In my previous articles, I have often shared various Scripture passages to help us deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. In this article, I’d specifically like to share five more Scripture passages that can serve as armor against sexual temptations and sin (they certainly did and do for me).
Romans 6:12-14 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
This first passage is particularly important to pray upon following the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We are given grace and it’s important to embrace it. Due to the sacrament, forgiveness is granted to us and therefore the past should remain exactly that—the past. I really like the last verse and suggest we remember this truth: sin does not have dominion over us because we are under the law of grace. Simple, but profound.
Hebrews 4:15-16 – “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Often we delay going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation out of shame. This is a trick I think Satan plays on us, deliberately using a weakness of ours to prevent us from obtaining the mercy, forgiveness, and grace our Lord wants to give us.
If you find yourself struggling with motivation to overcome shame and partake in this healing Sacrament then the above verse from Hebrews is helpful, imploring us to go boldly to the throne of grace in our time of need!
James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
The first year of my recovery was also a time of trouble professionally and personally, causing temptations to occur often. But knowing that I would be counted as “blessed” was a powerful incentive to remain fixed to the Lord throughout that tough season of my life.
Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard it said of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
For spouses who struggle with lust, this passage from Matthew is harsh but true. It was a passage that I often read as I struggled emotionally with relapses and, later, as I started a new romance that eventually led to marriage (I shared my past sexual sins with her before we were married). I found it to be a sobering thought and good motivation to strive to be chaste.
Luke 9:23 – “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”
This final Scripture passage is great when in need of perseverance. All of us struggle as we continue our recovery but I take comfort in recognizing that I am not alone in carrying my cross and in following Christ. It is a good reminder that I must continue to deny the sexual and/or sinful temptations of my old life as I follow Jesus.
I’ve shared five Scripture passages that can serve as armor against sexual temptations and sin. However, the Bible is filled with many more that you might find personally more helpful or illuminating than these. That’s why I would encourage you to create your own “top five” list of Scripture passages as well (consider verses Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, and 2 Timothy 2:22 to start!).
Interested in learning more about Catholic saints related to addiction? Pray the CIR Novena with us, asking for the intercession of several patrons saints for those struggling with addiction, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments (including alcoholism, drug addiction, compulsive overeating, anorexia, bulimia, pornography/sex addiction, codependency, adult children of alcoholics, and many others) as well as their loved ones. Receive emails over the next nine days with a short meditation on a recovery-related saint and a prayer by signing up for the CIR Novena today!
Aaron Walter is a lifelong Catholic and former porn addict whose ministry, NewMenRising, is dedicated to pornography addiction recovery. He is a coach, mentor, and accountability partner and is passionate about helping husbands kick their addiction and transform their lives and relationships. You can connect with him at calendly.com/aaronwaltercoachingsessions.