These strategies for bouncing and starving the eyes may sound rather simple. Maybe even easy to do. But they aren’t. Satan fights you with lies, while your body fights you with the desires and strength of deeply entrenched bad habits. To win, you need a sword and a shield.
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Your Sword
I have made a covenant with my eyes. [Job 31:1]
When you fail and look at a jogger, say sharply, “No, I’ve made a covenant with my eyes. I can’t do that!” When you look at a busty billboard, say, “No, I’ve made a covenant with my eyes. I can’t do that!” This action will be a quick dagger to the heart of your enemy.
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Your Shield
Flee from sexual immorality. … You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. [1 Corinthians 6:18-20]
You have no right to look at that or think about it. You haven’t the authority.
A shield such as this will help you think rightly about the real issues involved as you face temptation in your fight for purity. Satan’s power of temptation lies in your supposed right to make decisions regarding your behavior. If you didn’t believe you had that right, no tempting power could touch you.
+ Every Man’s Battle, Arterburn & Stoeker, 141-142
