6 Ways to Flee Sexual Sin

“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life. To preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life. Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts” (Proverbs 6:24-35).

This is a disturbingly-practical paragraph on dealing with sexual sin in your life. Solomon, who knew well the dangers of sexual immorality and the challenge of being a one-woman man – because he wasn’t – gives us 6 pieces of counsel for living a pure life.

#1 – Receive the wise counsel you are given from the authorities in your life (vs. 20-23). Both the Word and parental figures are authorities for us as Christians and God places authority in our life to give us direction. He doesn’t waste His words for us. When an authority says, “Don’t go there,” we should heed their warning. When an authority says, “You are playing with fire,” there might already be smoke.

#2 – If it looks good, it probably isn’t (vs. 24). Sexual sin is alluring, which is why Solomon uses a term like “smooth.” We are quickly enticed and entertained by those things we know will bring us pleasure, and no doubt sexual sin can be one those things – even if the pleasure is temporary.

#3 – Don’t allow your imagination to run wild (vs. 25). We cannot always prohibit ourselves from seeing that Victoria Secrets model on a billboard or that immodestly dressed individual at work, but we can discipline our minds to think on those things that are pleasing to the Lord (Philippians 4:7-8). Imagining sexual sin that can lead to sexual captivity. When you are tempted to think on that, say to yourself, “No (insert your name), I will think on those things that are lovely, pure, true, etc.”

#4 – Ask yourself, “Am I willing to lose my family, my friends, maybe my job?” (vs. 26) Sexual sin has consequences because our sin almost always effects other people. Adultery may result in a lost marriage and estranged children. Fornication may lead to a broken friendship or church discipline. The momentary pleasure of sexual sin is not worth the exchange of damaged relationships.

#5 – Don’t believe you can “get away with it” (vs. 27-29, 32). Our sins always find us (Numbers 32:23). God sees all and knows all (Psalm 139). Sexual immorality can never truly be undiscovered. You may get away with hiding it from your spouse, but God will uncover it…eventually. It is foolish to think otherwise.

#6 – Sexual sins have a way of following you (vs. 33). Sure, Jesus forgives and will forgive the repentant sinner. But the stain of sexual sin will not go away quickly. You may always be that person who left his family to be with a younger woman. Even David saw consequences to his own sins long after he repented.