does not seek her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.
1Co 13:6 Charity does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth,
1Co 13:7 quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1Co 13:8 Charity never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be abolished; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be abolished.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease.

Visions and what is seen are powerful driving forces for good or evil.
Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he who keeps the law, he is blessed.

Woman and man were designed by God to help each other and to populate the world..
Gen 1:27 And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him. He created them male and female.
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it. And have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the heavens, and all animals that move upon the earth.
Gen 2:18 And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.

This was God’s plan. However, being human, there are times that we are influenced by those around us. We develop attractions for those we feel are caring and who reach out to us. We reject people and genders whom we see as unloving and uncaring. However, human experiences do not change what God desires for us. Because God knows how powerful sexual attractions can be, He cautions us to flee immoral attractions rather than try and fight them. He knows our own mind can continually work against us concerning incorrect desires.
1Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits fornication* sins against his own body. *Fornication= sexual intercourse between a man and woman not married to each other.
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry*. *anything that we put above God.
Our own desires can also become idols to us because we would value our own opinion more than Gods and are found trusting our will more than His.

2Ti 2:22 But flee youthful lusts, and follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Lusts often arise out of what we see and desire. We have a choice to follow the desire or God’s will.

God encourages us to love God enough to follow Him
Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
The love comes from the heart, soul and mind where the real battle grounds are. God desires that we always seek Him first, no matter what is desired.

Mat 6:31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 For the nations seek after all these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
God knows all that we need and will provide for those that follow Him

Jesus was the best example of always seeking what the Father God’s will was and is. He tells us to always follow every word that comes from God the Father. Incidently, he always spoke what he heard from the Father and the Holy Spirit always does the will of the Father.
Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

It all comes down to the question: who do I trust and honor the most, God or myself? Do I follow God’s will or my will? God says my body is a temple where
He lives. He tells me to be holy in Christ, and to fear (greatly respect) God.

1Co 6:17 But he being joined to the Lord is one spirit.
1Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits fornication sins against his own body.
1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own,
1Co 6:20 for you are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Eph 1:4 according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
1Pe 2:17 Honor all. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Every time that we pray, we are to submit to the will of our Father God in heaven
Mat 6:9 Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

What then do we do to escape a wrong temptation such as described below?
Rom 1:21 Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools
Rom 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.
Rom 1:25 For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause, God gave them up to dishonorable affections. For even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. Women with women described.
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another; males with males working out shamefulness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error. Men with men also described.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, If this bothers you, God has not given up on you and you are not beyond help. Change before it is to late.
Rom 1:32 who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them. Looking at pornography is described as wrong.

If you want to go to heaven and be blessed by God on earth? What must you do?

1. Decide who is in control of your life, you or God. Hint: Choose God. Christ cared enough for you to die on the cross. His Father God loved you enough to send Christ to suffer for you. God’s rules apply whether we approve or not. Invite Christ to be in charge of your life and decisions.

2. Be willing to change and ask God’s forgiveness and His help to guide you at all times

3. Scripture talks about the words of Christ dwelling in you to produce riches or blessings.
Col 3:16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Speak the prayer given by Christ daily, dwelling on Matthew 6:10. When tempted, recite Romans 1:21-32 above. Verbally rebuke satan quoting the Romans reference. Read more scripture to know God and develop a relationship with Him. Re-focus on something else to take your mind off the temptation.

4. Seek new relationships approved by God. Turn from those who bring temptation and condemnation to you. You might even give them a copy of this writing to help them understand your change of heart. Know that you are not banished from having love in your life. Love God and seek Christian fellowship. Be patient and caring. See what God has in store for you. He gives good gifts. Do not expect perfection in the actions of others except Christ. We do not get the total mind of Christ until we reach heaven. All need help until then.

May God bless you.