Verses to memorize for help combatting sexual temptation

Whenever, Christian, you have achieved a victory over your lusts–whenever after hard struggling, you have laid a temptation dead at your feet–you have in that hour a foretaste of the joy that awaits you when the Lord shall shortly tread Satan under your feet, and you shall find yourself more than conqueror through him who has loved you. – Charles Spurgeon (modernized language)

It is a fact of life that most men (and many women) battle against sexual temptation (though some don’t “battle” against it, but rather simply “float downstream”).

God has prescribed the way that He wants His children to live. He tests each of our hearts (not just what is on the outside). Here is what He expects to find:

1 Chronicles 29:17a

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity

Not only is He pleased with integrity, but Jesus even said several times in the Scriptures, that He expects anyone who follows Him (Christians) to deny themselves, rather than to “give-in” to themselves:

Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.“

He wants us to put Him first, not our own evil desires. We need to have the attitude of John the Baptist:

John 3:30

He must become greater; I must become less.

So, to help us along in our quest for holiness, I have listed some verses for you to memorize to help you resist sexual temptation. The Psalmist stated the benefits of memorizing Scripture:

Psalms 119:11

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

The benefit is clear: “that I might not sin against” God.

I have memorized each of these passages myself and have found them to be of great benefit

Let’s start off the list with one that states God’s mandate very clearly and directly:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Let me provide a very simple definition of sexual immorality:

Any sexual gratification one gets from a source other than your spouse (in a biblical marriage consisting of one man and one woman).

Therefore, sexual immorality may include, among other things, pornography (or even feature films that portray sex between people on screen), masturbation, roving eyes / looking with lust at those in your eyesight, adultery, pre-marital sex or post-marital sex (A.K.A. fornication), co-habitation which includes pre-marital sex, homosexuality, impure thoughts, flirting, fantasizing about the possibility of sex with someone other than your spouse, etc.

So, the passage above (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) tells me that I am not my own. I can’t just do whatever I want with my body. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. He is living in me and sees everything I do. Which leads me to the next verse:

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

He sees all and we will have to give account for all He sees. As Ray Comfort commented, “What happens in Vegas stays in God’s mind until Judgment Day.”

Ecclesiastes 12:14

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Romans 14:12

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Am I saying that you’ll be thrown into hell for committing an act of sexual immorality? No. When you were saved, you were justified. All sins, past, present and future were paid for by Jesus’ shed blood on the cross. Yet, we as believers are expected to behave in a way that is “worthy of our calling” (Eph. 4:1). Sexual immorality is definitely not worthy of our calling!

God takes sexual immorality – especially the physical act of adultery (or fornication) – very seriously. So seriously, in fact in the Old Covenant with Israel, the penalty for adultery was the death sentence for both involved parties:

Deuteronomy 22:22

If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

However, sexual immorality is not an external, behavioral issue only (such as adultery). This sin starts in the mind with our own evil desires:

James 1:13-16

Let no one say when he is tempted, ” I am being tempted by God “; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin ; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus raised the standard of purity so that no one can escape the charge of guilt in this matter:

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said to those 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.

Jesus is seeking obedience from those that call Him Lord:

Luke 6:46

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?“

Don’t be a hypocrite, one day calling Jesus Lord and then another day, committing sexual sin.

Job was a godly man and was certainly aware of this standard as he strove to avoid lust in this way:

Job 31:1

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman.

Apparently, Job was successful in this covenant if you look at the way v9-11 of chapter 31 are worded:

Job 31:9-11

If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been shameful, a sin to be judged.

Daniel was also a godly man, living in exile, in the midst of a vile, wicked, depraved and idolatrous culture. In the beginning of the account, we see his resolution:

Daniel 1:8-9

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel

Have you resolved not to defile yourself by what your eyes consume? Daniel’s strong resolution here ought to challenge and inspire us to do the same. By resolving, he had made up his mind what he was going to do when he was put in that situation. Don’t just wait until that moment of temptation comes to decide what you’re going to do. If that is your approach, you will fail. Rather resolve ahead of time what steps you’re going to take to avoid defiling yourself in sexual sin.

David, a man after God’s own heart, a man acquainted with moral failure (see 2 Samuel 11), resolved both to live a life of integrity and not to let sin come through his eyes:

Psalms 101:2b-3

I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them.

