Dr. Linda Helps - Overcoming sexual temptation is not easy in our society.

8 Tips to Overcoming Sexual Temptation:

1. Know what the Bible has to say about sex outside of the covenant of marriage. The Bible is your standard. The culture does not determine your sexual behavior. You do. Your choices need to be based on Scripture.

2. Remove sources of sexual temptation. Temptation is not a sin but acting on the temptation is. If you find yourself lustfully fantasizing and engaging in behavior you know to be morally wrong, identify the things that are dragging you down. Then remove them as sources of temptation.

3. Purpose in your heart to follow God's Word. Don't be ruled by passion. No matter what you feel, act with your brain and not your emotions. Scripture is clear that sexual behavior is always subject to the will.

4. Renew your thoughts. Think on things that are noble, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).

5. Don't put yourself in places to be tempted. In the same way that a recovered alcoholic wouldn't go sit in a bar, don't put yourself in a place that makes resistance tough (e.g., go to X rated movies, visit a strip joint, hang out in bars, etc.). When Satan tempted Eve, she engaged him in conversation. Instead of telling him to go crawl somewhere else, she entertained his conversation. We all know the outcome of her choice!

6. Speak God's Word as a form of resistance. When Satan came to Jesus, Jesus' defense was to speak the Word. Satan did not argue with Scripture and left. Know and memorize scriptures.

7. Don't lie to yourself. Most of us think we can handle a lot more sexually explicit material then we can. We aren't aware of the subtle influence and desensitization that goes on by regular exposure. We are lulled into thinking we are above these influences. If you are human, you are not!

8. Keep your walk with the Lord strong. Spend time in prayer and be intimately connected to your heavenly Father. You have a covenant with Him. When you are weak, He is strong. Most of us give in to temptation when our daily walk is not strong. Difficult times come when we get out of fellowship with God. He doesn't leave us. We stop relating to Him. Stay connected.

Dr. Mintle – author, professor, Approved Supervisor and Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – is a speaker and media personality, as well as a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years in psychotherapy practice.

For more articles and information, visit Dr. Linda Mintle's Web site.