How do YOU deal with it?

[HAMel]

I would like to explore a topic that never seems to come up in polite company.

Specifically, I heard the story many years ago (perhaps just an industry story) of a particular group of Baptist who met for a convention of sorts. Most all attendees registered at the same hotel and after the "smoke cleared" hotel management was impressed with the profit generated from all the Pay-Per-View movies that were watched during this time.

We are all humans. My pastor mentioned that if you look once that's okay. If you looked the second time..., that's a sin. Well, could be. It's almost impossible to even visit the grocery store now-a-days without being inundated with more sights than the average man needs to see. The mega-stores are even worse. Goodness.

Recorded in 1 John 1:8, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Accordingly, we are all human(s) and these urges encompass both male and female believers so none of us are exempt.

I am old enough to realize that the mind is the second thing that goes and on occasion I can't remember what the first thing is..., but I am still plagued with the wandering eyes, the wandering heart and the mind even wanders on occasion. So it does with you. If you claim to be exempt then re-read 1 John 1:8.

We live in a very sinful world. There's a lot of kinky stuff out there. So, my question is this. How do YOU deal with it? I know many are going to say they pray about it..., but how do you really deal with it?

We all have addictions as we are all human. Someone addicted to alcohol can stay sober by not drinking..., how can one stay away from the enticements of the eye? I know..., don't look. But lets be real here.

 

[HankD]

We live in a very sinful world. There's a lot of kinky stuff out there. So, my question is this. How do YOU deal with it? I know many are going to say they pray about it..., but how do you really deal with it?

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.​

It's difficult to sin while you are reciting the word of God from your heart.​

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.​

Proverbs 3

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Am I perfect? No, that is why we have 1 John 1:9.​

1 John 3
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:
but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.​

I am glad I memorized so much of God's word in my youth.
It stuck a lot better in my mind then than now and those scriptures from my youth are still there today.​

HankD​

 

[HAMel]

HankD, I got 'ya, but do you recite these verses in your mind when exposed to the enticements? Do you look twice? Or do you gawk for a bit?

Well, to be perfectly honest with you, on occasion, I've looked twice and even gawked a few times. On occasion I've even wondered what the tail end of the tattoo looks like.

All I'm saying here is, I'm human and more often than not I'm caught off guard. Certainly not proud of it but..., I'm just wondering how some of you folks deal with it all.

...other than being kicked in the shin bone or jabbed in the ribs by someone named Janice.

 

[annsni]

I agree - renewing your mind is very important. Taking what was put into your mind and changing what you are thinking of and instead think on Christ and His Word. That makes a huge difference.

As does not taking that second look. I so appreciate my husband who turns his head and walks away if he sees a woman dressed provocatively. He also will do this when watching TV and having a commercial come on like the Victoria's Secret commercials.

 

[HAMel]

Good for him, annsni.

Yes, some TV Commercials are really over the top. In all reality I often just keep on going as I really don't care to give any signal of approval to the provocateur, if that's using the word properly. Often though it's so up in ones face it's hard to not notice.

Janice and I have been married going on 46 years and over that span I've been proposed to on three separate occasions but declined the offers. We got married for life. End of subject.

 

[HankD]

HankD, I got 'ya, but do you recite these verses in your mind when exposed to the enticements? Do you look twice? Or do you gawk for a bit?

Well, to be perfectly honest with you, on occasion, I've looked twice and even gawked a few times. On occasion I've even wondered what the tail end of the tattoo looks like.

All I'm saying here is, I'm human and more often than not I'm caught off guard. Certainly not proud of it but..., I'm just wondering how some of you folks deal with it all.

...other than being kicked in the shin bone or jabbed in the ribs by someone named Janice.

Yes, I think of these passages and change the channel while doing so.

But, also yes, you are not alone, I have on occassion lingered too long.
1 John 1:9 is our refuge.

It is not so much fleshy lust but of greater weight in my little world it is dependence upon adamic thinking in the realm of problem solving that trips me up so often:

Proverbs 3

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.​

HankD

 

[gb93433]

I find that if my time alone with God is good then temptations do not seem to be so enticing.

 

[Jon-Marc]

That pastor who said it's OK to look once apparently thinks it's OK to sin once. With that thinking it's OK for me to lust once, to view porn on the Internet once, to tell a lie once, and it's only sin if you do it the second time.

I remember a saying many years ago that "It's only sin if you think it is."

