RESIST THE ENEMY
"Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne."
REVELATIONS 3:21
What a wonderful promise! Jesus invites us to reign together with him. He invites us to ascend His throne, just as He ascended His Father's throne. The only thing that is needed is our overcoming. But what does it mean to overcome?
The encyclopedia says:
Overcoming
= to succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty) / defeat, overpower or overwhelm an opponent
Jesus wants us to overcome. He wants us to resist the enemy's attacks on our sexuality with his power. 1 John 4:4 says:
"But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
1 JOHN 4:4
What a wonderful truth! Take these words and use them in your situation. Say the following sentences out loud:
"I am a child of God! I have overcome the world because Jesus who is in me is stronger than Satan who is in the world. That is why I continue to refuse to succumb to the temptations of the enemy. My promises are clearly formulated in the Word of God, and I rejoice when I am tempted. Yes, I laugh in Satan's face and am full of anticipation of what will happen after this temptation. For I will prove myself in faith and my faith will grow. I will learn patience and become so good in it that I will no longer be lacking in anything."
God promises us in James 1:2-4:
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
JAMES 1:2-4
Isn't that awesome? Overcoming is actually quite simple. A picture that I find very helpful in this context is the following: troubles and temptations are like birds circling above your head. You can't prevent them from flying around there. But you can prevent them from building a nest on your head.
It is the same with thoughts. For example, if you see something that arouses you and wants to force you into old patterns of behaviour (pornography, masturbation,...), don't condemn yourself for having these thoughts, but resist them with joy. It is not a sin that these thoughts come . What you do with them is much more important.
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are."
1 PETER 5:8-9
Resist persistantly by faith! Once again we see that only our faith has the power to oppose the enemy. No other power will save you than your faith in the power of Jesus Christ. Neither your discipline, your efforts to control your thoughts, nor all the mechanisms you've gotten used to in dealing with challenges will save you. Only your faith in Jesus and His promises can do this.
Don't train yourself to overcome temptations in your own strength, but rather use the Word of God in these situations.
If you find yourself in a situation where you face your own sexual needs, do not condemn yourself. Don't look for a worldly way out, but put his word in your mouth. He promises that he will satisfy every lack in you. That he knows all your needs and will meet them. You may not feel this immediately, but through your perseverance in faith you will beginn to notice how the power of the Word starts to unfolds in your life.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."
ROMANS 5:3-4
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
ROMANS 12:1-2
"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts."
2 TIMOTHY 2:22
"Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God."
PSALM 119:115