The Sunday Mail
Pastors Davison & Gwendoline Kanokanga
Whenever you are faced with any temptation you should know that you are not the first one to be tempted. Temptations are common.
Therefore there will be nothing unique about your temptation. God in his wisdom will never allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle. In other words, you have the ability and capacity to overcome temptations. Not only do you have the power but with each temptation, God provides a way of escape.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Here are a few practical tips which can help you gain victory over sexual temptation.
Avoidance
It is advisable for you to anticipate and prevent falling into sexual temptation. You should in your moments of strength make decisions that will prevent temptation in moments of weakness. You should avoid befriending sexually immoral people.
“ . . . Evil company corrupts good habits.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Avoid being sensually driven; your flesh should not control you. You should control your flesh.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are : adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like.” – Galatians 5:19 – 22
If you are still single you should avoid entering into love relationships prematurely. It should always be remembered that there is a time for everything. If you enter into a love relationship pre-maturely you run the serious risk of failing to properly manage the relationship.
This could lead to the commission of fornication. When in love, it is advisable for you to avoid being with your partner alone in private settings which can lead to sexual temptation. It is not a good idea for a lady to visit a man alone in his flat, room or house. Such visits are very tempting.
Avoid pornographic material. Avoid watching X-rated movies. If you are still single you should avoid things that can arouse passions which cannot be righteously satisfied. Always be aware of your vulnerability to sexual temptation. Never ever think that you are exempt from sexual temptation.
“Don’t be so naïve and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else.” – 1 Corinthians 10:12 (Message)
The above reality requires that you at all times be sober and vigilant.
“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaming lion seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
Run Away
It is generally believed that when one runs away it means he or she is a coward. This is not always true. In fact, there are circumstances when running away is an act of courage and bravery.
There is wisdom in running away from danger. Joseph’s story is a case in point. The Bible says that after Potiphar’s wife took notice of Joseph she day after day pleaded with him to go to bed with her. Here is what happened when Joseph was attending to his duties and none of the household servants were in the house.
“She caught him by his cloak and said – Come to bed with me! But he left the cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”- Gen 39:12-13
What Joseph did was an act of courage and bravery. He showed unusual integrity and self-control.
This in fact is consistent with what the Bible prescribes as the correct attitude toward sexual immorality. We are not to entertain or play with sexual immorality. On the contrary, we are to;
“Flee sexual immorality” – 1 Corinthians 6:18
Honour Your Marriage
Marriage is a priority relationship. It takes priority over your relationship with your parents, your brothers and sisters, your children as well as your pastor. In fact, marriage is the highest human relationship there is. If you are married you must value your marriage and give it top priority in your life.
“Honour your marriage and its vows, and be pure; for God will surely punish all those who are immoral and commit adultery” – Hebrews 13:4
If you honour your marriage, you will honour your vows. If you honour your vows, you will not commit adultery. If you honour your marriage, you will refrain from doing anything that can possibly undermine your marriage.
Davison & Gwendoline Kanokanga are founders and trustees of The Marriage Centre: www.themarriagecentre.com. They are also the founders & senior pastors of Impact Christian Centre: www.impactchristiancentre.net
