How do I go about resisting the temptation to an immoral affair? Her advances are so seductive and I find myself enjoying the feeling of being desired. What should I do?
Dear Brother, Until I decided who I wanted to glorify in every aspect of life and living, I did not truly repent and turned from being a willing partner with my sin nature. You have heard all the disaster stories. You have read all the Scriptures concerning sin and the wages of sin. We all have. What has made the difference for me has been praying for the sin partner. Every time she/they come to mind, I stop and began to pray for them. I believe God knows ever action we will take before we do it. Praise God for grace and the Cross. The most important thing to God is what are you going to do now to glorify Him? When we truly are praying, the flesh is behind us and the spiritual connection is fresh, securing and stabilizing. If you cannot get there, I would suggest the problem is not your purity or temptation to sin. I suggest reviewing and reestablishing your personal relationship with God. When our first love relationship is secure, so will be our earthly. It took me 8 adulterous affairs, loss of wife and children, loss of ministry opportunities and all my financial accumulations before I was so broken to receive the counsel I have shared with you. I pray God's grace to sustain you and the glue of Jesus to hold your marriage and family while you transition to the next level of your love affair with God and His calling upon your life. It is time to get get excited, for your victory is at hand because this battle is the Lord's and you get to follow His lead!!! God bles you!!!
Ruining Your Life by: Anonymous
Brother,
Sexual immorality, infidelity, affairs, these things, will ruin your life, your wife, and your children, let alone your ministry. it will be scorched earth. I saw this so many times in ministry I can't even begin to tell you the damage this did. Ever seen a forest after a forest fire or pictures of Mt. St. Helen's after that volcano blew up? That will be your life.
Been there, done that by: Anonymous
RUN ...
I have the shame of an affair attached to my life. All because of the very same reasons you espoused to. But listen to me brother, RUN. Do not allow yourself to be alone with this woman or any woman who is not your wife. You need to set up strict boundries. Always have others present. I have made it a rule in my life now to NEVER be alone with any woman who isn't my wife. And not to discourage you but in my personal experience with this very issue, this sin (even the thoughts are sinful) were a direct result of me NOT following the greatest commandment. Love the LORD your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. My eyes were on what my flesh desired. Get your eyes back on the LORD brother. DO NOT DO THIS! You will be in a world of hurt if you do. No matter how your sinful mind tries to rationalize this, this sin destroys everything. Repent and seek refuge in the LORD right now. He holds out His hands. Do not try to fight this in your own strength. RUN FROM THIS SIN!!
Resist the devil..in a dress by: Anonymous
The grass is never greener on the other side PLUS you have a GOD to glorify and to face. These seductive spirits have bodies they use in every congregation so I don't want to burst your bubble but - you are not that special :). You are simply a target for downfall and tragedy. Draw closer to your wife, spend more valuable time with her, talk to her even about things like this- as a scenario and ask her what would her reaction be? My brother ...and I hope you are male because these days you never know! - PLEASE keep your eyes on the prize which is your high calling in Christ Jesus and your Family. Be that example that your congregation is looking for...submit yourself to GOD, resist the devil ..that's who is using her...and he will flee. God Bless!
Share with an accountability team by: Amos
There are three sources of strength in community you may not have claimed.
1) Your wife is your helpmate and your other half. This is not an issue to keep from her but something that is a challenge to both of you. Hiding this from her is not a positive choice. In gentle ways, recruit her as your supporter rather than use her as your confessor or rely only upon her strength. This is what you would want to do for her if there was a man approaching her.
2) You need to have an open and trusting relationship with a group of respected leaders in your congregation. These are the men and women who are mature in faith and understand the challenges of ordinary living as well as have some insight into the difficulties of parish leadership. If you have this group in place as soon as possible you need to call them into your confidence as a group and share this situation with them. Your honesty and trust early in this experience will more likely reap benefits in the long run.
3) By the same token, there are likely senior pastors in your denomination or community who can come alongside you and your wife, offering support and perspective in this difficult time. If you are part of a connectional denomination the regional leader should have your back in times like this. Again, a quick and honest report of the challenge is better than hiding it or deferring, hoping it will go away or that you can handle it successfully and alone.
Your experience is, unfortunately, not rare.
Love your wife by: Anonymous
As a pastor I know the temptations that will lurk around the corner, several times I have had women try to take me off course. The most important weapon is that your wife is the most beautiful lady in the world and no matter how beautiful and exciting the others may be, your covenant with your wife reflects your covenant you have with Jesus Christ. My dearest brother in no way do I bring comdemnation, but I do tell you sin will bring death.
resist temptation by: Anonymous
You are special and desired - by your wife your family your children and the Lord... God bless you my brother... stay the course this is the ugly devil dressed up like the woman of your dreams... pray and rebuke her for her advancements... you are holy... and desired by God. I love you...