We need our minds renewed by Scripture so that we no longer conform to the pattern of this world, which is so full of sexual temptation:

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Many of these passages can be summed up in this wise counsel from the Apostle Paul:

Romans 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

What have you done to “make no provision” for your flesh? There are many practices and safeguards that one can implement, but the one thing we should all be doing is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ daily – that is the number one strategy in this battle. Don’t make it easy for your flesh to gratify its evil desires!

And, yes, this is absolutely a battle! It is not a battle against flesh and blood, but at the core it is a spiritual battle:

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

And since it is a spiritual battle, it needs to be fought with spiritual weapons from God:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.

Have you ever considered that when we are committing sexual sin, at that moment, we don’t fear God? Think about that… Even one of the thieves on the cross next to Jesus asked the other thief if he feared God, because it was evident by the way he was talking that he didn’t:

Luke 23:40

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?“

Unknowingly, the first thief was affirming a great truth of Scripture, often repeated:

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

And:

Isaiah 8:13

Do not fear anything except the LORD Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear him, you need fear nothing else.

Jesus told His disciples to fear God because of His ability to throw them into hell:

Luke 12:4-5

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.“

So, yes, the fear of God is a healthy attitude to have and can keep us from committing sexual sin!

Scripture also states that sin will hinder your prayers:

Psalms 66:18

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

Do you stumble into sin? Or do you cherish sin? Our goal should be to avoid both, but worse by far is the one who cherishes (or relishes) sin.

Isaiah echoes the same sentiment about our sin causing separation from God. In the context of the following passage, God was speaking to His “people and to the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 58:1):

Isaiah 59:1-2

Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem — your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

But God gave us the solution for having our prayers heard again:

2 Chronicles 7:14

If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

The essence of that phrase “seek My face and turn from their wicked ways” is the concept of repentance! There is no change and no transformation without repentance – and God commands it!

Acts 17:30

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

By the way, after reading this blog, you can no longer claim ignorance.

In the midst of admonishing believers not to argue over foolish and stupid things, the apostle Paul talked about people who are held captive by the devil to do his will:

2 Timothy 2:26

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

As believers, we ought not be held captive by anyone or anything except Jesus Christ (since we are His slaves). We are told specifically:

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Additionally, we as believers ought to be discerning enough and acquainted enough with our own depravity to know what situations, places and people put us into temptation, and that we need to avoid those:

Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

We ought to be able to see the danger ahead and take refuge:

Proverbs 27:12

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

In addition to pondering where you go and what situations you put yourself into, you need to be intentional about your thoughts:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

And:

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Sexual temptation requires much more than casual action, it requires drastic action on our parts! Though we may be “pondering the path of our feet” and thinking about “whatever is pure”, we are still “in the world” (John 17:14-16) and therefore it is possible, with the best of intentions, that we may find ourselves in a tempting situation. The following verse tells me what to do when I encounter anything that stimulates lust – RUN!!!

2 Timothy 2:22

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts

It is also encouraging me who to hang out with – that’s really important too.

As usual, Jesus ratchets up the response even more with His teaching on how to deal with sin:

Matthew 18:8-9
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

The eye and the hand are certainly used to commit much sexual sin… Jesus is not advocating self mutilation here, but this is to be understood as instructing us to take whatever actions are necessary to limit our access to those people, places, situations and technologies that give us opportunities to sin.

Another passage that is terrifying when you consider what is being said in it is this:

Hebrews 10:26-27

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.

Does that mean that if we continue to sin at all after having been saved, there we will experience the wrath of God? Well, it depends. One who is truly saved will not continue in an unrepentant pattern of sin for an extended period of time. I consider this a warning for us as believers to examine ourselves:

2 Corinthians 13:5a

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

This should be a regular practice of all believers, to examine your life critically and see if it represents the life of a true born again Bible believing Christian.

The following passage is one of the key passages when it comes to sexual immorality:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God

Not many places in Scripture tell you explicitly what God’s will is – the above passage is one of them. This passage tells me that I need to learn to control my own body. That tells me that it is not “natural” to control my body. I have to go against what feels natural and control my body. Likewise, Paul says:

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Yes, this requires discipline. It is a spiritual battle and therefore demands your daily and even hourly attention so that you do not get caught off guard! In fact elsewhere Paul reminds us to be on our guard:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.

