One of the first things my Christian counselor told me years back when I sought her help to break free from my sex addiction was that I would never be successful if my focus was on controlling body parts and hormones. Why? You will not succeed, she told me, because the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the devil and his evil forces. And, she told me, you don’t have a chance to win that battle in your own strength, because the devil is smarter and stronger than you are and has thousands of years of experience working his schemes and bringing mortals like you down to destruction.
Before seeking her help, I had for years, and years tried to muster up the will power and follow-through to stop my sexual sins. And there were times when I would be “clean” for months and longer. But I would always eventually give in to my lusts and end up right back where I was before. I could never sustain any meaningful length of sobriety. I was bound up in my sexual immorality and could not break free – like a prisoner in jail.
The will power thing wasn’t working for me and continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results is, I am told, the definition of insanity. I eventually came to believe that I needed to give up trying to make the change by my own power, and instead let God make the change in his power. But how does that work; how do I let God make the change?
Part of the answer, I discovered, is in the book of Ephesians in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. Here, the Apostle Paul, who wrote this letter, tells me: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Eph 6:13, ESV)
What is this armor that I need to stand firm against the devil? Paul answers this question in the verses immediately following his admonition to put on God’s armor:
Finally, Paul urges me to always pray in the Spirit for myself and for others (vv. 6:18-20). To pray always means to be alert and to persevere in ongoing communion with God. To pray in the Spirit means to ask the Holy Spirit to translate the thoughts and words of my prayer so that when it reaches God, God hears what’s important. To pray for myself and for others means that God does not intend for me to be a lone soldier in the battle against evil; rather, I support and encourage others as they support and encourage me through prayer (vv. 6:18-20).
If you want to overcome the devil and his evil forces (extraordinary opponents), focus foremost on truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer (extraordinary measures).
Copyright © 2021 by Training for Transformation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Can the Bible be Trusted?
Alicia W. Patterson, MA Religion, Confluence Grief and Loss Coaching and Consulting
11/19/2024
Do You Know My Jesus?
Mo Dotson, Founder/Director, Mo’ Better Living Ministries™
11/4/2024
Completing Your Past
Dr James H Dotson Jr
6/28/2024
Confronting the Realities of Pre-Marital Sex: Part 3—Transformed
Donna Cameron, PhD
5/3/2024
Confronting the Realities of Pre-Marital Sex: Part 2—Frustrated
Donna Cameron, PhD
4/26/2024
Confronting the Realities of Pre-Marital Sex: Part 1—Tangled
Donna Cameron, PhD
4/19/2024
Evil—Part 3: How Do I Live With Bad Stuff?
Dr James H Dotson Jr
12/17/2023
Evil—Part 2: Why Doesn't God Stop Bad Stuff From Happening?
Dr James H Dotson Jr
11/7/2023
Evil—Part 1: Why Does Bad Stuff Happen?
Dr James H Dotson Jr
10/23/2023
In the Midst of Life’s Realities - the Good and the Bad - What Keeps Me Going?
Dr James H Dotson Jr
6/27/2023
Teen Dating Part 1: 7 Tips for Young Gentlemen
Dr James H Dotson Jr
6/5/2023
Teen Dating Part 2: 7 Tips for Young Ladies
Dr James H Dotson Jr
6/5/2023
Does Forgiveness Cancel Accountability and Consequences?
Dr James H Dotson Jr
2/24/2023
Joy
Dr James H Dotson Jr
1/22/2023
Be Alert!!!
Dr James H Dotson Jr
1/7/2023
Where Are You Going?
Dr James H Dotson Jr
12/16/2022
Breaking the Chains
Dr James H Dotson Jr
10/21/2022
The Renewing of My Mind—Part 3
Dr James H Dotson Jr
8/27/2022
The Renewing of My Mind—Part 2
Dr James H Dotson Jr
8/21/2022
The Renewing of My Mind—Part 1
Dr James H Dotson Jr
8/16/2022
What In The World Is Going On? — Part 2
Dr James H Dotson Jr
8/6/2022
What In The World Is Going On? — Part 1
Dr James H Dotson Jr
8/6/2022
A Gift We Cherish or A Gift We Abuse?
Dr James H Dotson Jr
1/14/2022
Caught in the Very Act
Dr James H Dotson Jr
1/7/2022
Daniel's Resolve
The Professor
12/31/2021
A Distorted View of Manliness
Dr James H Dotson Jr
12/24/2021
Breaking the Cycle of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Dr James H Dotson Jr
12/17/2021
We Can Win!!! We Have Won!!!
Dr James H Dotson Jr
12/10/2021
Help for Victims of Sexual Abuse
Dr James H Dotson Jr
12/4/2021
Extraordinary Opponents, Require Extraordinary Measures
Dr James H Dotson Jr
12/3/2021
Journey to Transformation
Dr James H Dotson Jr
9/11/2021