Preserving Sexual Integrity: A 10-Step Plan
Preserving Sexual Integrity: A 10-Step Plan
Step 1: Face the Reality
We live in a world where sexual temptation is ever-present. It's on our screens, in our conversations, everywhere. Believing we're immune is a fallacy. The first step towards maintaining sexual integrity is recognizing this reality; as 1 John 1:8 reminds us, claiming to be without sin is self-deception.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (NKJV)
Step 2: Understand the Stakes
Sexual transgression can cause far-reaching damage. Each lustful thought or flirtatious conversation can lead to serious consequences. It's like skating on thin ice. We need to take this seriously and resist temptation; as James 1:15 warns, unchecked desire can lead to sin, and sin eventually to death.
James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. [15] Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (NKJV)
Step 3: Stay Ready, And You Don’t Have To Get Ready
Just as we prepare for any major life event, we should also have a plan in place for when temptation arises. Control over our bodies and minds is crucial. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, he disciplines his body to do what's right, not just what it wants.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (NKJV)
Step 4: Encourage Openness
Sexual transgressions thrive in secrecy. Revealing our struggles can be frightening, but it's necessary. We can't fight this battle alone. As James 5:16 tells us, confessing our sins to each other and praying for each other brings healing.
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (NKJV)
Two qualities you should look for in a confidant are trustworthiness and a prayerful life.
Step 5: Keep It 100
To stay on the path of sexual purity, we have to distance ourselves from anything that might lead us astray. This includes not just the obvious but also those subtle influences that might trip us up. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:12-13, all things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial.
1 Corinthians 6:12-13 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. [13] Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (NKJV)
Step 6: Reach Out
Sometimes, sexual transgressions are a symptom of deeper emotional needs. Repentance is the first step, but understanding and addressing the root cause might need professional help. Don't hesitate to seek guidance if you're stuck in a cycle of sin.
Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. (NLT)
Step 7: Embrace the Journey
Sexual temptation isn't a one-time challenge. It’s a lifelong journey. Embrace this journey and remember that sexual purity is part of our continuous growth in faith. As Paul admits in Philippians 3:12-13, he hasn't reached his goal, but he presses on.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
Step 8: Seek Genuine Love
Sexual transgressions can often be a misguided search for love. So, make genuine love a priority in your life, the love of friends, family, and people you trust. A person who knows they're loved is less likely to seek love where it cannot be found.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (NKJV)
Step 9: Welcome Grace
Striving for sexual purity is about giving your genuine effort, relying on the power of Christ, not necessarily about achieving perfection, although it is possible never to break your commitment. A righteous person may stumble, as it says in Proverbs 24:16. So, if you falter, do not succumb to despair or self-condemnation. Instead, rise again, confess, and continue on your journey with renewed commitment and determination.
Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. (NKJV)
Step 10: Live Your Best Life
Having a fulfilling life can help protect us from sexual sin. Cultivate your passions, set clear goals, and remember to enjoy life. An individual whose life is full is less likely to have an emptiness that can be filled by temptation. As you move away from sin, you also move towards a purpose-filled and passionate life. True repentance is not only turning away from sin but also turning towards purpose-driven steps that lead to a more fruitful life in Christ.
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (NKJV)
More Help Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 6:18-19 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. [19] Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (NKJV)
Proverbs 6:27-29 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? [28] Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? [29] So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent. (NKJV)
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 7:1-2Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 7:32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please Him. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 7:34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. (NLT)
Step 1: Face the Reality
We live in a world where sexual temptation is ever-present. It's on our screens, in our conversations, everywhere. Believing we're immune is a fallacy. The first step towards maintaining sexual integrity is recognizing this reality; as 1 John 1:8 reminds us, claiming to be without sin is self-deception.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (NKJV)
Step 2: Understand the Stakes
Sexual transgression can cause far-reaching damage. Each lustful thought or flirtatious conversation can lead to serious consequences. It's like skating on thin ice. We need to take this seriously and resist temptation; as James 1:15 warns, unchecked desire can lead to sin, and sin eventually to death.
James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. [15] Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (NKJV)
Step 3: Stay Ready, And You Don’t Have To Get Ready
Just as we prepare for any major life event, we should also have a plan in place for when temptation arises. Control over our bodies and minds is crucial. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, he disciplines his body to do what's right, not just what it wants.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (NKJV)
Step 4: Encourage Openness
Sexual transgressions thrive in secrecy. Revealing our struggles can be frightening, but it's necessary. We can't fight this battle alone. As James 5:16 tells us, confessing our sins to each other and praying for each other brings healing.
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (NKJV)
Two qualities you should look for in a confidant are trustworthiness and a prayerful life.
Step 5: Keep It 100
To stay on the path of sexual purity, we have to distance ourselves from anything that might lead us astray. This includes not just the obvious but also those subtle influences that might trip us up. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:12-13, all things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial.
1 Corinthians 6:12-13 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. [13] Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (NKJV)
Step 6: Reach Out
Sometimes, sexual transgressions are a symptom of deeper emotional needs. Repentance is the first step, but understanding and addressing the root cause might need professional help. Don't hesitate to seek guidance if you're stuck in a cycle of sin.
Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. (NLT)
Step 7: Embrace the Journey
Sexual temptation isn't a one-time challenge. It’s a lifelong journey. Embrace this journey and remember that sexual purity is part of our continuous growth in faith. As Paul admits in Philippians 3:12-13, he hasn't reached his goal, but he presses on.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
Step 8: Seek Genuine Love
Sexual transgressions can often be a misguided search for love. So, make genuine love a priority in your life, the love of friends, family, and people you trust. A person who knows they're loved is less likely to seek love where it cannot be found.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (NKJV)
Step 9: Welcome Grace
Striving for sexual purity is about giving your genuine effort, relying on the power of Christ, not necessarily about achieving perfection, although it is possible never to break your commitment. A righteous person may stumble, as it says in Proverbs 24:16. So, if you falter, do not succumb to despair or self-condemnation. Instead, rise again, confess, and continue on your journey with renewed commitment and determination.
Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. (NKJV)
Step 10: Live Your Best Life
Having a fulfilling life can help protect us from sexual sin. Cultivate your passions, set clear goals, and remember to enjoy life. An individual whose life is full is less likely to have an emptiness that can be filled by temptation. As you move away from sin, you also move towards a purpose-filled and passionate life. True repentance is not only turning away from sin but also turning towards purpose-driven steps that lead to a more fruitful life in Christ.
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (NKJV)
More Help Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 6:18-19 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. [19] Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (NKJV)
Proverbs 6:27-29 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? [28] Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? [29] So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent. (NKJV)
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 7:1-2Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 7:32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please Him. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 7:34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. (NLT)
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