The Scriptures contain many other such warnings. For example, the apostle Peter warns us to be on our guard, using different words:

1 Peter 5:8

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself even strongly admonished His disciples to keep alert, but added prayer as a way to gain victory over temptation:

Matthew 26:41
Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!

So, how much sexual immorality is acceptable for the child of God?

Ephesians 5:3-6

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater –has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

The above passage even speaks of God’s wrath as a consequence of these type of behaviors. You don’t want to go there…

The passage below has really helped me. It tells me that as a regenerated follower of Jesus Christ, I do in fact have the power and ability to not let sin reign in my body or to obey my body’s evil desires. What an encouragement that is!

Romans 6:12-14

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

The above passage refers to “parts of your body”, other translations use the word “members”.  Obviously, your “members”, your body parts, include the sexual organs.  Those parts of your body should be reserved for use in an intimate way only with a member of the opposite sex to whom you are currently married.  The passage also raises the question about who you’re letting reign, in other words, who are you serving? Jesus told us you can’t serve two masters:

Luke 16:13

“No servant can serve two masters ; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.“

While the above verse is about money, the same principle applies to your illicit sexual desires.

You know that if you ask some people about why they continue to fall into sexual temptation, they’ll claim that that’s just the way God made them. They have these desires and they were meant to be fulfilled. That is human logic – that’s the way of thinking that “seems right”:

Proverbs 14:12 (&16:25)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

But that way of thinking really leads to death.

The following verse from Proverbs teaches that our behavior is a visible manifestation of our relationship with (and thoughts about) the LORD:

Proverbs 14:2

He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

This directly ties “upright” behavior to fearing the LORD and “perverse” behavior to despising Him.

Next are some words from Jesus that hit me like a ton of bricks:

John 3:19-20
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

These words are powerful because, in this passage the “light” which has come into the world IS JESUS. So, when it says “everyone who does evil hates the light”, its saying that everyone who does evil hates Jesus! Wow.

Here is a good one from Paul:

Titus 2:11-13

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

This one tells us that God’s grace actually teaches us to “just say no!” to “ungodliness and worldly passions” – that would certainly include lust and sexual sin. But it doesn’t only tell us what to say no to, but it also tells us how to live: “self-controlled, upright and godly lives”. That is a picture of holy living. Notice the phrase “self-controlled”. According to this passage, you have the ability to control your participation in these forms of behavior.

Then, there is the most concentrated teaching on worldliness in all of God’s word:

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Notice – this passage talks about 2 things that are directly related to lust and sexual sin: “the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes”. If anyone “loves” this kind of stuff, the love of the Father is not in him. By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, we need to distance ourselves and reject these kind of worldly affections!

John MacArthur, in his excellent sermon on Romans 7:14-25 says that one of the categories of sin is the “sin of remembrance”. Sometimes, the mind of the believer will wander back to ponder some past sin. We must not allow ourselves to fall into that trap. Peter admonishes us:

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

Later on in the same letter, he encourages with the example of Christ Jesus’ suffering:

1 Peter 4:1-5

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do–living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Notice, that we are not to live the rest of our earthly lives for “evil human desires” – this includes many things. He goes on to list some of those evil human desires: “debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry“. He ends up the passage by indicating that those who live like this will “have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead“. If these behaviors are the impenitent, pattern of your life, it indicates you are not saved.

Then, this one from the author of 1 Kings regarding the prophet Elijah’s challenge to the people to “get off the fence“!

1 Kings 18:21

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

How is this applicable to illicit sexual desire? Just replace the phrase “if Baal is God, follow him” with “if [your sexual desire] is God, follow [it]”. That is what we’re doing when we’re giving in to sexual sin – we’re making it our God. Don’t do that!

