Your success on this Christian journey doesn’t rest solely on your abilities, ample resources, or sheer determination. Your success is based on being empowered by the Holy Spirit. As you submit to Christ, He will establish your ability to walk in purity. This Plan is filled with practical keys to help you partner with the Holy Spirit, overcome temptation, and experience victory in your life!
JOURNEY TO PURITY
Day 1
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 1:18, Romans 8:1, John 14:26
What Does the Bible Say About Sex?
If you grew up in or around the church, you’ve probably been warned not to have sex before marriage. You may be under the impression that God thinks sex is bad, but the Bible says something very different. From a biblical perspective, sex is a good thing. Yep, you read that correctly—sex is a good thing. God not only created sex for reproduction but also for our pleasure. However, there’s one crucial point to note: Sex is only considered good within the context of marriage. The Bible says to avoid sexual immorality; each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband (1 Corinthians 7:1-2).
What if I Already Had Sex?
If you’ve already had sex, don’t worry. There is still hope for you. It doesn’t matter how you start your journey to purity but how you finish. God is loving and forgiving. If you confess your sins, God will forgive you because they are covered by the blood Jesus shed for you on the cross. The Bible says, regardless of what you’ve done, if you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your old life is gone, and your new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17).
While you can’t become a virgin again in a physical sense, repentance restores your purity in a spiritual sense (Isaiah 1:18). Meaning, if you truly repent from sexual sin, you can receive God’s forgiveness and be made new and clean again. Don’t allow yourself to focus on your feelings of shame or guilt (Romans 8:1). After you’ve confessed your sin, leave it in God’s hands.
Over the next six days, we will share practical keys that have helped us walk in purity. We believe that you can experience victory in your life as you partner with the Holy Spirit and utilize these very real, tangible, and practical keys (John 14:26).
Day 2
Scriptures: James 1:14, Matthew 5:27-29, Romans 13:13-14, Galatians 5:16-17
Key #1 – Acknowledge Your Temptation Triggers
Temptation is inevitable. It will come. So, you shouldn’t be surprised by it but prepared for it. To overcome temptation, you must first understand what tempts you (James 1:14). It is vital that you take drastic steps to identify and remove anything and anyone that causes you to stumble on your journey (Matthew 5:27-29). For example, if you find yourself tempted when watching a specific tv show, listening to a particular music artist, or following certain accounts on social media, eliminate these temptations immediately. Don’t waste any time. Also, have a mature conversation with your partner, so you can both establish relationship boundaries that help ensure your interactions remain pure.
Reflection:
Do you know your temptation triggers? Take a piece of paper, and jot down the things that entice you to sin and give in to temptation. What boundaries can you establish to ensure you aren’t triggered?
Day 3
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 4:15-16, 1 Corinthians 6:18
Key #2 – Escape Temptation
When you’re faced with temptation, know that God promises to give you a way out, but you must be willing to take it (1 Corinthians 10:13). You know, the voice telling you to leave before things get heated, or the unexpected phone call from a close friend. Don’t ignore these signs. Run toward the nearest exit, and don’t look back!
Jesus understands temptation and how we feel because He was tempted in all areas–just like us–but never sinned. Therefore, you don’t have to be ashamed, but you can boldly go before God to receive mercy and find grace to help you escape temptation (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Reflection:
Do you know that, as a Believer, God provides you with a way out of temptation? Have you ever ignored a sign before? How can you be sensitive to His Spirit and acknowledge signs as soon as you see them?
Day 4
Scriptures: Philippians 4:8, Joshua 1:8, Job 23:12, Matthew 4:1-11
Key #3 – Resist Temptation with God’s Word
Sometimes, temptation doesn’t always occur in the presence of someone. We can be alone when a thought to commit sexual sin enters our minds. Our minds can be a gateway to temptation, so it’s essential that you read the Bible daily and meditate on God’s truth. The result? When the enemy presents you with a lie, you’re ready to call him out and replace the negative thought with the positive Word of God.
Everything that you do should reflect the Word of God. Be careful about what you allow yourself to ponder (Philippians 4:8). Guard your conversations, thoughts, and actions. As you do all these things, you will be prosperous and have success on your journey to purity (Joshua 1:8).
In Job 23:12, Job said, “I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.” This scripture illustrates the importance Job placed on relying on God’s Word. You are to take that same approach with the Word of God.