 

[freeatlast]

I would like to explore a topic that never seems to come up in polite company.

Specifically, I heard the story many years ago (perhaps just an industry story) of a particular group of Baptist who met for a convention of sorts. Most all attendees registered at the same hotel and after the "smoke cleared" hotel management was impressed with the profit generated from all the Pay-Per-View movies that were watched during this time.

We are all humans. My pastor mentioned that if you look once that's okay. If you looked the second time..., that's a sin. Well, could be. It's almost impossible to even visit the grocery store now-a-days without being inundated with more sights than the average man needs to see. The mega-stores are even worse. Goodness.

Recorded in 1 John 1:8, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Accordingly, we are all human(s) and these urges encompass both male and female believers so none of us are exempt.

I am old enough to realize that the mind is the second thing that goes and on occasion I can't remember what the first thing is..., but I am still plagued with the wandering eyes, the wandering heart and the mind even wanders on occasion. So it does with you. If you claim to be exempt then re-read 1 John 1:8.

We live in a very sinful world. There's a lot of kinky stuff out there. So, my question is this. How do YOU deal with it? I know many are going to say they pray about it..., but how do you really deal with it?

We all have addictions as we are all human. Someone addicted to alcohol can stay sober by not drinking..., how can one stay away from the enticements of the eye? I know..., don't look. But lets be real here.

You are making assumptions and excuses that you cannot support. To say everyone is in this boat is wrong. Yes many are, but it is not because they have to be. As long as we hold a defeated mindset we will never be able to overcome. In fact most will not even put forth the effort. The issue is not with the eyes or the mind. The issue is with the heart. First off what is happening is because of choice, not because we are impotent.

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].

Second there is a remedy if we will just take it.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

If you had cancer of the eye would you pluck it out to save the other eye? If you had flesh eating bacteria of the hand would you cut it off to save the arm and body? The same with sin. Unless we are willing to take drastic actions in our lives, sin will master us. So we do have to pray, but not that they Lord stop our lusts. He has already given us everything pertaining to godliness. We just have to decide if we will use what he has given.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Our prayers need to be of confession for loving our sin more then loving our Lord. We have to take full responsibility for our sins, and not hold that we have no recourse but to sin. All sin comes about because of a choice or choices we have made. Until we are willing to accept our responsibility for our actions we can not expect the cure. This old satanic mindset, "we all sin every day" will leave the believer defeated. Until we are willing to make the effort to make it through at least one day without sin we will not overcome the sin that plagues us.

So the answer is to stop the excuses and stop the defeated mindset.
[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 

[HAMel]

You are making assumptions and excuses that you cannot support.

FAL, perhaps 50% of what I say is the result of assumptions on my part. As stated in my opening line, "I would like to explore a topic that never seems to come up in polite company".

"To say everyone is in this boat is wrong." is a given. There is an exceptions to every rule.

So let me ask you this. Which is the worst sin? Looking (twice) at a skimpy clad female in the grocery store or not telling the cashier she gave you a dollar too much back in change?

Even as believers we have to deal with that curse from the old nature that flares up from time to time. To me, Sin is like a gravity that pulls on all of us all the time and affects everyone.

Personally, and let me say again, personally, I sin and fall on a daily basis. As stated, I am of the opinion that we all do. No assumption here as none of us are perfect.

Being able to admit..., publicly, that I have my weaknesses is good therapy..., for me. No excuse here. I'm just human.

In any church you can often find the "Have's" sitting on the right. The "Have Not's" sitting on the left. The self-righteous up front. The humble sitting somewhere in the middle and those infamous Back Seat Baptist who always sit in the last pews. You know where I coming from here?

Wait a minute. Aren't we all the same in the Kingdom of God? Were we not all lost sinners at one time? Aren't we all still burdened with this constant onslaught of sin? Of course we are. Yes, there is a way out as provided in scripture.

On occasion I look twice but if I'm given too much change back I'll immediately bring it to the attention of the cashier as she is the one who might end up getting fired. Each of us have our weaknesses. With many professing Christians they stumble over money, or gossip, or jealously, ego, self-importance..., none are exempt from sin.

 

[Tater77]

On the bright side, if this is the worse sin you have to deal with you should feel lucky. After all, you could be murderer, rapist, thief, pedophile, etc etc etc. You know, a real criminal type.

Why do people harp on the little sins and totally forget about the big ones? And always the obsession with sex. Just be thankful your not a murderer and such is all I'm saying. You know , the whole "It could be worse" scenario.

