OVERCOMING SEXUAL SIN

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1) Be in a godly environment
‘The parable of the sower’, narrated by our Lord Jesus in Matthew 13 teaches us a great lesson about the effects of our environment. From the parable, the farmer sowed the seeds but none of them was fruitful except the seed which fell on good soil. Though the same seeds were sown, what actually determined their growth was their environments. This means the growth of a seed is determined not only by its viability but also by its environment.

Do you want to overcome sexual sins? Then check the environment you spend your time in; the kind of friends you mingle with, the kind of social media platforms you are in, and the kind of websites you visit.

Be nice to everyone but choose your friends. For ”as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). Just as the environment of a seed affects its growth, so your friends can directly or indirectly affect your moral values and spiritual growth. Some people are fire extinguishers, allow them not to become your friends else they quench your fire. Jesus told His friends; “you did not choose Me, but I chose you”(John 15:16). Be watchful then and choose your friends.

Be selective also with the kind of social media groups you join and the kind of websites you visit. How can you be a member of profane social media platforms and expect holiness? Why visiting pornographic websites and think of purity? “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character”(1Cor. 15:33). If you really want to overcome sexual sin and live in purity, then be planted in a good soil.

2) Be watchful
Watchfulness is imperative in overcoming sexual sin. Genesis 39 gives us the account of Joseph who was sexually tempted by his master’s wife. The verse 10 says; “though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” Now take note of the last phrase; “or even be with her.” Joseph refused to be around Potiphar’s wife because he was not ready to go to bed with her.

Brethren, prevention is better than cure. If you want to overcome sexual sin and live a holy life, then be watchful against the schemes of the enemy! Why sleeping under a tree whose fruit is forbidden? Why playing with poison when you know it can kill you? The man of God is still a man, don’t be overconfident to entertain sin. Be watchful!

When it comes to sexual sin the Bible tells us to “flee” (1Cor. 6:18). Not only to fight it but to take flight from it. We are to flee from all sexual immoralities in thoughts, in words, and in deeds. We are to run away from it and avoid the things that lead to it as Joseph did. “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise” (Eph. 5:15).

3) Guard your heart
Another action to take in overcoming sexual sin is to guard your heart from things that lead to sexual immoralities. As Proverbs 4:23 says; “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Guarding the heart involves consciously protecting the heart from sin so that nothing evil enters.

How then can you guard your heart? You guard your heart by guarding your senses. As we know from science, man is made of five basic senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. These senses are the gateways into your heart. To keep your heart from sexual sins, you must do well to secure these senses from unholy things especially the sense of sight, hearing, and touch.

You cannot watch everything and read all stuffs and expect to live in holiness. I’m sorry, it doesn’t work like that! If you really want to guard your heart then be selective with the kind of things you watch and read; the kind of movies and pictures you watch, the kind of social media posts you watch, and the kind of stories you read. Go for things that build you up and avoid those that corrupt your heart.

You should be selective also with the things you listen to; the kind of music and the kind of advice you listen to. As a Christian you are advised to adhere to gospel music. Not just any music captioned gospel but real biblical gospel music, and avoid songs which are profane and sensual. For such lead to sexual immoralities.

Also, as a Christian who wants to live in holiness you should do well to desist from unnecessary bodily contacts, especially with the opposite sex. Some hand swings, hugs, and tickles are really not necessary and should be avoided. Human beings are emotional beings. If you really want to overcome sexual sin and live in purity, then do well to avoid unnecessary bodily contacts. Guard yourself and guard your fellow believer!