NIGERIA: THRIVING IN TOUGH AND CHALLENGING TIMES

- Written by Gavin Aleogho
 
I was somewhere some days back where some people were discussing the state of our nation. The discussion unveiled the fact that crime rate has increased, especially the crime of stealing. Some parents are pushing their daughters into prostitution in the bid to survive; others are encouraging their sons to go into fraud.
 
The high cost of foodstuffs and hunger in the land are doing a lot more harm to our society, than anyone can imagine. The high cost of common foodstuffs like rice, beans, and garri is frightening. Do we talk about the cost of cooking gas and other basic amenities? Sadly, there is no indication that the economy will be stable soonest. Money is failing right before our eyes. Huge amounts of our naira have very little purchasing power.
 
I left that scene with great sadness in my heart, more than what I have ever felt since the inception of the new phase of hardship in the land. I felt a deep grief in my spirit. This grief was coupled with fear and mixed feelings. My heart literally came under attack.
 
The thought of how my relatives, brethren, friends, and family members are faring in this season, took hold of me. As a Pastor of a local Church that has a list of some widows and less privilege that we reach out to once in a while, you can understand my feelings.
 
My thoughts and feelings made me forget that we are living in an unstable world that is destined to fail and get more difficult. For the scripture says, “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear].”
2 Timothy 3:1 AMP.
 
When I took the burden to the secret place, then the Holy Spirit whispered the following words into my spirit, "NOW (in Nigeria) the JUST must live by faith. Applying the Word and believing God for miraculous supply."
 
I remember that one of the references to that statement is found in the book of Hebrews that reads, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Hebrews 10:38-39.
 
Based on what the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, I can deduce four important points.
 
4 KEYS TO THRIVE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
 
1. Have faith in God
 
This is not a time to lose faith in God. This is not a time to be unserious in your walk with the Lord. Rather, this is a time to believe in God like never before, for incredible miracles and supernatural supply. For it is from God, all blessings flow; even in challenging times.
 
God is still releasing His blessings.
God is still lifting people.
God is still raising men
God is still helping families
And the Lord will definitely help you this season, in Jesus name.
 
2. Apply the Word
 
At such a time as this, there is this tendency for people to start breaking God’s law and the principles of the kingdom of God in their bid to survive. In the book of 2 Kings 6:24-30, women began to eat up their own children because of the hardship in the land.
 
Beloved, this is not a time to break God's law or cut corners in the bit to make ends meet. It is not a time to start stealing, cheating, lying, becoming stingy, or oppressing others. Such evil practices will make you forfeit the help of God.
 
One thing I have discovered is that God's word always works. The principles of the kingdom always produce results in whatever season you find yourself in.
 
The principle of giving always works. The principles of living a holy and righteous life always work. So is the kingdom principle of honour, love, labour, truthfulness, honesty, integrity, and mercy, as well as the principle of seeking first the kingdom.
 
These principles of the Kingdom always work, even in times of economic hardship.
  
3. Be sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit
 
Yielding to the dealings and leadings of the Holy Spirit at any given time will always give you an advantage in life. For every leading of God is for your advantage, profit, glorification, and exaltation.
 
The scripture recorded in Genesis chapter 26, that there was famine in the land and Isaac intended to “Japa” (run away) to Egypt, for Egypt was the happening nation then. But God instructed Isaac to stay back in Gerar. The story has it that Isaac yielded to God’s leading, and he greatly prospered in that same land of Gerar.
 
What is God leading you to do?
 
Is He leading you to change your business?
Is He leading you to change location?
Is He leading you to give?
Is He leading you to leave your job and start your own business?
Is He leading you to leave what you are doing to do His work?
 
Know this:
God will never lead you to shame.
God will never lead you to suffer loss.
God will never lead you to failure.
Every of God’s leadings is a setup for your lifting.
 
4. Keep doing the right thing
 
After God told Isaac to stay in the land of Gerar, Isaac got himself engaged in productive labour; doing the right thing. For the Bible says that:
 
“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.”
Genesis 26:12-14
 
You can see that before Isaac received a great harvest and became great, He sowed in that same land. If you really believe in God, you will keep doing what is right. You will keep putting your best to your endeavour while you trust God, the Rewarder (not your employer, client or man) to reward you awesomely.
 