Did you know that whenever you’re tempted to sin sexually, God will show you a way out? This is an iron-clad promise – you can take it to the bank. The following passage tells us not to be over confident when you’re in a season of strong obedience, but that we should be careful. Then it explains that we’re in the same boat with others:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

Praise the Lord that He is faithful, and that He will not let the temptation become too strong!  I would highly recommend that you read this wonderful article by Scott Hubbard of Desiring God:

Sin is Never Inevitable: How to Escape Overwhelming Temptation

Additionally, this is another good set of articles: 

An Open Letter to Those Nonchalant about Their Sexual Sin

An Open Letter to Those Debilitated by Their Sexual Sin

Jesus was once asked what was the essential or most important teaching in the old testament:

Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.“

Notice that He summed up all the expectations of the believer into 2 concepts – Love God and Love others. We cannot do those 2 things while committing sexual sin!

The following verse may not seem to be related to sexual temptation:

Romans 1:25

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.

But if you think about it, your sexual desire is a created thing. If you worship and serve it (especially in an illicit manner), you are exchanging the truth of God for a lie…

Sometimes, you’ve gotta follow Jesus’ example and just tell Satan to “get lost” if you’re being harassed:

Matthew 4:10

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’“

But notice – we not only should be telling Satan to get lost, but we need to be worshiping the Lord our God and serving Him only!

There is a favorite verse of many people that says:

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Again, what does this have to do with sexual immorality and sexual temptation? Well, if you think of it, you’ll realize that your behavior in the world affects God’s reputation in the world, either positively or negatively. But your behavior does not change whether He exists or whether He is glorious or good. So, if you are behaving in an immoral way you are bringing God into disrepute. Then it can be said of you, as in Romans 2:24 – “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Serious stuff! Don’t do it – you love God too much for that!

Finally, the passage that has been most helpful to me in battling sexual temptation is:

Matthew 23:24-28
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

The reason this passage is so powerful for me is that, as a Christian leader and teacher, I receive those words from Jesus as directly applying to me. Especially the finishing line which says “on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness”. That one cuts to the heart. Jesus knows what’s “on the inside” – no one else does. I may be able to fool other people, but I can never fool Jesus. Jesus hated hypocrisy with a holy hatred – probably more than anything else. This chapter records the greatest rebuke he ever delivered regarding sin – the sin of hypocrisy. And sexual sin in the life of a believer makes that person a hypocrite, professing one thing with your lips, but thinking and behaving in opposition to that. So, when I hear Jesus’s rebuke directed at me, my unrighteous desires immediately melt away – its like pouring cold water over me. Paul gives us some very good counsel about how we should be viewing our Christian walk:

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Notice that we already have these promises (that he’d been talking about in the prior chapters – especially chapter 5). So, we are not avoiding sexual sin in order to get saved, but rather, now that we are saved (we have these promises), we are to live in a holy manner. Why? “Out of reverence for God”.

Brothers and sisters, I pray that you are convicted and cut to the heart like I am and that you would memorize each one of these passages so that you might be led away from sin when you’re at the moment of temptation. Remember God always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13) if we are willing to take it. He is faithful and will protect you from the evil one:

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Appendix

Additional Verses

Galatians 5:24

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

John 8:34

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

Romans 8:13

for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die ; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Psalms 119:9

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

Psalms 141:4

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

Psalms 86:11

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Psalms 119:37

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Psalms 23:3

he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Titus 1:15-16

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Galatians 5:19-21

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars –their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Titus 3:3-7

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

John 8:31-32

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.“

Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Romans 7:18-19, 7:24-25a,

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing…Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

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. 

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Hebrews 2:18

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Colossians 3:5-6

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

Hebrews 13:4

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Ephesians 4:17-21

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!– assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus

Galatians 5:16-17

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh ; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

2 Timothy 3:4b-5a

lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power

1 Timothy 5:1b-2

Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Answer.

There is a common misconception that Satan is in charge of hell and that he and his demons live there and use their pitchforks to torment souls for eternity. This concept has no basis in Scripture whatsoever. In fact, Satan will be one of the tormented in the lake of fire, not the tormentor (Revelation 20:10).

Where does the idea that Satan is the master of hell come from, if not from the Bible? Much of the false thinking may come from Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy and John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Many other works of art, and literary pieces such as Dan Brown’s novel Inferno, follow Dante’s lead and picture Satan as the one in charge of hell.

Dante’s poem describes the brutal descent of sinners into the underworld. Dante journeys through different levels of hell and purgatory and eventually arrives in paradise. The poem itself was an amalgamation of myths, Catholic ideas (like purgatory), and Islamic traditions about Muhammad’s “night of ascension” (lailat al-miraj). Dante’s medieval view of hell is influenced more by the Qur’an than the Bible.

