Resisting the flesh

[Wally]

I want to encourage you not as someone who's vanquished and enemy, but on the same side of the battle. I'm sure what you face is similar to many other men, myself included, yet each one is unique.

One of the best books on character is Job. And if you want a blueprint for conduct, follow Job's example. But also learn from Job's ordeal. God is in control. We just have to trust Him.

Also don't be afraid to be honest with God. Asaph, Jerimiah were greived at the visible success of the wicked. Sometimes I am perplexed by God's injustice - letting me exist is one example (thank you God for being unjust sometimes-mercy)- sometimes I'm just don't like the situation, and I tell Him - BUT:
I know I'm so valuble to Him,
I know His thoughts are beyond mine,
I know He is touched with a feeling for our weaknesses (Dallas Holme)
He is an awesome God and Savior. He is my friend.

[No2Flesh]

Amen Brother. Im giving it to God
and praying Im never tempted like Job was.

Here are a few verses I found related to this subject:

Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.

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Proverbs 7:25-27 (King James Version)

25Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

26For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

27Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
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Proverbs 6:23-25 (King James Version)

23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

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Proverbs 7:22He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
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Matthew 5:28
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
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Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
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Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
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Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
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Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
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1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
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[Issachar]

This is a valuable thread.
We live in a world/culture that is hyper-saturated with sex. Right up front I want to respond to someone's comment about marriage. Being married is not the cure for lust although healthy, normal relations with one's wife is extremely helpful. As we all know, we are born with flesh in a fallen state. The only thing it cares about is having itself satisfied by whatever it's current desire is. When it does not get it's way, it goes into a tantrum. The devil and his minions are ever present to encourage the flesh and somehow, always suggests that it "deserves" to have whatever it's current craving is. If single, the temptation is to believe that all would be well in this area if I just had a wife. If married, the temptation is "if she only wanted relations more often" or "well she is six or more months pregnant ..." or "she doesn't look nearly as good as when we were married", which is tough for guys sometimes because we were created so visually oriented. The "visual" thing about us is not a bad thing because God did that, but it's the fallen nature of man that makes his visualness (is that a word? :) ) go where it should not. I work part time tutoring math and electronics students at a local community college. Although the majority of women are dressed pretty much modestly, there is still a lot that don't have "modest" in their vocabulary. Back a few years ago I was praying these stupid, low cut pants would go out of style. Well, they've only gotten worse. :gaah

I hope that this does not sound trite, but the answer, as some have sort of already pointed out, is to "just say no". Everytime the flesh wants to look, don't. Each time the flesh will get weaker. Sometimes I think of the flesh as being a terrorist. Don't deal with terrorists. There is no compromise. Either the flesh gets all that it wants or it goes into a tizzy. "Too bad", I tell it. "You can just go hang on a tree".

Galatians 3:
13 *Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Where it was written:
Deuteronomy 21:
22 *And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
23 *His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God; ) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Also, like Job, make a covenant with your eyes. Refresh it daily ... multiple times daily if necessary.

Job 31:
1 *¶I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

This is all made difficult by the fact that we cannot go just about anywhere in the West and not be inundated with sex. Want to run in and grab a gallon of milk? There it is. Driving down the road and there's a billboard ... tee vee? Forget it! I only watch the news on tee vee but always have my finger on the "next new channel" button when commercials come on .... oh my goodness I can't believe what they show! arghhh .... Also, when I was a teenager (sixties), girls waited for a guy to call or approach them. There was an unpleasant name attached to the few that didn't. Today? whew ... I have six children ... four are married ... tenth grandchild due in about 2 weeks ... of the two not married, who came 12 and 15 years after the 4th, he is 16 and she is 13. My wife and I who thought that the days were immoral in the 70's and 80's are now thinking that those were the "good ol' days" for raising children. (Not really, but you catch my drift) Suffice it to say, today, girls are waaaay forward. What the "world" touted as "being set free", as usual, is leading to the worse sort of bondage. Unwanted pregnancies, STD's, etc. are rampant not to even mention the emotional wreckage lying along side the supposed "road to freedom". I praise God that the first 4 are married to godly spouses and are raising their children in Christian environments. My 16 year old is leaving on his first missions trip in two weeks and reads the Word and loves Christian music. Same for the 13 year old but she isn't going on a mission trip yet.

Sorry ... I just realized I digressed.

Bottom line? Determine in Christ, to keep you eyes on Him. (I love the book, "Pilgrim's Progress"! :)

Issachar

[Wally]

There are moments when not one foot is out the door and the world persues us like deer files. And like deer flies they leave a painful bite.

I would encourage us all to put on the defense (repellant) Prayer. Think of good and Holy things. Encourage each other. Watch our steps.

We homeschool and I see my children facing a dark world. It is by grace that we stand and God is able to make us stand. So keep your sword sharp (stay in God's word) and do not forsake fellowshiping with other believers even if it's only here on this board.

[Issachar]

We homeschool and I see my children facing a dark world. It is by grace that we stand and God is able to make us stand. So keep your sword sharp (stay in God's word) and do not forsake fellowshiping with other believers even if it's only here on this board. (underline and bold; mine) Wally, this is very good. We sent our children to a Christian school from '87 until a few years ago. With lost income and rising tuition, we opted to homeschool because gov't schools are not even an option for us. We wish we'd homeschooled sooner ... it's been great!