In summary, to thrive in this tough and challenging time:
 
Don’t stop sowing.
Don't stop giving.
Don't stop helping the poor.
Don't stop sharing.
Don't stop showing mercy.
Don't stop seeking first the kingdom of God.
Don't stop yielding to the leading of God's Spirit.
Don't stop praying
Don’t stop developing yourself.
Don't stop giving value.
Don't stop putting your best to your endeavour.
Don't stop believing God for an incredible supernatural supply.
 
This is the way to stay on top and ride on your high places despite the challenging time in this season.
 
I pray for you, you shall not sink this season. Rather, just like Isaac prospered in the midst of famine, I pray that you shall rise and experience an increase in all ramifications, in Jesus name.

THIS IS WHY YOUR FAITH IS WEAK AND INEFFECTIVE

 
- By Gavin Aleogho
 
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6 KJV
 
One of the struggles of most Christians is in the area of faith. Many believers are still struggling to exercise faith in God, despite the fact that they’ve been in the faith for a long time.
 
One of the reasons for this problem is that a lot of people are yet to come to a full understanding of God’s love for them. For the more you know that God loves you, the more you are confident to exercise faith in God. When you are firmly established in the love that God has for you, your faith in God will become strong, producing results.
 
A lot of people know that God loves them. But such knowledge is only theoretical; it is not experiential knowledge. You must bring yourself to the level where you know beyond reasonable doubt that God loves you. You must accept and embrace God’s love. It is only an experiential knowledge of God’s love that can boost your faith.
 
When you are able to embrace the full measure of God’s love, you won’t have a problem exercising faith in God. Then, it won’t matter to you what the challenges or situation is, you will be rest assured that the God who loves you will take care of the situation.
 
This is my counsel to you. Instead of spending time studying faith, I will counsel you to, first of all, take time studying the love that God has for you. Then you will be able to understand the subject of faith better. A diligent study on the subject of faith without accurate knowledge of the love of God will make your faith ineffective.
 
The major reason why we easily lose faith in God is simply because we are yet to be firmly established in the love that God has for us. We don’t understand the depth of God’s love for us. However, when we know that God loves us beyond any doubt, our faith becomes stronger, even in the face of obstacles and the challenges of life.
 
You have to get yourself to the point where you know that God really loves you. If you can bring yourself to understand the depth of God’s love, you will not have a problem with the issue of faith.
 
Presently, this is how I live my life. Despite the happenings around me, I am not moved. It was not like this some years ago. Is it because I have suddenly developed faith? Not really! I have had faith right from when I gave my life to Christ, more than 25 years ago. For everyone who is born again is impacted with a measure of faith by God (Romans 12:3c).
 
Sadly, my faith was not strong enough to believe God in those days. This is because I was ignorant of how much God loves me. Yes, I knew that God loved me “theoretically,” but it was not practical or experiential.
 
And not until I begin to understand the depth of God’s love for me (I am not talking about God’s love for you or the world, but a personal love of God for me, Gavin Aleogho). Not until then, my faith was weak and ineffective.
 
Praise God, now I have come to know that God loves me and that He is very mindful of me. It is a discovery that is still ongoing, though. The thought of God’s love alone has helped me to boost my faith in God. There won’t be faith if love is absent. We can only have faith because there is a God who loves us.
 
My beautiful daughter, EtseOghena, is very confident in the fact that I and her mom love her. Even though she sometimes makes ridiculous requests, which we often turn down, she still believes that if we really want to meet her request, we will do that. Even when we say no to her request, she believes that we have a cogent reason for our decision.
 
I said all this to let you know the degree of trust that our daughter has in us. She does not doubt the fact that we love her.
 
Does my daughter need to go and study more about faith to get something from me?
 
No.
 
As a matter of fact, as it stands today, my daughter, who is just 7, does not understand the concept of faith. But the fact that she knows that I love her settles all that faith is needed for. This is how God, your Father, wants you to relate with Him.
 
EtseOghena usually asks me for things with confidence that I will give her what she needs.
 
What is fueling her confidence to ask me?
 
Is it because she has “big” faith?
 
No.
 
At her age, she doesn't even know what faith is.
 
Etse’s confidence to ask is simply because she knows that her father loves her.
I am using this illustration to show you how vital LOVE is and how it can help your faith become strong and effective.
 
The fact that I love EtseOghena directly fuels her confidence (faith) that I will respond positively to her.
 
