‘Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls’ (Prov.25:28)
Self discipline in your sexual life is all about controlling yourself under sexual pressure. The scripture for our consideration above says that if you don’t have rule over your spirit, you are like a broken city without walls. When a city is without walls, it means that anyone may come in, since there is no gate to control movement.
There is no how you will not experience situations in your marital life where you will be tempted to go off the marital sex boundary. In fact it is like there is a rule that says ‘thou shall be tempted’. Topmost on the list of issues that make many not to finish strong is the issue of sexual immorality. It is therefore imperative for any child of God who wants to finish strong to be personally disciplined in the area of sex.
Many have the feeling that once you are married, there should be no discussion about being personally disciplined in sexual matters, since your spouse will always be there for you. However, such people may be wrong. Self discipline in sex matters will require you to:
Do Without Sex For Some Time Even When Your Spouse Is Available.
This level of discipline is essential because there will be times that even though your spouse is available, he or she will not be able to satisfy you. For instance, if your husband or wife is ill or somehow not emotionally in position to be available for you sexually, you may easily fall for temptation from another member of the opposite sex, thereby jeopardizing your relationship with God and losing the trust of your spouse.
Be Able To Control Yourself When Sexually Tempted.
There is simply no how you will not be sexually tempted. A considerable percentage of those you will be dealing with are members of the opposite sex. If you are male, you are going to deal with a lot of women that are lonely and are sex starved due to divorce, separation or several other problems. In the process of consoling or sympathizing with them, you might have gone into it before you realize it. If you are a woman, don’t think that you are immune from sexual immorality. At an unguarded moment, if you are not disciplined, you may fall into immorality before you know what is happening. There are also situations in which you may discover some traits which you would have appreciated in your husband in another man that will make you to secretly desire the man. There may also be someone who you were in relationship with before marriage that you suddenly come across: Such men must be kept at an arm’s length if you want to finish strong.
Self discipline is so important to you as a man or woman that lack of it will make you to jeopardize your home and your relationship with God and once it happens, you may never recover completely from it.
WHY YOU NEED SELF DISCIPLINE IN SEXUAL MATTERS
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1Cor.10:13)
Why do you need to have self discipline in sex matters? The following are some of the reasons why it is vital.
The Scripture Commands It.
In the Old as well as New Testaments, the scriptures strictly warn against sexual immorality (Ex.20:18; 1Cor.6:18). You should always remember that the most important requirement for a life of impact with God is obedience. If you call yourself a child of God, you are simply deceiving yourself if you are not obedient.
The Covenant Of Marriage Demands It.
The covenant of marriage is a very powerful covenant. In it, before God and His church, you have given yourself over to your husband or wife and to no one else. If you are not self disciplined, there is no way that you will not break this covenant. If you know the meaning of covenant and the fact that God takes covenant breaking so seriously, you will avoid extramarital affairs by all means. (Rom.1:29-32)
Your Spiritual Development Makes It Imperative.
If you are not self disciplined, sometimes your spouse will deny you sex and you will do things that will draw you back in your spiritual development. Immorality is one of the greatest sources of spiritual stuntedness in the life of many.
Your Health Demands It.
If you are not self disciplined, you may expose yourself and your spouse to a wide range of health challenges. AIDS and other devastating contagious sexually transmitted diseases may be contracted through illicit sexual affairs.
Fairness To Your Spouse Demands It.
Can you imagine discovering your spouse cheating on you? If you will not feel good about it, you should put yourself in the position of your spouse whenever you are tempted and be fair to him / her. So, fairness to your spouse demands that you should be self disciplined about sexual temptations.
Commitment To Those You Lead Demands It.
If you are a responsible leader you must be able to teach your followers the right principles through your own way of life. Consequently, your commitment to those you lead demands that you discipline yourself in sexual matters.
Your Desire To Finish Strong Demands It.
‘Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: …’(Eccl.7:8)
Heavenly rewards are reserved for those who are able to deny themselves of unrighteous gratifications which the devil brings through diverse temptations in the process of walking with God (2Tim.4:7&8). So, you need self discipline because finishing strong demands it.