Dante’s literary vision of hell is depicted by Botticelli in his painting Map of Hellas a subterranean funnel of suffering—a wretched underground landscape of fire, brimstone, sewage, and monsters, with Satan himself waiting at its core. It’s all very disturbing, and effective as a work of art, but it is based on the imaginations of men, not the Word of God.

Satan is not the ruler of hell. It is God who is in charge. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that can do no more. . . . Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:4–5). Jesus is referring to God here. He alone has the power to throw someone into hell. Who holds the keys of death and Hades? Jesus has absolute control over that domain (Revelation 1:18).

The lake of fire, mentioned only in Revelation 19:20 and 20:10, 14–15, is the final place of punishment for all unrepentant rebels, both angelic and human (Matthew 25:41). The universal punishment for all who reject Jesus Christ as Savior is to be “thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). The Bible speaks of hell as a place of “outer darkness” where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12; 22:13, ESV). Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life should have no fear of this terrible fate. By faith in Christ and His shed blood, we are destined to live eternally in the presence of God.

Satan does not rule hell or lead his demons in tormenting those who are banished there. In fact, the Bible does not say that Satan has been to hell yet. Rather, “eternal fire” is awaiting Satan; the place was originally created to punish Satan and the demons (Matthew 25:41), not to give them a kingdom to rule.

Until Satan is condemned and thrown into the pit forever, he spends his time between heaven (Job 1:6–12) and earth (1 Peter 5:8). He will not always have freedom of movement, and he knows it. “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12).

Faith and feelings have nothing in common. Never measure your faith by your feelings. Measure your faith always with the Word of God. If you believe the Bible, you have all the faith you need. The Bible is your faith. You don’t need any more faith than you can find in the Word of God, and God doesn’t require you to use more. He put everything you need in the Bible, but you must
use it.

Faith is a gift of God, freely given; there is no reason why you should have a shortage of it in your life. When you tie His hands with unbelief, the Lord cannot bring healing. When you doubt His promises, when you use your own opinions instead of His, God cannot move for you; you are not accepting what thus saith the Lord. Use the faith that God has given to you. God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

Debbie McDaniel

At the end of every day, there’s nothing better we can do but to bring all we’ve carried through the day straight to Him. Praying before we go to bed helps us lay down our worries and cares.

Maybe many times, we’re so weary or busy, we forget to even give God thanks for the way He’s been faithfully at work in our lives and in those we love. Or often we may find that it’s hard to fully let go of our burdens, so we carry the worries and stress straight to bed with us. We hold on to the wounds and hurt feelings. We wrestle for sleep but can’t seem to turn off the spinning thoughts of to-do lists, schedules, and what we still need to get done for tomorrow.

God’s very presence and the truth of His word are the only things that can bring deep peace to our souls. The peace He gives is the kind of peace the world can’t offer, the kind of peace that doesn’t make sense even to our own minds. May He remind you right now that you are never alone, that He knows your way, and He has a plan. He’s right there with you, both now and in all your tomorrows too.

Come to Him with your troubles. May God lift all burdens of anxiety from your shoulders. Where you’ve been filled with doubt, may He replace it with faith. Where you’ve been filled with racing thoughts, may He replace it with calm.

Whatever’s pressing on our minds and hearts tonight, may God give us the strength to lay it down, and fill us with His peace.

We can rest assured, knowing, believing He holds it all in His hands.

Here are 10 prayers you can pray before going to bed:

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1. Release Your Anxieties to Him.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Dear God,

We come before you and we thank you for this day and all that it’s brought our way, the good things and the hard things too. Sometimes after a full day with pressures and stress, our hearts feel heavy with all we’re still carrying. Thank you that within it all, you’ve reminded us again how much you love us and are always with us. We pray that you would help us to leave all our cares and worries with you right now. May your power and rest fill us fresh. May the presence of your Spirit breathe hope deep into our souls, even as we sleep.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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2. Pray God would bring you His perfect peace. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

We thank you, Father God, for your word that reminds us you never sleep or slumber. You are always watching out for us and your great care is constantly covering our home and family. We ask for your mighty power to surround us. We ask for you to take away any fears or anxious thoughts tonight, and that you would bring your perfect peace, the peace that goes far beyond our own understanding, to guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. We lay our burdens before you, every single one, for we know they’re much safer in your hands than our own.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

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3. Pray for the rest and refreshing of your mind. 

