Understanding Sexual Sin: TemptationSample

TEMPTATION, PRAYER, AND VIGILANCE

It’s always a good idea to pray that the Lord will protect us from temptation (Matthew 6:13). But prayer by itself is not enough. At least not where sexual purity and marital fidelity are concerned. Once we’ve made our request known to our Father in heaven, we also have to make up our minds to stay vigilant and keep up our guard.

If we don’t, we can easily be thrown off balance and taken by surprise. We can be led astray by the schemes of the devil or seduced by our own subconscious lusts and desires (James 1:14). Why? Because “the flesh is weak.”

If you really want to avoid flirtation and illicit affairs, you have to embrace every aspect of the defense system the Lord has placed at your disposal. Ask for His protection. Make up your mind to stand firm. And keep your eyes peeled for unexpected traps and snares.

This is particularly important if you are unusually prone to sexual temptation. Were you promiscuous as a teen or young adult? Is there something in your family background that might make you especially vulnerable – a divorce, for example, or an affair, or abuse or neglect of some kind? Do you struggle with feelings of insecurity or low self-esteem? 

Do you and your spouse find it hard to talk about your deepest thoughts and emotions? In marriage, the bottom line is always communication. Couples who can learn to be open, honest, and caring in the way they express their wants, needs, desires, and concerns to one another are the ones who have the best chance of safeguarding their relationship. These are the couples who usually end up going the distance in marriage.

If you’re battling temptation, it can also be helpful to seek the guidance and support of a larger community. Find a way to make yourself accountable to others who can hold you to a high standard of morality and marital commitment. Many churches offer support groups or adult Sunday school classes designed to help couples build stronger marriages. It would be a good idea to get connected with a class or group of this kind and make it a regular part of your lives.

You can also strengthen your marriage by participating in an online Couple Checkup. Whether you’re dating, engaged, newly married, or celebrating decades of life together, this assessment tool will bring out the areas where you shine as a couple. It will also help you target spots that could use a little improvement.

It consists of between 110-130 questions, based on your particular life stage. It takes about thirty minutes to complete (both husband and wife need to participate). When you’re finished you’ll receive a feedback report that identifies your strengths and growth areas as a couple, provides discussion starters and guidelines, and suggests recommended resources for further investment in your relationship.

A trained counselor can also help you perform an assessment of your marriage and point out both the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship. If you have children, it might be worth your while to involve the whole family in a series of positive, proactive group therapy sessions.

For more help, visit Focus on the Family’s website, or call the ministry’s Counseling Department for a free consultation at 855-771-HELP (4357).