She's Not Much Different Than You - Part 2

This is the second part of the article "She's Not Much Different Than You". Follow the link to read the first part.

Conquering the denial that you could ever become "the other woman" is a giant victory in the battle of a lady's temptation in adultery.  However, there are real, tangible things that can be employed to help us run from sin.  Matthew 18 is so very clear about avoiding temptations to sin.  Some people believe these verses to be slightly dramatic as it directs us to "cut off" and "tear out" parts of our body causing us to sin.  I think Jesus' point here is that sin is dangerous, and we should aggressively fight against it.  It isn't something to handle lightly as you are risking grieving your Savior's heart as well as tearing your family or someone else's apart by your irresponsible behavior.

First thing is first, who is your accountability?  What girlfriend do you have in your life who chases hard after Jesus?  Who will lovingly pour truth in your story even if it isn't what you wanted to hear?  Who will not laugh at or encourage your flirtations with sin?  If you don't have one, find one.  Ask the Lord to bring you a lady like this and He will.  You need her.  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

When the Lord brings her to you, be willing to be vulnerable and transparent.  When I say transparent, I mean completely.  Bring to the table even the tiniest of temptations.  Even if you are so humiliated to admit that something that someone said flattered you because of who they are (a pastor/your husband's best friend) or what they said was so innocent (it always is), you tell her.  Bring it into the light so that the enemy can have no secret fantasy land for your mind to wander into.  Satan will work very hard to convince you that you don't need to share.  He wants so badly to keep you in the dark with this little weed he's planted, so he can keep it growing.  The minute you shine light on it, you can see it for the weed it is and he loses so much power.  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9.

Next, RUN!  Hear me on this, chances are you are not going to want to run.  There is a reason it is called temptation.  There are things that are going to be enticing that you may have NEVER imagined you would be enticed by.  You are going to appreciate his lingering eyes, his smile, his laughing at your jokes, his interest in what you have to say.  You will rationalize it as a totally normal platonic relationship all the while he keeps creeping up in your mind and you are finding ways to cross paths more and more.  If you have already brought this to your accountability, hopefully, the two of you haven't let it get this far.  But, you must flee whatever that may look like: change your doctor, switch your grocery pick-up time, switch your kid's sport's team, refuse to be alone with them even if it means you take another elevator...whatever it needs to be, do it.  The inconvenience is a small price to pay.  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

At the end of the day, this admonition is for us all: the wife who has already walked in adultery or the one who swears she'd never.  Let's not just walk around with no plan.  Let's keep putting off our old self and running from our deceitful desires...we are ALL full of them.