But the second part of your post I quoted and underlined and bolded is a key, imho. I believe, and say it as often as I can, that Christians MUST be in fellowship. We are headed into very dangerous times. What was merely "writing on the wall" is now being enacted. We NEED each other.

Issachar

[No2Flesh]

This is a valuable thread.
We live in a world/culture that is hyper-saturated with sex. Right up front I want to respond to someone's comment about marriage. Being married is not the cure for lust although healthy, normal relations with one's wife is extremely helpful. As we all know, we are born with flesh in a fallen state. The only thing it cares about is having itself satisfied by whatever it's current desire is. When it does not get it's way, it goes into a tantrum. The devil and his minions are ever present to encourage the flesh and somehow, always suggests that it "deserves" to have whatever it's current craving is. If single, the temptation is to believe that all would be well in this area if I just had a wife. If married, the temptation is "if she only wanted relations more often" or "well she is six or more months pregnant ..." or "she doesn't look nearly as good as when we were married", which is tough for guys sometimes because we were created so visually oriented. The "visual" thing about us is not a bad thing because God did that, but it's the fallen nature of man that makes his visualness (is that a word? :) ) go where it should not. I work part time tutoring math and electronics students at a local community college. Although the majority of women are dressed pretty much modestly, there is still a lot that don't have "modest" in their vocabulary. Back a few years ago I was praying these stupid, low cut pants would go out of style. Well, they've only gotten worse. :gaah

I hope that this does not sound trite, but the answer, as some have sort of already pointed out, is to "just say no". Everytime the flesh wants to look, don't. Each time the flesh will get weaker. Sometimes I think of the flesh as being a terrorist. Don't deal with terrorists. There is no compromise. Either the flesh gets all that it wants or it goes into a tizzy. "Too bad", I tell it. "You can just go hang on a tree".

Galatians 3:
13 *Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Where it was written:
Deuteronomy 21:
22 *And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
23 *His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God; ) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Also, like Job, make a covenant with your eyes. Refresh it daily ... multiple times daily if necessary.

Job 31:
1 *¶I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

This is all made difficult by the fact that we cannot go just about anywhere in the West and not be inundated with sex. Want to run in and grab a gallon of milk? There it is. Driving down the road and there's a billboard ... tee vee? Forget it! I only watch the news on tee vee but always have my finger on the "next new channel" button when commercials come on .... oh my goodness I can't believe what they show! arghhh .... Also, when I was a teenager (sixties), girls waited for a guy to call or approach them. There was an unpleasant name attached to the few that didn't. Today? whew ... I have six children ... four are married ... tenth grandchild due in about 2 weeks ... of the two not married, who came 12 and 15 years after the 4th, he is 16 and she is 13. My wife and I who thought that the days were immoral in the 70's and 80's are now thinking that those were the "good ol' days" for raising children. (Not really, but you catch my drift) Suffice it to say, today, girls are waaaay forward. What the "world" touted as "being set free", as usual, is leading to the worse sort of bondage. Unwanted pregnancies, STD's, etc. are rampant not to even mention the emotional wreckage lying along side the supposed "road to freedom". I praise God that the first 4 are married to godly spouses and are raising their children in Christian environments. My 16 year old is leaving on his first missions trip in two weeks and reads the Word and loves Christian music. Same for the 13 year old but she isn't going on a mission trip yet.

Sorry ... I just realized I digressed.

Bottom line? Determine in Christ, to keep you eyes on Him. (I love the book, "Pilgrim's Progress"! :)

Issachar


What a great post Issachar. Im sure to read this one quite a few times.
You sure do have a way with words brother. Im fired up after reading that.
I have 3 daughters, one is a teen. Like their mother they are all pretty.
Im all ears when it comes to ideas on how to keep them pure.
You already gave me some in this post, thank you.

The 1st thing I know is to lead by example, thats what God is helping me with now.

[Wally]

Get Involved
Set an Example
Listen, talk, give God's opinion (read the Bible)
Share your experiences
Apologize
Be Fair
Allow them to come to the conclusion.
Love each one 100%
Make a sacrifice that they may be blessed
Buy your daughters a rose on Valentines day.
Take your son fishing.
Find a game that they can win sometines, like chinese checkers
Shoot your TV or at least cut the cable.
Love their mother.

Most Important: Go to your secret place and pray for each child.

[Brokenjar]

I agree that marriage is not the cure for temptation. Often the only thing I can do is pray.

[raptureme]

Lust is a phyisical desire, God made man and women. Your desire is natural.

What's important is that you do not act on it or dwell on it in your mind, or use it as stimulating thought during masturbation.

Be strong, you have nothing to be guilty for as far as I can see.

Asking for another route isn't the answer, you can't control who will be on that. All you can control is your actions

[BondServant]

Lust is a phyisical desire, God made man and women. Your desire is natural.

What's important is that you do not act on it or dwell on it in your mind, or use it as stimulating thought during masturbation.

Be strong, you have nothing to be guilty for as far as I can see.

Asking for another route isn't the answer, you can't control who will be on that. All you can control is your actions

Amen.