 

[HAMel]

Tater, except for the Grace of God I could be doing life without parole, for just cause. I am truly thankful.

 

[Old Union Brother]

I understand what you are saying HAMel. As I go through the grocery store I am constantly turning magazines around. I seem to always go back to the scripture that Paul wrote:

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I truly believe we all have to deal with the thorn in the flesh daily. It is very arrogant for us to think that we are above sin. Paul wrote:

Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

He couldn't get above it neither can we. I am constantly in prayer.

 

[Winman]

This is a sin common to men, we have the examples of David and Bathsheba, Solomon and his many wives and concubines, Samson and Delilah...
I agree we have to constantly confess our sin and ask God to create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us as David prayed (Psa 51:10).
For me, I have tried to analyze where these sinful temptations originate, and I have concluded that TV is often the culprit. TV not only shows us beautiful women, but the dialogue is often sexual in nature as well. For this reason I rarely watch TV anymore, and I haven't been to the movies as well. I have found this helpful.
As for that first glance, that is natural, that is what our flesh does. It is the second glance or lingering that is sin. This may sound silly, but I pray and ask the Lord to give me a quick mind, a mind that will remember his word immediately. Then I quickly remember it is sin and look away. And as FAL said, it takes effort on our part. You have to consciously avoid temptation. I heard a preacher once say it is easier to AVOID temptation than RESIST it. That is true. If you don't watch that movie with sexual content, that is easier than looking away when it shows a beautiful woman right before your eyes. Isn't that so?
The fact that this concerns you is good, it shows the Spirit dwells in you and is convicting you of sin. Bless the Lord who gives us his Spirit!

 

[HankD]

This is a sin common to men, we have the examples of David and Bathsheba, Solomon and his many wives and concubines, Samson and Delilah...
I agree we have to constantly confess our sin and ask God to create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us as David prayed (Psa 51:10).
For me, I have tried to analyze where these sinful temptations originate, and I have concluded that TV is often the culprit. TV not only shows us beautiful women, but the dialogue is often sexual in nature as well. For this reason I rarely watch TV anymore, and I haven't been to the movies as well. I have found this helpful.
As for that first glance, that is natural, that is what our flesh does. It is the second glance or lingering that is sin. This may sound silly, but I pray and ask the Lord to give me a quick mind, a mind that will remember his word immediately. Then I quickly remember it is sin and look away. And as FAL said, it takes effort on our part. You have to consciously avoid temptation.
The fact that this concerns you is good, it shows the Spirit dwells in you and is convicting you of sin. Bless the Lord who gives us his Spirit!

Amen winman, glad we can agree on something.

HankD

 

[HAMel]

The fact that this concerns you is good, it shows the Spirit dwells in you and is convicting you of sin. Bless the Lord who gives us his Spirit!

Winman, you are correct. On occasion I have a problem with this. Other areas of my life, such as one believer might have a problem with greed..., or another with gossip, I don't. We all have our little quirks and yes, where does it come from? Or, better yet, what allows me to not have a problem with greed or gossip but fall for taking that second look?

What makes one want to be a CPA while another wants to play baseball? I guess this would be a dull world if we all sold Amway.

 

[Mike Stidham]

As for that first glance, that is natural, that is what our flesh does. It is the second glance or lingering that is sin. This may sound silly, but I pray and ask the Lord to give me a quick mind, a mind that will remember his word immediately. Then I quickly remember it is sin and look away.

That's the difference. There's looking and there's gawking. Your eyes might light upon something...but if you KEEP looking...

I have the same problem. It's even worse when you're single.

 

[Amy.G]

Oops. Wrong thread.

 

[Winman]

Oops. Wrong thread.

Are you sure Amy?

Just kidding! :tongue3:

Women do not seem to have much problem with this. I heard a preacher once say that man's greatest weakness was women, but woman's greatest weakness was gossip. I disagree, I believe woman's greatest weakness is

SHOPPING!

:tongue3: :tongue3: :tongue3:

 

[Amy.G]

Are you sure Amy?

Just kidding! :tongue3:

Women do not seem to have much problem with this. I heard a preacher once say that man's greatest weakness was women, but woman's greatest weakness was gossip. I disagree, I believe woman's greatest weakness is

SHOPPING!

:tongue3: :tongue3: :tongue3:

WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!

You know what they say.....one can never have too many shoes, too many purses, or too much jewelry! I have tried to live up to that!