In the same vein, when it comes to trusting God to intervene in our lives, we don’t need more faith but more knowledge of God’s love. The more you grow in the fact that God loves you, the more your faith grows and becomes strong in the Lord.
 
If you can settle it in your heart that God loves you, you will not have a problem trusting Him to intervene in your life. If you have a deep revelation of God’s love for you, you won’t be perturbed by the happenings around you. You will be confident in the fact that because God loves you, He will definitely intervene in the situation you are going through. For the more of God’s love we are established in, the more of God’s fullness we experience.
 
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19
 
©Gavin Aleogho
 

12 BIBLICAL TRUTHS ABOUT MONEY YOU SHOULD TEACH YOUR CHILD

 
- Gavin Aleogho
 
For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
 
The topic of money is an avoidable topic that has led many astray due to misinformation and misconceptions about money. The solution to this problem is not to refrain from speaking about money; rather it is to teach the biblical truth about money to our children.
 
The following 12 points will help your child develop the right attitude to money and the wisdom to handle it, rightly.
 
1. Everything And Every Money Belongs To God
 
It is important you let your child know that everything in this life belongs to God and that includes money. Every money they have and every money they will have belongs to God. Having this understanding will instil in them the fact that they are only stewards of God’s resources to which they should be faithful.
 
The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
Psalms 24:1
 
2. Money Is Neutral; It Is Either Good Or Evil
 
It is wrong to teach your child that money is evil. Money is not evil. It is the ‘love’ of (desperation for) money that is evil. Money is morally neutral; it only reflects the character of its possessor. When the possessor is evil, money produces wickedness. But when the possessor is a good and wise person, then money will be used for a good purpose.
 
A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; but money answers everything.
Ecclesiastes 10:19
 
3. It Is Okay To Work For Money
 
Yes, your child may not be old enough to work for wages, but let them know that every money that they have ever been given was worked for either directly or indirectly by someone. Hence, there is no free money anywhere. As they grow, let them know that it is okay to do legitimate work to make money. Let them know that there is dignity in labour.
 
A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. 
Proverbs 28:19 NLT.
 
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
Proverbs 13:11 NLT
 
4. Don’t Exalt Money Above Value For Human Life or Above Godly Virtue.
 
Anybody that exalts money more than human life can kill to get money. This is why we have a lot of ritualists and fraudsters in our society who can kill and do harm to their fellow man because of money.
 
A girl who exalts money more than the virtue of purity can go into prostitution to get money. Anybody that exalts money more than godly virtues like integrity, honesty or truthfulness will lie and cheat to get money. They can go any length to do evil and commit any crime because of money.
 
A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished… The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
Proverbs 28:20, 22 TLB
 
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
Proverbs 10:2
 
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Ephesians 4:28
 
5. Don’t Compare Yourself With Anybody, Financially.
 
It is foolish to make financial comparisons, considering the fact that you might be worth more than that fellow in other important areas of life. Besides, your path and destiny in life is different. And you shouldn’t disregard the fact that you might be wealthier than that fellow in the future.
 
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise
2 Corinthians 10:12
 
6. Uphold The Virtue Of Contentment
 
One important virtue you can teach your child is the virtue of contentment. You must ensure that before your child leaves your house to be on their own, they are firmly established with the virtue of contentment. This is because the virtue of contentment will greatly help them to easily overcome the many temptations that are related to the subject of wealth, riches and money. The virtue of contentment will help your child live within their means; overcoming the temptation of borrowing and taking loans.
 
It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained.
Proverbs 16:8
 
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” 
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
 
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:9-10 NLT.
 
7. Develop The Culture Of Saving
 
Your kids are not too young to start saving. Instead of using all their pocket money to buy sweets, biscuits and candy, get a savings box for them. Let them start saving part of any money that is given to them. You can also open a bank account to help them in this regard. And as their fund increases, you can guide them to start a mini business or help them invest their funds.
 
There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
Proverbs 21:20
 
8. Money Should Be Spent Purposefully
 
Help your children to develop the attitude of delayed gratification. Let them know that it is wrong to lose, misuse or waste money on frivolity.
 
One of the ways you can help them to spend rightly is by guiding them to spend on their future. That is, spending on things that will greatly empower them for their futures. Thus, instead of buying toys and candies, they can start investing their money to buy books, pay for courses and buy any material that will greatly help them in their journey to their destiny.
 
