I need prayer for a temptation I've been facing. I keep throwing myself at the throne of our Lord, but this temptation seems so strong and continues to envelope my mind with its seducing lies.
I've sought out much prayer and feel extrememly weak. I keep asking the Lord to deliver me from my thoughts, but my flesh seeks exactly the opposite.
Thank you so much for your ministry and your obedience to Christ. Thank you for your transparency which even brought me here in the first place. May God continue to use you and fill you and lead you. In Christ,
Diane

Hello Diane,

It seems appropriate on Independence Day to talk of independence from the strongholds that creep into our lives. The stronghold of temptation is perhaps the greatest for the Christian, as we can partake in the silent, invisible sin while in the midst of our family and friends. Your words are so correct, the tempation is strong and envelops our minds with seducing lies.

I like the way the Apostle Paul approached combating with strongholds in our lives in 2 Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 10
1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds

5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.


Our prayers are with you Diane. Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ is the key, yet many times we have purposed in our hearts to do this, and only a short while later, the thought creeps in again, and again. We learn that casting down imaginations is a continuous process but we also know that eventually, He who lies within us is greater than he who torments us with such temptations. God bless you on this Indepedence Day.

Nick P.

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Good word Nick.
I will pray for you Diane.


(1 John 4:3-4)3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Thank you Nick and Shawn for your replies. I have been seeking the Lord and lots of prayer. I have also set up accountability for myself. However, it seems that each time I try to run away, he chases after me, and in my flesh, sometimes I chase him too. In the meantime, of course, my husband and I are continuously struggling (this has been going on for over 1 year). I keep throwing myself before the throne of Christ, begging for deliverance. Some moments I seem so strong and then bam!! Another thought. I take every thought captive, yet I feel so weak and embarrassed and guilty all at the same time... I'm sorry to keep going on and on, but I am desperate for prayer and continuous wise counsel... Thank you for listening..

In Christ,
Diane

Hello Diane,

Of course we will keep praying for you.

The Apostle Paul provides excellent instruction on how to handle temptation. In 2 Timothy, Paul writes:

2 Timothy 2:19-22

19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.



Simply, God see temptations such as lust as temptations of the will. We must flee these temptations. A wonderful application of this is seen in Genesis, when Joseph is tempted by Potifar's wife:

Genesis 39:7-12

7And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

8But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.



Diane, as Joseph did, you must flee the flirtations and temptations of your friend to preserve your marriage. It is very flattering to know that we are and can be desired by someone else. Such is the nature of temptations, as they play with the carnal mind. We cannot dance with these thoughts if victory is to be realized over the sin. The more you engage in tempting thoughts and conversation with your friend, the closer you move to advancing the temptation to the next destructive level.

Your struggles with your husband make you weaker to the advances of a man who would destroy your marriage. When we are drawn to another through temptation, our attentions to our spouse are diverted as well. We cannot be as attentive, loving, compassionate, and patient as we should be when our minds are fixed on an affair of the mind. Additionally, I imagine you have become super critical of all of your husbands faults during this time and this only makes the divide between you and him deeper. He likely senses you are slipping away and this makes him angry and jealous for your attentions at the same time.

The issues that divide your marriage will not be healed until you end your relationship with your friend. When we seek direction for our lives, God's Word will always provide the correct answer for us. Being obedient to His direction is sometimes extremely difficult but necessary if we are to live a victorious life over the wiles of the enemy who seeks to destroy us.

Nick P.

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Nick -

That is a good word my brother.

Diane -

Having been on the opposite end of this (i.e. my spouse cheated on me which lead to our divorce)I would ask you to consider if your friend is actually a "friend" in the truest sense of the word. Would a friend try to destroy something you had? Would a friend take you and many others to a place that will bring much pain and suffering?

My encouragement is the same as Paul gave to Timothy, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." You cannot to do this all on your own You need the power of God's grace that comes only from staying in Him and through the Holy Spirit.

Know that I will be praying for you and your husband. My heart breaks for you. But God will see you through this if you choose to stay the course with Him.

He loves you!

Howie

Dear Howard and Nick,
Thank you again for taking the time to hear my heart and to answer in truth. I continue to go to the Lord in obedience, and you are correct, I need to cut off all conversations with him. He is very close to my son, but I know in my heart, as my spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit, that I can do better than I have.
I was good all day yesterday and today..We haven't talked at all.
My heart longs desperately to speak with him, but I am choosing Christ and choosing to take my thoughts captive.
If he calls, and I pray he doesn't, I don't know how strong I will be, but I will try.
Thank you so much for lifting me up in prayer. I'm sure you have a million other things you could be doing besides praying for someone you don't even know. Thank you for your sincere love in Christ.
Your Sister in Christ,
Diane

P.S.-Howard. I'm sorry you had to go through what you did. Thank you for using your painful experience to minister to me. May God be glorified. I will pray for you as well...
Diane

Hi- It's me, Diane.. It's been about 7 months since I wrote you asking for prayer and counsel. I just want to give you an update and let you know that the Lord carried me through the temptation of an affair. Your prayers and counsel were truly appreciated.

A couple of weeks after I wrote you, my accountability person approached me in love and confronted me about what was going on.Had it not been for his boldness, I'm sure I would have continued down the path of destruction.

With all glory given to God, I want to share that God does give us a way out of temptation. It is our choice to choose the way out or not.

I chose the way out, but not as soon as I should have, and I would add, not in my own strength. My flesh wanted desperately to give into the temptation of lust.

I ended up confessing my thoughts and actions to my husband and have relied on the Lord to repair the broken trust between my husband and I.

Final word: Satan masks sin so seductively, but the end result is always destruction. Life lived in obedience to Jesus Christ will always bear fruit and abundant life.

Thank you Jesus for Your great love and salvation and for freeing me from the entanglement of sin. And thank you brothers and sisters in Christ for lifting me up in my hour of need!! God bless you..
Diane

Diane,

May the Lord bless you for your testimony and encouragement to set our face upon the right path. He is the light that shows us the way to walk. I pray you and your husband will become more united in your renewed commitment to one another and your love will grow stronger every day.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Chelki

Diane -

I praise God for your testimony. God is good and He is faithful. Stay strong in Him and keep on doing what you know is right.

I also encourage you thought to not let your guard down. Satan is always searching to and fro seeking whom he may devour.

God never wastes a hurt Diane. He will use this and you can too by sharing this wonderful testimony with others.

The journey of restoration and reconcilation has begun for you both. It is a long and hard one, but nothing is impossible for God and those who love Him with their heart, mind, soul and strength.

Please continue to keep us posted and know that God is own your side and we are all praying for you too!

Howie

Praise God! Thank you for sharing this Diane! I will pray as well that God will continue to heal your relationship with your husband.