Avoiding Sexual Sin And It's Subtle Appearances

Happy Sunday, !

If you're a Christian, will you go to church? 

Not a Christian nor a churchgoer? I trust you are having a swell Sunday morning. 

Let's pretend this newsletter is a church and I, rhe writer, your pastor while you, , my esteemed reader is the congregation. Why? I want to talk about sexual sin today.

If you're a christian sister, I believe you know this feeling; you see a brother who is going through a tough time in his marriage. He's stressed, he's angry, and he's just not himself. And you want to help. I know, I know. It's hard to not want to give him a shoulder to lean on. But trust me, this is not the way to help.

The same advice goes for brothers. When a sister is going through a tough time in her marriage or relationship, don't try to be her knight in shining armor. That moment in her life is not the time to get close to her and "be there" for her.

Here's why:

• If you get too close to him/her, they may start to see you as a potential romantic partner. And that's not fair to either of you. Remember, we are commanded to "flee from all appearance of evil." Don't put yourself in the spot.
• If they start to see you in a romantic light, it could make things even more difficult for their marriage.
• And even if they don't start to see you in a romantic light, your presence could still make things difficult for their spouse.

So what can you do? Here are a few suggestions:

• Pray for them. Let God know that you're concerned about them, and ask Him to help them through this difficult time.
• Encourage them to seek help from a qualified counselor. A counselor can help them to work through their problems and to find healthy ways to cope with stress.

I know it's hard to watch someone you care about go through a tough time. But please, don't make things worse by getting too close to him—if you're sister; or her—if you're a brother. There are other ways to show your support. 

Finally, a word to you, : don't let the devil use you!

I know, I know. It's tempting. The devil is always there, whispering in our ears, telling you that we can get away with anything. But don't listen to him.

The devil is a liar. Heck, he's the father of lies! That is, he invented lies! He will only lead you down a path of destruction. So, , don't give him the satisfaction of getting too close with a Christian brother/sister who's having marital or relationship issues, especially if you're struggling with sexual temptation. 

Even if you aren't, STAY AWAY! Why? It is easy for someone who's having issues with their partner to develop emotional attachment towards any person of the opposite sex who gives them a shoulder to lean on. 

There are other ways to help.l them. Let them talk to a trusted family member. Let them seek professional counseling. And most importantly, pray for them.

With ❤️, 

could-be-a-pastor Jaachị Anyatọnwụ