Welcome to FiwiVoice.com

By Kaysia Anderson

Part I – Tempted to Touch
There is a certain topic that Christians seem not to talk about or talk about publicly. On the other hand, the non-Christians are always talking about it. It’s in the papers, on the television, in the Music, on the radio, in the email forwards (not throwing any corns here) and even in their conversations. It’s as if everything revolves around these three letters. That topic is SEX.

The word might be small but its meaning and implications are far reaching. There are many temptations that beset men and women alike, but sex is by far, the greatest and most powerful temptation for some Christians. Non-Christians don’t have as big a problem with it as indulging is the norm; to the world, nothing is wrong with doing it. However, Christians are constantly struggling with this small three letter word. The word is little but it ‘tallawah’!

Every Christian knows what the Bible says about sex. We are all aware of the Bible’s stance on the matter namely that fornication is a sin; that the body is the temple of God; that we should present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him; not to lust; don’t get caught up in sexual acts and the list goes on. We know the scriptures but that does not stop us from being tempted or even indulging.

Also, we are aware that temptation is not a sin. The sin comes about by indulging. Despite this, we constantly struggle, we wrestle with it. We refuse to talk about it because we feel that we shouldn’t be struggling with it and we consider what people would think of us if they knew our thoughts and actions.

Regardless, we are sexual beings and we’ll forever be tempted. Men and women do have similar urges but maybe a man’s urges are more intense than the female’s (just speculating). If the male was sexually active before he came to know Christ, he is even more aware of the pleasure (even though its sin) that is associated with sex. From what I have gathered, ‘release’ from the perspective of the male, is ‘to die for’- the next best thing in their view of heaven. For some females, sex is not what it’s all about and so can be lived without and some of us do have a better handle on how to cope when these urges kick in.

Now, the temptation to satisfy the flesh is very powerful but in Romans 12:1 we are urged “… present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Knowing the verse is great but actually living it is another matter altogether. The problem with us ‘presenting our bodies as living sacrifices’ is the fact that, ‘we can move’, meaning that, we can actually walk away from the altar. Sacrifices being offered to God in the Old Testament were usually dead, so they could not crawl off the altar. We as living sacrifices on the other hand can move, jump and ‘screechy’ off the altar and we usually do, especially when the motivation to do so is very inviting! Sometimes we are tempted to allow our bodies to get the better of us and sin against God and ourselves. The struggle sometimes, gives way to deceit and defeat.

Part 2- Fighting Temptation

A friend of mine is currently struggling with the urge to indulge. He knows that it is wrong but the feeling/urge is just so great. He said that before he became a Christian, he was sexually active. With the help of God however, he has succeeded thus far in his fight against returning to his old habits and has been resisting temptation. The temptation for him is so overpowering that at times, he has come so close to giving in, but the great thing is; he has not. He’s struggling but the Lord is still keeping him and will forever keep him. For him, Matthew 26:41 is a reality, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing (to obey), but the flesh is weak”.

Fighting temptation can feel like struggling for breath. It’s also like walking on the white line in the middle of the road, all the time trying not to go to the left or the right of the road. Staying on that narrow white strip they call a line is really difficult! The temptation seems always to be in your face and doing the right thing is too much of a struggle. At the time you are most vulnerable, an opportunity to indulge is always present. Such a setup for you to fail! The important thing to know is “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).

If, in the struggle he falls, he will be disappointed in himself but he will not allow the devil to keep him down and believing that he should go to hell. Oh no! It’s just another way of testifying about God’s grace and mercy that saved us. We all know that God is compassionate and it is not His will that any of us should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Prayer and repentance is not an option for a child of God but a lifestyle!

Therefore, in the face of temptation, never think that ‘giving in’ is the only choice you have. God will allow the enemy to tempt us but never to hurt us. God promises that even if there seems to be no way out, indeed there is as He knows what we can endure and He will never give us more than we can manage. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Climbing out of the pit of temptation is not easy but it can be done. With God’s help, you can have the victory. There might be pain and anguish in your heart, mind and body when refusing to partake in temptation but overcoming temptation is a treasure for your soul. Nothing is impossible with God. (Philippians 13:11)