A prayer for self-control
Monday 5th November 2018
'God wants you to be holy, so don't be immoral in matters of sex.' 1 Thessalonians 4:3 CEV
When God created Adam and Eve, he told them to 'multiply and replenish the earth' (see Genesis 1:28). That helps to explain why sex is one of the strongest of human drives. But if we allow this drive to take control and determine our behaviour, we can make bad decisions. The Bible says: 'God wants... each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable. Don't use your body for sexual sin like the people who do not know God' (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NCV).
When we have physical intimacy with a person we're not truly committed to, eventually someone's going to get hurt. The safest place for sex is inside of marriage (see Hebrews 13:4). We need to listen what God says about this issue, before we get into situations where we're tempted to compromise our character.
So how can we resist that pressure? (1) Read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. Our bodies belong to God, and whatever we do with, and to, our bodies should glorify him. (2) If we find ourselves in a tempting situation, get out of it as quickly as possible. Or, even better, avoid the situation completely. (3) Pray this prayer: 'Lord, I'm not going to be controlled by these impulses. I choose to keep your standards, and to rely on your Spirit to give me strength.'
So what now? If you're feeling tempted, pray the prayer above, or use your own words to declare that you choose to make God's honourable standards your own.
Monday 5th November 2018
'God wants you to be holy, so don't be immoral in matters of sex.' 1 Thessalonians 4:3 CEV
When God created Adam and Eve, he told them to 'multiply and replenish the earth' (see Genesis 1:28). That helps to explain why sex is one of the strongest of human drives. But if we allow this drive to take control and determine our behaviour, we can make bad decisions. The Bible says: 'God wants... each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable. Don't use your body for sexual sin like the people who do not know God' (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NCV).
When we have physical intimacy with a person we're not truly committed to, eventually someone's going to get hurt. The safest place for sex is inside of marriage (see Hebrews 13:4). We need to listen what God says about this issue, before we get into situations where we're tempted to compromise our character.
So how can we resist that pressure? (1) Read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. Our bodies belong to God, and whatever we do with, and to, our bodies should glorify him. (2) If we find ourselves in a tempting situation, get out of it as quickly as possible. Or, even better, avoid the situation completely. (3) Pray this prayer: 'Lord, I'm not going to be controlled by these impulses. I choose to keep your standards, and to rely on your Spirit to give me strength.'
So what now? If you're feeling tempted, pray the prayer above, or use your own words to declare that you choose to make God's honourable standards your own.