A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; but money answers everything.
Ecclesiastes 10:19
 
9. Overcome Greed And Selfishness With Generosity.
 
Greed and selfishness will only make one a slave to Mammon. You are not supposed to be a slave to money (Mathew 6:24). You are supposed to lord over money. One way to master money is by developing a liberal heart of generosity. A generous man will rule and have mastery over money.
 
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
1 Timothy 6:17-18.
 
10. The Pursuit Of Purpose Is Guaranteed To Bring Money
 
Let your children know that if they set their heart to pursue their God-given dreams it is guaranteed to make money come their way. Besides the blessing of money that accompanies the pursuit of purpose, it is also important to know that you also get fulfilment and satisfaction which comes with eternal rewards.
 
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
Proverbs 12:11
 
11. There Are A lot Of Dangers In Being Desperate To Get Money
 
The scripture clearly says that it is the love and desperation to get money that is the genesis and root of the evil we see in our land. Stealing, prostitution, fraud, lying, cheating and the love of the world in whatever guise are all connected to an unholy love and desperation for money. Let your children know of the many dangers and misfortune that face every man who is desperate to get money at any cost.
 
Those who love money will never have enough.
Ecclesiastes 5:10a NLT.
 
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
Proverbs 20:17
 
The person who gets money dishonestly is like a bird that hatches eggs it didn’t lay. In the prime of life he will lose his riches, and in the end he is nothing but a fool.
Jeremiah 17:11
 
12. Let God (Not Money) Be Your Primary Pursuit
 
Since the world and everything in it belongs to God, it is wise to have a cordial relationship with God, the Creator of everything. It is from God all blessings flow.  You will be undoing yourself when you don’t align your life properly with His ways. Besides, following the precept of God and all the principles in the Kingdom is a sure way to enjoy all the goodness of God. Hence, ensure that you guide your children in the way of the Lord, early.  Let the pursuit of God be their primary pursuit in life. Teach your child to live their lives in such a way that brings glory to God always.
 
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

YOU TOO CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD

 

Inherent in every child of God is the ability to hear the voice of God. This truth is validated by John 10:27 which reads, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"
 
If you are born again, you should and you can hear the voice of God. This is because you've been wired in your spirit-man to receive divine leadings. For your spirit has been joined with God's Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17).
 
God is always talking to His children. Sadly, many Christians cannot recognize the leading of God, otherwise known as God's voice. They can't differentiate God's voice from other voices in the world.
 
The reason for this problem is that many are not familiar with the voice and Person of the Lord. Hence, they can't filter-off other voices from His. Some mistake their voice (opinion) and "nice" advice for God's voice. 
 
The question then will be how can I get myself to be familiar with God's voice?
 
Let me use this story to show you how you can get yourself familiar with God's voice.
 
My daughter is very fond of me. I discovered that even in the dark, she could recognize my voice. And the simple reason is because she has been with me right from birth. I doubt if she could have recognized my voice if she hadn't grown up with me.
 
When she was just 3, I remember that my wife and Etse, my daughter, went to visit one of our brethren whose house was not too far from ours. They left around 6:30pm or so. And as usual, I knew they would be there for a minimum of one hour, and by then it would be dark. 
 
I decided to play a prank on them by waiting in the lonely street where I knew they would be passing when they would be coming back home. My intention was to scare my daughter. Yeah, I can be funny.
 
When I saw them coming, I tried to change my voice and gave a scary command, "You there, come here now," I said, hiding behind one of the trees. You won't believe the response I got...
 
"Daddy, daddy, it’s you. I catch you." Said my little girl as she walked towards where I was hiding. Oh, my girl just spoiled my plans.
 
Why was Etse able to quickly identify me?
 
It is because she has been with me. She knew my voice, and she could recognize it even in the dark. Besides, she knew my tendency to be naughty sometimes.
 
In the same vein, to be able to easily recognize the voice of God, you MUST have been (stayed) with the Lord for a while. Staying with the Lord will help you to get familiar with the leading and dealings of God.
 
How do you then get to stay with the Lord?
 
TWO WAYS TO STAY WITH THE LORD
 
1. By Staying With His Word, The Bible
 
The more you read your Bible the more you get to know the texture and nature of God's voice. Then will you be able to spot any voice that is not of the Lord.
 
2. By Staying With Him In The Secret Place Of  Prayers
 
Prayer is a place of meeting with the Father "...pray to your Father who is in the secret place." (Matthew 6:6).
 