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Dear Lord,

It’s been a long day. I feel battle-weary, exhausted, and I can’t stop my mind from rehearsing all of today’s circumstances. Would you please help me to rest in you and to stop overthinking every situation. You already know the answers to every problem and difficulty I’m facing, you already know my way, and you have a plan worked through. Thank you for your great Sovereignty and your presence with me. So as I close my eyes tonight, would you please calm my heart, still my racing thoughts, and remind me that you’ve got this thing that concerns me right now. Renew me with your strength as I sleep, fill me with your Spirit’s wisdom and understanding for every decision I will face tomorrow. I choose to place my hope and trust in you, Father God. I believe you will give me all that I need to run this race of life again tomorrow, in your power and grace.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

4. Entrust God with your loved ones. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Father God, we pray for all those we love, our family, our friends, and we ask that you would show each of them your great love and care in amazing ways. We thank you Lord that nothing is too big or small for you to care about. You know all that concerns us, and you remind us that you are fighting for us, even as we sleep, even in ways we may not always see. We love you and we’re so grateful for your promise to always be with us. All these things we bring to you, and thank you that you are at work, and answering even now, as we close our eyes and sleep in your peace.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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5. Pray for God’s provision and direction. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Dear God,

We ask that you would provide for our needs even as we sleep. When money feels tight, and budgets don’t seem to work out on paper, please remind us that you are not limited by what we can see. When we feel like we’re facing dead-ends and road-blocks, would you remind us again that you are far greater than any obstacles we may face. We pray for your huge grace and favor over our lives and our loved ones. We pray that even when we’re unaware, you’d be opening doors, clearing pathways, closing the wrong roads, and setting up our way for tomorrow. We ask you for your blessings to cover us, that you would make every plan you’ve birthed in our hearts to succeed at just the right time. Help us to trust you when the way feels unclear, help us to hear your voice clearly, and to see your ways unfolded before us.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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6. Rest in God’s forgiveness and renewal. 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Forgive us God for the times we missed the mark today. Forgive us for the times we tried hard to do things all in our own strength, getting too easily distracted, or forgetting our need for you. Forgive us for letting fear and impatience control us, or for allowing pride and selfishness to dictate our choices. Forgive us for not following your ways, or for being too busy to spend time in your presence. We recognize, once again, how very much we need you, and we want to have a closer walk with you. Please cleanse our hearts and renew our minds in you, as we lay it all to rest, and try again tomorrow. We thank you that you are a God of fresh starts, and your compassions are new every morning.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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7. Ask God to fill your sleep with healing and rest. 

“…for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2)

Dear God,

I feel like I’ve been giving to everyone around me all day. The needs often feel so great and the time seems too short to get everything done I need to do. Thank you Lord, for the refreshment of your Spirit, for you alone can fill us again and restore our souls even as we sleep. I ask that when the hours feel too brief, when bedtime is late and the wake-up call is coming early, that you would please multiply the hours of sleep to help us feel strengthened and renewed for tomorrow. We ask for your peace, your healing, your comfort, your mercy, and your goodness, to surround our home and be extended to all those we love. Thank you for your great care over us.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

Photo Credit: Antonio Guillem/Thinkstock

8. Pray for faith over fear. 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’ He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge…” (Psalm 91:1-2, 4)

Dear Lord,

We believe you are close, and your protection is more powerful than we could ever imagine. Thank you that you constantly remind us we never have to be afraid, in the day or the night. So we choose to put our trust in you right now, we choose faith over fear, as we lay our heads down to sleep. We need the peace and security that only you can give to soothe our hearts and spirits. We pray for good dreams, for your blessings to surround in every way. We thank you that you cover us in your care, and station your angels all around.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

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9. Allow Him to receive your hurt. 

