Have a Plan

Staying sexually pure takes work, but the end results are worth it. If you've made a decision to abstain from sex outside of marriage, your first action should be to establish a plan to resist sexual temptation. This plan can include (1) keeping yourself away from sexually charged situations, (2) finding other outlets for your energy, (3) establishing boundaries for your relationships, and (4) strengthening yourself spiritually through prayer and Bible study.

Sabrina Black says, "You need to learn how to pray yourself through sexual stimulus and realize that when you are feeling sexually aroused, you may need physical activity. What are some things you can do to keep yourself moving or to distract yourself from thinking about the sexual stimulus too much?

"Be careful about the types of movies and TV programs you watch and the books you read. Those things can stimulate you, and you don't want to create any type of arousal. Pray, read the Word, trust God to keep you, and make wise choices instead."

Even if you have tried to have a plan and failed at it, do not lose heart. Today is a new day. Believe that you can resist any temptation through Christ and act on that belief.

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).