Fight Sexual Immorality And You Will Lose

It was around this time last year in January that I went to Puerto Rico for vacation. I was really excited to go. My first language is Spanish, and they use American currency there, so I thought it would be such a cool experience. I tend to be very economical with my money (call it “cheap” if you want to be mean). I always try to maximize my trip in any way I can. Frequent flyer miles, hotel points, coupons, etc. So of course I booked a room through a website where people rent their houses. After all, I wasn’t planning on staying indoors much. I wanted to do as much sight-seeing and exploring as I could.

Upon arrival I met my hosts and their dogs. They were a nice couple. They lived very humbly. They didn’t have much in their home, and they didn’t even have a car. They just walked everywhere. They didn’t even work. Apparently the house-rental thing was enough to provide a decent living. They definitely were living the island life.

This couple introduced me to the three male college students who were also staying there. They also mentioned that there was another older lady … but she was gone most of the day. I was confused about how seven people were staying in a small, 3-bedroom house. Nevertheless, I didn’t care because I had my own room — and the only room in the house with air conditioning, mind you. I walked into my room, where there were three things: A blow-up mattress, sheets and a pillow. Seriously, the bare minimum you could have in a room.

The evening continued, and the older lady finally arrived for the day. She was nice and introduced herself. As the evening progressed, the hosts invited me to join them for salsa dancing. They mentioned that the three college guys were going, too. I declined because I was going out for dinner. They all then happily jumped into the college guys’ rental car and went on their way.

That was when the older lady stopped by my room and asked if I wanted to smoke weed. I said, “No, thanks.” (Those “say nope to dope” campaigns when I was kid finally paid off.) I was on my way out when she asked if I’d like to sit down for a bit and have coffee. Of course, I didn’t want be rude, so I sat with her in the living room and had this conversation:

“So what’s your story? Why are you here?” she asked.

“Oh, I’m just visiting. I’ve got a friend in town, and I’ve never been here, so I thought I’d come,” I said.

“That sounds great, I’ve been here …”

This is where she started rambling. The cannabis was clearly taking effect. I heard stories about her recent trips, and why she’s taking the red-eye out tonight, etc., etc.

I continued to listen until it hit me: I’m in a situation that I’ve haven’t been in since June of 2012. As a former sex addict, I was very familiar with this situation. I’m alone in a house with a woman who is looking for attention and affirmation. The thought that I had next completely changed my emotions, countenance and desires. The thought was:

“Do you want to f**k?”

The thought inside my head triggered an intense battle between physical desire and obedience to Christ. I got goose bumps, the hairs stood up on my skin and I could feel my body preparing itself for sex.

She continued to ramble, and I wasn’t listening. I kept thinking, “I’ve got to get out of here. I must leave.”

I know very well that this battle is lost if I stay. The Bible clearly says:

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:18

Noticed that it says “flee” sexual immorality. It doesn’t say stay and fight, or entertain it; it says flee. God knew what He was doing when he wrote these Scriptures. Time and time again, I hear of men trying to “fight” sexual immorality, but you’re not even supposed to entertain it. Get rid of the computer, quit your job, do whatever is necessary to get the farthest away from it.

I interrupted the lady and said I had to get going. I told her that it was good to meet her, and to have safe trip. I took a four-hour dinner that night. One hour to eat, and the next three driving around, waiting for that lady to leave.

If you fight sexual immorality, you’re going to lose. This is not a suggestion from the Word of God; it’s a command. I didn’t want to lose, so I fled.

And I lived to fight another day.