Deliverance Is Possible: Escaping the Grip of Sexual Sin

The negative influence of sexual sin impacts the body, soul, and spirit of many Christians. It is defined as expression and partnership with sexual activity outside of a husband-and-wife relationship. It is a violation of God’s blessing of sexuality and intimacy as it often manifests in such actions as lust, pornography, fornication, homosexuality, habitual masturbation, and adultery.

Due to the fall of humanity and the resulting consequence of sin, what our heavenly Father created as good (sexuality) has been perverted by the enemy (sexual sins). The overarching question of satan in the Garden of Eden, “Did God really say. . .?” (Genesis 3:1), has become the baseline for the current culture’s challenge of God’s authority as it relates to sexuality. From this challenging and rebellious nature, sexual sin has sought to turn a powerful and beautiful gift into an idol of disobedience, pain, and brokenness for the entire world.  

Furthermore, sexual sin is unlike any other sin, as it creates negative relationship influences (unhealthy connections that become the covenants formed when a person has influence or the wrong kind of influence in our lives.) These sins affect our bodies and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Sexual sin as a negative influence produces feelings of shame, guilt, and a feeling of spiritual defilement, which creates walls to God’s presence and patterns of secrecy and isolation. Further indicators of sexual sin in our lives may be: 

• Persistence of lustful thoughts—a continuous struggle with impure thoughts or fantasies that distract from a lifestyle marked by holiness. 

• A distorted view of sexuality—viewing sexual intimacy casually or with selfish intent. 

• Relationship and spiritual struggles-experiencing a sense of guilt or disconnection from God that results in broken relationships. 

• Secretive behaviors- engaging in hidden activities such as pornography or inappropriate relationships that avoid accountability. 

  
  

Countless times, I have witnessed the isolation from sexual sins lead individuals into cycles that cause them to feel trapped and unable to break free from their bondage.  

Freedom and emotional healing from sexual sin involve seeking God’s empowerment and grace to live a life that overcomes the struggle of sexual impurity. This often means confession, forgiveness, repentance/renunciation, and submission of our will and desires to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. When we choose to ask the Holy Spirit to renew and transform our minds, God will fill every void left in our hearts by sexual sin with His truth, purity, and love. This freedom will always result in our renewed sense of purpose, identity in Christ, and personal holiness. 

Questions to Ask: 

1. To what extent have you engaged in sexual sin?

   1. How long? 

   2. What circumstances influenced the start of this behavior? 

2. What boundaries do you have in place between moments of sexual purity and moments of partnering with sexual sin? 

   1. Have you violated them? How so? 

3. Do you believe these sin patterns are healthy, or do you desire to change them? 

4. If you desire to change, in what ways have you tried to resolve this in the past? 

   1. What emotions have arisen as you have confessed these unhealthy patterns to God and others? 

   2. Have you sought God’s forgiveness? 

5. What actions can you take to receive freedom from these influences? 

6. Are there any lies you believe about God’s Word, your identity in Christ, or God’s promises to you that may be influenced by sexual sin?  

Connected Influences: Adultery, bestiality, bisexuality, defilement, erotica, fantasy, lust, fornication, homosexuality, incest, incubus, lesbianism, habitual masturbation, pedophile, perversion, pornography, promiscuity, prostitution (harlotry), sexual assault (rape, molestation), seduction, sexual abuse, succubus, uncleanness, voyeurism. 

Scriptural Truth:  

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) 

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:5-6) 

“The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:12-14) 

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21) 

“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”(1 Corinthians 6:18-20) 

How to Pray for Breakthrough from Sexual Sin:

You may pray aloud, using each step below:

1. REALIZE: "Lord, I confess (negative influence) is an area that limits my walk with You. Would You show me the first time I experienced this?"

   
   

2. RELEASE: "Lord, who I need to forgive for influencing this in my life. I choose to forgive (name of person) for (what they did or failed to do). It made me feel (share your emotions with the Lord). I release them from any debt they owe me and repent for judging them. I choose to bless them."

   1. "Lord, do I need to forgive myself for how I responded to this negative influence?”

   2. "Lord, am I holding onto judgment or unmet expectations of You because of this negative influence?"

      
      

3. REPENT & RENOUNCE: "I repent of partnering with (negative influence). In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce my agreement with (negative influence). I choose to hand this to You.”

   1. Lord, I also renounce my agreement with (any connected negative influences).

      
      

4. RECEIVE: "Lord, what do You want to give me in exchange for the negative influence I have given You?"

   1. What truth do You want me to walk in, based on Your Word, Your promises to me, and my identity in Christ?" (Write down and give thanks for the truths that you received from the Lord!)

You can break free from every negative influence present in your life! If you want to go deeper into the spiritual and emotional wholeness that God has for you, check out my book, Encountering Abba’s Heart, or use the purchase link below.

Encountering Abba's Heart