In Psalm 101:3, David said, “I will set no vile thing before my eyes.” If you’re serious about victory in this area, you’re going to have to give up about 80 percent of the movies and shows that are out there today. The Bible says what you allow in the gate of your mind goes into your soul.
Minimize the opportunities for temptation.
If you want to avoid a fatal attraction, don’t allow yourself in situations where it happens. Matthew 6:41 says, “Keep watch, and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus said here keep watch and pray—two preventative techniques. Know the situations that tempt you, that get you off base. Are you aware of the things that trip you up?
What do you do if you’re caught off guard? You pray. Right there on the spot. You say, “God, help me get out of this situation.”
Choose the friends you have very carefully. I Corinthians 15:33 says, “Bad company corrupts good character.” People who condone or encourage lust or make light of it are not your real friends. When you choose your close friends, you’d better be certain that they’re committed to faithfulness in their marriage or they better not be your best friends. Minimize the opportunity. It would be better to change jobs than to be unfaithful to your mate.
Magnify the consequences.
Ask yourself with every temptation, no matter where it is or what level it is, “Is this worth it?” Temptation is incredibly short-sighted. There are enormous consequences to breaking God’s laws. I have heard the hurtful cries and the damage that has been done, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, mentally. When we break God’s laws, we don’t break them—they break us. It always causes bitterness, guilt, disillusionment, strains in relationships, hurts, breaks fellowship with God, brings judgement on our lives. It’s just not worth it no matter what society says. Magnify the consequences.
Also, magnify the consequences of running from the temptation and the benefits of doing so. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under temptation, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor’s crown, the life God has promised to those who love Him.” The result of fleeing temptation is a crown in heaven.
If you’ve already experienced moral failure or are in the middle of one right now, there is forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Ask forgiveness, make amends, offer forgiveness to others, restore relationships and run back to God. There is forgiveness, and the conscience can be cleared and clean. And always be about the business of preventing it from happening again by living under God’s truth and grace.