Reflection:
How do you react when you have a lustful thought? Do you ignore it? Do you give way to sexual sin? What changes can you make, starting today, to refute the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s Word?
Day 5
Scriptures: Matthew 26:41, Psalms 145:21
Key #4 – Pray and Praise God When Faced with Temptation
Prayer is a powerful weapon that can prevent us from falling into temptation of every kind, especially sexual temptation. You must pray for spiritual strength and grace to flee sexual immorality. The enemy is cunning; therefore, as Believers, we must be spiritually alert to his tricks.
It’s tough to give in to temptation when your focus is on praying and praising God. You may be too weak to resist temptation on your own. But when you focus your heart and mind on worshipping God, He will inhabit your praises and give you the strength to resist and avoid temptation.
Reflection:
Set aside some time today to remove mental distractions and focus on worshipping God. Write down how this exercise made you feel.
Day 6
Scriptures: Romans 2:4, Luke 5:31-32, Psalms 103:1-4, Proverbs 28:13, 2 Peter 3:9
Key #5 – Immediately Repent When You Fail
The Bible says the best way to resist temptation is to flee from it. However, it is easier said than done, and we end up falling now and then. When we fail to flee from temptation, inevitably, we fall. Notice key #5 doesn’t say, immediately repent if you fail. The reality is that, at times, you will fall. This truth should help you to quickly repent when it does occur.
God’s love, patience, and kindness should lead you to repentance when you fall. He does not want you to stay away from Him, isolated in your guilt (Romans 2:4). Jesus is a healer (Luke 5:31-32). When you fall and mess up, don’t forget the benefits of being a child of God (Psalm 103:1-4). He can redeem and refresh you.
Reflection:
Think back to the last time you fell on your journey? Did you go to God immediately? If not, from now on, how can you ensure you go to God right away to repent?
Day 7
Scriptures: Proverbs 27:6, Proverbs 15:22, Psalms 1:1-3, Revelation 12:11, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Proverbs 27:17
Key #6 – Seek Accountability Partners to Help with Temptation
Having friends who are on the same journey is always a plus when you want to avoid temptation. You can help each other stay focused on your goals. Just remember to be honest, transparent, supportive, and trustworthy.
When seeking an accountability partner, you should have standards, set expectations, and establish boundaries. Your accountability partner should be someone who is of the same sex. Selecting a same-sex accountability partner is major because there are instances when temptation can arise when opposite-sex accountability partners connect. Your accountability partner should also be someone who will tell you the truth–even if it hurts (Proverbs 27:6). Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed” (English Standard Version). If you’re trying to live a pure life, you should seek counsel from someone whose life reflects the fruit associated with Godly living, not someone who isn’t even trying to walk in sexual purity (Psalm 1:1-3).
We want to offer you a few tips to make the most of your accountability partnership:
Tip 1: Plan and Set Aside a Designated Time for Check-in
Discuss expectations when you first connect. Identify a regular time to meet; determine how you’ll meet (e.g., video chat, call, text); and decide how long you’ll meet (e.g., 15 minutes, 30 minutes). Put the designated time on your calendar, and treat it as a fixed appointment.
Tip 2: Share Your Journey
Be vulnerable and honest with your struggles. We overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and we love not our lives to the death (Revelation 12:11). This means, to experience true freedom, you must share your testimony (1 Peter 3:15).
Tip 3: Choose One Thing to Conquer
Sometimes, attempts to overcome multiple issues all at once lead to failure. Instead, create accountability sessions that focus on one problem at a time. This method will help you better track your progress and communicate strengths and challenges to your partner without being overwhelmed.
Tip 4: Celebrate Your Wins
Base all of your communication around positive reinforcement. This doesn’t mean you’re both perfect and everything is great. This means every step in the right direction toward purity should be acknowledged and applauded.
Tip 5: Be Willing to Change Partners
If your partner starts to disappear or misses a scheduled time on more than one occasion, politely end the partnership. Take responsibility and notify your partner that the partnership isn’t working out for you. Then pray and ask God to connect you with someone more compatible. Time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, especially if you’re serious about your purity journey.
These are just a few tips to get you started with your accountability partner. Please feel free to adjust as needed and create a mutually beneficial plan.
Reflection:
Do you have an accountability partner? If not, ask God to connect you with other Believers who can help support and encourage you on the journey.
NEXT STEPS: Congrats! You completed this 7-day plan on “6 Keys to Sexual Purity.”