HOW TO DEAL WITH IMMORAL URGES.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*HOW TO DEAL WITH IMMORAL URGES.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Romans 8:12-13 *Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.*

*For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Some people express their love for others sexually. lf it is not in the context of marriage, your love for someone does not need to be expressed sexually.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Paul warns us in Rom 8:12, we are under an obligation, not to the flesh but to the Spirit.

Immoral urges are deeply rooted in sexual urges.

The human body was created to respond to each other as male to female and vice versa.

Human sexual response is normal. It is part of being human. We are all sexual people. We were products of it, and we were created to reproduce more generations by it. This will be so until eternity.

Sexual intimacy must, however, be done to please God. It must be in the confined context of a holy matrimony between a man and a woman.

Marriage is designed to cure adultery and promote fellowship, love, harmony, and procreation as designed by God.

Self sexual gratification, browsing illicit sites, lack of self-control, and many other vices have militated against God's intended purpose of human sexual purity.

Marriage, meant to cure these vices, is no longer a cure, especially to adultery.

Married people are often attracted to other people. Some have even been known to fall in love with someone else. It is as bad as this.

So, how do we deal with sexual temptation?

Firstly, Paul says we run away from it 1 cor 6:18, Gen 39:11-12.

Secondly, we must choose not to act upon these natural sexual feelings or urges. We must know that just because we are sexually tempted does not mean we must react to the natural sexual urges as singles or married

Thirdly, when tempted, you do not have to express your love, sexually to someone you like or who likes you or is attracted to or is affectionate to you. You do not have to define or express love by sex.

You can crucify your affection until the time is right. This is in marital bliss.

Songs of Solomon 8:4 *Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right....."*

Fourthly, we must learn to deal with these urges because they will inevitably arise as long as we are in this flesh if we are to remain the true child of God.

How? We must be able to express love in other ways. We must be able to bury illicit sexual urges as if it were not there. Concentrate our minds on things that will take our minds away from it. Love God and His word. This is key.

Spending time in fellowship with people who have made the choice of purity. Other examples are; engaging in more schedules (keeping yourself busy), community, time with counselors, and abstaining from provocative materials.

Some of these can help you to enjoy God's intimacy and intimacy with Him

far beyond any urge for illicit sex.

Fifthly, think and take a cue from people who are committed to their marriages. There are role models amongst us. There are sexually pure people. Ask God, He will show them to you. There are always distinctive people in a corrupt generation, 2 Pet 2:7-8. Though tempted as natural sexual humans, they have taught themselves not to act on those feelings.

They have deeply committed themselves to God and are convinced fleshly lust is not for them, and God holds them to high esteem.

Commit yourself to same gender counseling over your sexual challenges. A good counselor will not condemn you but will appropriately guide you and advise.

*Remorse corner.*

You must prevent yourself from unguarded moments. If you are close to the edge, you will fall. Make a covenant with your eyes (Job 31:1), avoid sexually provocative gatherings and sites.

*Call to Word action.*

James 1:14 *But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

You have fallen into temptation and fulfilled your sexual urge because you wanted it. You can avoid temptation, 1 Cor 10:13.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me not to live in the way the flesh wants me to live, but let me by the Spirit live to put the deeds of the flesh to death, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and be blessed as you come into His presence today.

God bless you.