The more you wait in the place of prayer the more you are properly tuned to recognize the voice and leading of the Father. For prayer is a spiritual alignment mechanism.
 
Besides, prayer is a fire that burns away every particle of the Old Man which tends to make the flesh louder than God's voice. This is more effective when prayer is coupled with fasting.
 
When you engage these two elements of prayer and the serious study of God's word, you will discover that you can easily pick up divine signals.
 
…To be continued.
 
...This piece is an excerpt of what I taught in our Tuesday Service (10th of October 2023), at Radiant Saints International Christian Centre.
 
©GavinAleogho
 

BREAKING BARRIERS

 

Yesterday at Radiant Saints International Christian Centre - RSICC I spoke on the topic "BREAKING BARRIERS". Using Jephthah as a case study (Judges 11). We saw that every man is born with some form of barriers and limitations which are aimed at stopping them from entering their destiny.

To ride on your place of honour like Jephthah, you must develop yourself and build capacity. Stop the blame game and face life squarely. When you do this, the barriers that have been

devised by the gate of hell to stop you will bow.

Two areas you must build capacity:

1. Physical Capacity

This entails sharping your skill. Acquiring a new skill. Running courses and developing your mind. Building valuable network. Etc

2. Spiritual Capacity

This starts from having an intimate walk with God. Laying a foundation of prayer for your tomorrow.

Not adding or complicating your life through sin and reckless living.

The second is very important because life is spiritual. You need to build both the physical front and the spiritual front to break the barriers standing before you.

I see the barriers and limitations before you giving way, in Jesus name.

Discipleship Course mp3 - Pst. Gavin Aleogho

 

This pack is aimed at helping you to have a deeper walk with the Lord Jesus and geared towards helping you to have a firm foundation in your walk of faith. 

Clink HERE to get the product for FREE

PRACTICAL STEPS TO ATTAINING SEXUAL PURITY

Written by Gavin Aleogho

This piece is in continuation of my article titled, “THE POSSIBILITY OF SEXUAL PURITY.” If you have not read that piece, kindly do yourself some favour and read it so as to be brought to speed. In that piece, I showed that sexual purity is something that is attainable.

 

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

 

9 STEPS TO ATTAINING SEXUAL PURITY

 

1. Believe That Sexual Purity Is Possible

 

Believing that sexual purity is possible is the first step towards victory over sexual immorality.

 

On several occasions, I have heard some public figures make some absurd comments, stating that no man can keep themselves from sexual immorality. Well, such individuals are only stating a fact that is based on their personal experience, but that is not the truth.  You will only be setting yourself up to fail in this regard if you believe such individuals.

 

If you must attain sexual purity, you must believe that it is a possibility. You have to believe that there are a lot of people who are keeping themselves from sexual immorality. There are many men who do not have extramarital affairs. There are singles who have not been cut in the web of sexual immorality. You can also be one of them if you believe.

 

2. Be Determined To Stay Sexually Pure

 

Your determination has a vital role to play in this regard. The will of a man is very powerful. If you make up your mind to do anything, the possibility of achieving it is very high. This is why we have records of men, women, boys and even girls who are not born again but who have been able to successfully keep themselves from sexual immorality. They’ve achieved this through the power of determination.

 

If mere mortals can achieve this, how much more should believers who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit achieve much more? This is why the scripture says, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,” (Romans 2:1).

 

With your determination, coupled with the help and empowerment of the Holy Spirit you can attain sexual purity.

 

Your determination will help you to set boundaries around yourself; cutting off anybody, anything or any circumstances that will lead to a fall. Determination will help you to flee when the devil offers such an opportunity. It will help you to say no even when a person is offering himself or herself to you free of charge.

 

Your determination will help you to avoid things that will pollute your mind. It will help you to avoid sexual triggers like ungodly music, videos, pornography, etc.

 

3. Be Vigilant To Sexual Predators

 

The pursuit of sexual purity does not exclude you from sexual temptation, nor does it blind the eyes of sexual predators from you.

 

It is your determination to pursue sexual purity that will help you to easily spot anyone who is trying to worm his or her way into your life with the aim of defiling you through any form of sexual perversion.

 

As long as the world remains, there will always be sexual predators. These sexual predators are found everywhere in our society and even in religious houses. Irrespective of your age, gender, title or status there are sexual predators that have been anointed by hell to chase after you.

