“Ten Steps to Conquer Impure Thoughts” Part 4

V.        6th Step: “Reinforce Your Will by a Bond Accountability”

A.   The principle of accountability is one of the most important tool to use to conquer temptation. If we are going to commit ourselves to do something and we fail to use this tool of accountability, we only fool ourselves and set ourselves up for failure. By using someone to be accountable to, will benefit us enormously, because it doubles our accountability, which in return forces us to be honest.

B.   Take for example, when we have impure thoughts on an average of three times (3X) a week. We then will suffer defeat of an average of 156 episodes within a year. If one can reduce these episodes by half, were on our way in being set free from impure thoughts.

C.   One should ask the Holy Spirit for guidance on whom, we should go to for accountability. By going to someone, we take these thoughts that plague us under the submission of the Lord. The person who we can be accountable is our Bishops, Stake President, and Quorum President Leaders, a teacher or a friend. By going to this person, we are making a covenant with them that they will respect our confidentiality and also that they will be accountable to God.

D.   This agreement that we are making with this person is when a temptation plaques us, we should be able to contact them and share with them what is happening to us. So when this transpires, the both of you can pray about it. What will this accomplish? Four major things will happen:

1.    The thought of divulging these temptations to the person whom we are accountable to, is a powerful motivation to resist this temptation even more.

2.    One’s need for prayer is a powerful tool in setting us free. By going to them is like having a “spiritual umbrella” to protect us from our thoughts that try to captivate us and bring us back into bondage of these thoughts.

3.    By going together in prayer, will be a source of power for victory we’re striving for. It says in the Word, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

4.    By sharing the problem with another solves half of the problem. It also gives the Lord an opportunity to work in the situation. It is when we keep it to ourselves, we are bound to this sin and by sharing it allows the Holy Spirit to work in it and set us free from the claws of the enemy. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

E.   As you are struggling with your weakness, it will be a benefit  to the person, who you are being accountable to because it causes that person to be accountable to God and to you. In return it will be a blessing to him because it fosters and encourages them to live a godly life.

1.    When you talk to the person, there is no need to go into any details. Just share with them that you are being tempted. After sharing with them, the both of you should go into prayer in order to receive the help you need.

2.    After praying, asked them to check with you later to see how you are doing. There may be a need to pray some more. The more seek the Lord’s face the greater the triumph will be.

3.    In James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  This will foster and strengthen our covenant by building and relying on God’s Word. In return the both of you can rejoice when the war is over and it is won. You both can savor the delicious victory. Moroni 7:9 says “And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.”

F.    Another form of accountability is by asking your spouse or your girlfriend to help you in this area. Asking them to help you in guarding your eyes in public. This will be effective and reassuring too.

1.    Ask her when she notices you looking more than twice at another women, she will help you by gently reminding you of your covenant with your eyes.

2.    She can also remind to view this other women from God’s perspective.

3.    When she is helping you, she do this in love and not in condemnation. By doing it in a sarcastic and condemning way, will only foster defeat.

4.    Sometimes when one is being accused, our old nature will kick in and one says to himself, “If I am going to be judged and convicted of it, I my wells give into it and do it!”

5.    When it is done in love, it will inspire you to try harder to guard your eyes and your heart.

6.    Also this bond of accountability to draw the couple closer together, strengthening their relationship.

7.    It will encourage and better ones communication between couples.

8.    Their love will reassure them daily and the both of them will bask in the victory of the battle that was won by the power of God.

 

VI.       7th Step: “Realize That Winning a War Means Many Battles”

A.   In Scriptures, the Lord gives us various accounts of battles that we will face in life, so that we can learn and benefit from them. In

1 Corinthians 10:6  “Now these things were our examples,” Take for instant, the following story in the Bible.

B.   The prophet Elijiah reminded King Jehoash of his future battles that he will have to face. Elijah gave the king some arrows and commanded him to shoot the arrows into the ground. King Jehoash shot the arrows in the ground three times and then gave up. Elijiah was deeply disheartened in the king and told him, if he had struck the ground five or six times, he would of subdued his enemies. By striking the ground trice, he would only win three battles, but eventually he would be defeated. 2 Kings 13:14-19

C.   We have to make a gut, soul and have a heart determination that no matter what the cost is we will stick to the struggle until we see the end comes and victory is gained. The Scriptures are filled with examples and reminders that we need to be more determine than we think. Here are some scriptures to encourage you. Jeremiah 12:5 “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?”

Proverbs 24:10 “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

D&C 89:20 “And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.”

D.   In Romans 5:20-21, it says where there is much sin, more grace abounds. No matter how deep one is in sin, God gives us the grace to overcome it. God’s mercy and His grace flows more abundantly. Also when we have been forgiven much, more is expected of us.

Click on the following web link.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yY9NLyfBao&feature=related

E.   When one lives a sinful life, they are sold out to it and don’t give a second thought to it, because one is in bondage to that sin. No matter what the circumstances was, we gave no excuses to go out and party commit our wrongdoings.

F.    When Christ came into our lives, He gave us the choice to say no or yes to our old nature. The Lord wants to see that we have the same passion to live a godly life as we did when we lived our sinful life.

G.   We come up with various excuses why we can’t serve the Lord. We take advantage of Our Heavenly Father’s mercy.

H.   We need to be honest with ourselves that when we lived our old life, we were sold-out to the devil and his ways. We didn’t give it a second thought how our sin was hurting us, because we were enjoying its’ temporary pleasure. This sin held us in bondage.

I.      If one is willing to have that kind of passion for our old nature: why can’t we have same passion for the Lord? Another words, we need to be sold out to the Lord with the same passion and degree. Serve Him with a grateful heart because He set us free.

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