Road map for change starts with commitment and conviction

Perhaps you have tried to fight off sexual temptation. Sometimes you are successful, but other times you fall down. How do you deal with those times when you give in to temptation? It is very important that we learn this well: first, you need help, and second, you must have conviction!

Nick Vujicic is well-acquainted with battles and physical disabilities. He was born without arms or legs, and at one time, thought about ending his life. As you might imagine, he knows a lot about falling down, too. He doesn’t have arms or legs, but he never stayed down. There is a popular Japanese proverb that describes his formula for success: “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” He doesn’t view failure as final. It’s more of a trial-and-error process. You learn something each time that helps you to do better the next time.

If you mess up, it’s not an occasion to throw in the towel. Instead, it means you need to recognize your problem, ask God for wisdom, and rely more on the Holy Spirit for strength. If you learn well, you will move forward and grow. Nick Vujicic captured the essence of a victorious spirit when he said, “No matter who you are, no matter what you’re going through, God knows it. He is with you. He is going to pull you through.”

For there to be victory, you have to feel worthy of it. You are, after all, His beloved! God couldn’t love you more or less. His love is perfect and casts out all fear of your value to Him (1 John 4:8). Then you must act confidently, according to His direction. Fortunately, Nick overcame his disabilities and despair to live an independent, abundant, and fulfilling life. He is a great role model for all of us. You can read more about him and his “ridiculously good” life in his book, Life Without Limits.

Nick learned just how much he was loved by God. He adds, “It’s a lie to think you’re not good enough. It’s a lie to think you’re not worth anything. The challenges in our lives are there to STRENGTHEN our CONVICTIONS. They are NOT there to run us over.” What are your convictions regarding your worth and the purpose of God in your life?

Hopefully, you are willing to embrace these convictions, which are firm and fixed beliefs that guide and strengthen our lives. Here are some life-changing convictions:

• It is possible to turn from a life of sexual sin to a life of purity.
• The foundation for lasting change is the grace of Jesus.
• Jesus can, will, and does set people free from the power of pornography.
• Real change isn’t a human method, program, or just trying harder—but rather a trusting relationship in Christ and following practices based on His work.

These practices built on the work of Christ offer the fuel and road map for change. Each of them is grounded in God’s love and defines how to apply the good news in practical ways.

(Excerpted adapted from my book, Pure Teens: Honoring God, Relationships, and Sex)