 

Such sexual predators can come in disguise as friends, teachers, neighbours, pastors, colleagues, strangers, classmates, church members, family members or even religious leaders.

 

You must be wise and vigilant to spot these sexual predators whenever they raise their ugly heads against your body.

 

4. Be Conscious Of The Danger Of Sexual Sin

 

“…but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”  

1 Corinthians 6:18b NIV.

 

If you can bring yourself to always remember the various deadly consequences of sexual sin it will help you to pursue sexual purity. This consciousness will help you to run away when the devil is offering such on a platter of gold.

 

Sexual Transmitted Diseases are only one aspect of the consequences of sexual sins. Time will fail me to talk about the problem of demonic soul-tie that is associated with sexual sin. There are a lot of subtle consequences which are not obvious to the eyes.

 

For further studies on the various dangers of sexual immorality, you can read the following of my articles:

 

14 DEADLY BIBLICAL CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL SIN

http://gavinaleoghoworld.blogspot.com/2017/01/14-deadly-biblical-consequences-of.html

 

7 ILLUSIONS ABOUT ILLICIT SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP

http://gavinaleoghoworld.blogspot.com/2017/04/7-illusions-about-illicit-sexual.html

 

5. Speak Out When You Discover That You Are Falling

 

One thing I have discovered is that having someone you can confide in when you discover that you are already “falling” into sexual sin, can help you to quickly bounce back. For sexual sin flourishes in secrecy. If the devil can make you keep the affair private, he has won the battle against you.

 

One way to easily deal with sexual sin is to expose it. It is difficult to fight this problem alone. This is where your spiritual guardian (Pastor, Mentor or Discipler, etc) comes in. Ensure that you have matured believers around you that you are accountable to. Speaking with someone who is genuinely concerned about your spiritual growth in the faith will greatly help you to maintain the path of sexual purity.

 

6. The fear of God

 

Indeed, the fear of God is the beginning of walking in wisdom. When you actually fear God, you will automatically walk in wisdom. You will always do the right thing when you have the fear of God in your heart, irrespective of the environment or situation that you find yourself in.

 

A lot of Christians love God but very few actually fear God. This is shown by the way we worship and praise God in the congregation of the saints. Believers cry in worship. They dance in praise to God like David danced. All these are a reflection of love for God.

 

However, what shows that we fear God is what happens outside the four walls of the Church. What happens in the secret place where nobody is, is what shows whether we fear God or not. We must not only love God, we must also fear God.

 

Can you stand for righteousness in the dark? Will you give in to Potiphar’s wife when you know that nobody will know? When you know that God can see through even in the darkest room and that nothing is hidden before Him, then you would fear Him.

 

The fear of God is not just a dread for God but a holy reverence and respect for His person. The fear of God will definitely keep you from sexual immorality.

 

7. Fill Your Mind With The Word Of God

 

You can’t overcome sexual temptation when your mind is empty of God’s word. For it was with the Word that Jesus used to overcome the temptation of the devil.

 

This was why someone like David asked, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalms 119:9

 

Your life will tilt in the direction of the kind of belief (philosophy, ideology, words) in your mind, which you have accumulated over the years.

 

For some people, even though they are born again, their mind is still filled with the philosophy of the world. Some men have this ideology that all men are womanizer. If you are like that, you can’t attain sexual purity.

 

You have to get rid of such a mind set and fill your mind with the word of God. The word of God in your mind will serve as the operating system of your life.

 

The mind cannot be empty. Something must occupy your mind. When your mind is not occupied by the principles of heaven, it will be occupied by the ideology of the world.

 

8. Get rid of sexual pollution

 

Sexual purity begins from the mind. When the mind is polluted, the man becomes polluted. Pollution in the mind has a way of controlling the man to do stupid things. This is one reason why you should put away anybody and anything that can pollute your heart.

 

For the scripture says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.

 

To keep yourself from sexual pollution, you must get rid of materials, music, videos, friends and environment that pollute the mind.

 

Nobody will do that for you; it’s your responsibility.

 

9. Depend on The Holy Spirit for Grace to Overcome

 

Yes, the will of a man can help to some extent in this regard. However, if you must achieve total victory over this sin, you must depend on God’s grace. The grace of God is available to you via the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in you.

 

Your responsibility is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. He will tell you when you are in danger of falling. He will tell you when to flee from an environment or from an individual. He will guide you on the choice of friends to make. If you walk with Him, you are sure of victory.