Guarding Against Temptation In A Sensual World

From nearly the beginning of time, people have struggled with temptation. Usually, the battle begins in the mind. Quickly, it advances to what we’re seeing with our eyes. And the more we gaze upon something, the more we desire to have it. And as we cross the line from temptation into sin, a variety of thoughts and emotions emerge.

At first, it’s easy to disregard your actions as a one-time event. But then, you continue to go back for more. Eventually, you defend your actions and may erupt in anger when someone suggests that what you are doing is wrong. But one day, you wake up to realize that you are in over your head.

Looking back at your life, you wonder how you managed to get so far off course. You have lost yourself in the process and now wear a cloak of guilt and shame. And maybe, you even realize that you have lost other things that mattered along the way. Though a desire is within you to escape the life you have been leading, it feels impossible. After all, no one would understand what you’ve been through.

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Understand this, that’s another lie crafted by Satan intended to keep you in bondage to his kingdom. Others have gone before you and can easily relate to the experiences you have had. For those who chose to pursue righteousness and leave their life of sin, they found redemption. But for those who were complacent in their comfortability, they instead experienced their demise.

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Throughout the Bible, there are examples of people who pursued their fleshly desires after experiencing temptation.

Temptation

In the exchange between the serpent and Eve in Genesis 3, Satan attacked what Eve honestly believed. He challenged, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). Eve quickly responded with what she knew to be true, specifically identifying the tree that she and Adam were supposed to stay away from. Adding to what the Lord had said, she told the serpent that she could not even touch it without experiencing death.

Again, Satan sought to challenge her thinking, thus beginning the temptation placed before her eyes. From there, we know how the story ends. Not only did Eve eat from the tree, but she convinced Adam to do so as well. The death they encountered was not physical death, but instead spiritual.

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Not only were they banished from the garden, but they were forced to experience separation from God.

King David’s Temptation

Probably one of the most prolific men in the Bible, King David, was often referred to as a man after God’s own heart. However, sin was found crouching at his door, and he succumbed to the mounting temptation. But, as he experienced, our sins have a way of finding us out (2 Samuel 11 & 12).

Thinking nothing of his one-night stand, King David continued on with his life. That is until he got word that Bathsheba was pregnant, and there was no way the baby was her husband’s – as he was a fighting man and out of town at the time of conception. Fearing exposure, he had to come up with a plan quickly. King David called for Bathsheba’s husband to come home from battle to rest, hoping that he would enjoy his wife’s company while on leave.

This backfired though, as Uriah stood faithful to his call as a soldier and refused to return to his wife. One sin gave birth to another, and King David had Uriah killed.

Again, he thought that his sin could go unnoticed. He allowed Bathsheba to grieve but then married her. All was right with the world – until Nathan the prophet showed up. King David’s sin was exposed, and it cost him the life of his son. But thankfully, his story doesn’t end there. Instead, a story of genuine repentance unfolds, and King David is restored in God’s eyes.

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King Solomon

Another great and noble king, who had more wisdom than anyone else in history, King Solomon had everything at his disposal and was accredited for building an immaculate temple. Yet, he lacked contentment.

His hunger for women was insatiable. Though the Lord gave him specific orders, the lust in his heart proved too much to withstand. With hundreds of wives and concubines, Solomon found himself being led astray. Turning from the God who had been faithful throughout his entire life to the gods that his wives wanted him to worship, Solomon quickly found his demise. His choices led to the downfall of Israel as a nation and affected generations to follow (1 Kings 11).

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The Woman At The Well

One afternoon, in the heat of the day, a woman traversed to the well in town – being treated as unworthy to collect water at any other time. Downtrodden, full of shame, and knowing that she was an abomination in the sight of others, the last thing she expected to encounter was a man who would have the audacity to ask for a drink of water.

But as the story unfolded, this was not just any man – this was Jesus (John 4).

He told her things about herself that no stranger would immediately know, such as the truth that she had five husbands and was instead living with another man. Never once was she condemned in her interaction with Jesus, but was offered the choice to go and sin no more. As a result of her encounter and testimony, many within her town became believers.

Priceless

Jesus will never condemn you.

Seeing us in our sin, Jesus never loses sight of who God created us to be. Though we struggle to see our own value and others may declare us worthless, He always refers to us as being priceless. No amount of sin, shame, guilt, or scourge could cause Him to look upon us with anything less than genuine true love.

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To fully receive His forgiveness, we have to choose to leave our life of sin. It takes responsibility and courage to take the first steps needed to put your feet back on solid ground, but redemption is waiting for you. Letting your guard down produces a vulnerability that gives Satan access to your life.

Remain diligent in outfitting yourself with the Full Armor of God.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” -Ephesians 6:13

Road To Freedom

The Conquer Series, a 10-week cinematic course combining biblical and scientific principles, is a great place to begin the journey. This introductory course will help you understand how the brain is changed through sexual behaviors,.

You will also learn why trying harder does not work and how wounds of the past may be contributing to your present-day struggle. Plus, as you start gaining sobriety, you will begin reclaiming your God-given identity.

Warpath, intended to follow the Conquer Series, is a powerful long-term course for men. Focusing on identity, pursuing your destiny, and reclaiming your marriage and family, this study will take you to new heights as you forge onward.

As you find your strength, you will feel empowered to step into the trenches with other men who desire to reclaim their lives. Your voice will become one of hope to those around you. And, your wife and children will begin to see the fruits of your choice to choose them instead of the sin you’ve left behind.

Though it takes time, this journey can birth a life that you never dreamed possible for yourself – a life of healing and freedom! Get started today at SoulRefiner.com.