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

Dear Lord,

We’re hurting. Thank you that we are never invisible to you, but you see all, and you understand. This pain we’ve been carrying feels too great. The uncertainty over the future can easily fill our minds with fear and bring huge worry to our hearts. Please take away this burden so we can sleep peacefully in your care. We thank you that you are close and that you’re always with us. We pray for your healing and your huge grace to encircle us as never before. We ask for your angels of protection and comfort to surround us in the night. Thank you that you are our Redeemer and you will never waste this painful season.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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10. Pray for hope and peace, remembering His promises. 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:1-6)

Dear God,

We thank you that your promises are true, and your words bring hope and peace. We pray these words back to you right now and we ask you to help us sleep soundly in your care. Thank you that you are our shepherd and you will provide all that we need. Thank you that you bring peace and calm, even in the midst of difficult times, and you faithfully lead us to places of security under your protective hand. We know we never have to fear, for you are always with us. Thank you that goodness and love follow us every day of our lives, and we will dwell with your forever.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Leisa Baysinger

In Hebrew, the word for faith, emunah (אֱמוּנָה), goes far beyond intellectual belief. Where English “faith” often stops at mental agreement, emunah unfolds as mutual trust, manifested loyalty, and steadfastness. It shapes every breath and decision, turning thought into ACTION and daily obedience. It is walking out (actions) that which you already know is truth. It is NOT guess work! Most people do not understand that to walk in faith over any situation means that you have already accepted that the matter is “truth” in your eyes. For example: let’s just say that you pray for rain, so that you can plant seeds in a garden. If you are in a state of emunah – then the next step is that you buy your seeds and start plowing the field. You get everything ready because you know that the rain is coming. You do not second guess the situation – you just jump right into action. This is emunah. 

Let’s delve into this word emunah.

Emunah springs from the root א-מ-נ (aman), which means “to support,” “to confirm,” or “to be faithful.” From this root comes amen (“so be it,” an affirmation of truth), oman (“craftsman,” one whose skill deepens through practice), ne’eman (“faithful, trustworthy”), and amanah (“covenantal bond of loyalty”). Together they show that emunah is active trust, like an artisan refining a masterpiece through patient work. The more we practice faith the more faith we will have. 

In ancient Hebrew thinking, knowing and believing were intertwined. As Hebrew In Israel explains, ידע (yedi’a) – “to know” – was experiential, and אמונָה (emunah) was trust proven through deeds. Faith wasn’t a blind leap but a steady walk founded on firsthand encounters with God’s faithfulness.

The Tanakh brims with emunah in action. Genesis 15:6 tells how “Abraham believed (he’emin) in the LORD, and it was counted to him for righteousness,” a trust anchored in divine promise. Exodus 14:31 records Israel turning from fear to belief in Adonai and Moses, after witnessing deliverance. In Exodus 17:12, Moses’ raised hands remain steady through battle, a picture of endurance. Psalm 33:4 declares that God Himself works in emunah, showing faithfulness as part of His very nature.

When the writers of the Renewed Covenant chose to use the Greek word pistis, they imported this depth of trust. Yeshua called His followers to walk beside Him – “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19) – inviting ongoing trust rather than mere agreement. James insists that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17), echoing the Hebrew conviction that true emunahmust be lived out. Hebrews 11 celebrates those whose faith persevered under trial; highlighting obedience, hope, and courage.

Faith is not being irrational but it is built on the evidence of God’s proven character. Emunah is not a leap into darkness but a confident step, because the person has already seen God’s faithfulness.

Listen, I can’t speak for anyone else – only me. I struggle with this type of faith. Imagine that you are walking down a long flight of steps in little to no light. My first response would be – “I’m not taking another step until I can see better.” This is how we operate in the natural, but it shouldn’t be how we operate in the spiritual. Emunah would say, “I don’t have to see the steps, I just know that they are there and that when I take the first step, the next step will appear, until I safely reach the bottom’. God doesn’t promise to show us all the steps, we just need to take the first step. He will be there. Fear sets in for me and I often start second guessing myself, with questions like – “God, did you really say that? Was that you are just my imagination? Did I hear correctly? What if I am wrong? What then?” All of these doubts enter my mind. Am I alone in these feelings? Emunahis knowing and believing tied together as one. As stated already, walking in this kind of faith takes practice. The more you “fine-tune” walking in faith, the easier it will become. I earnestly pray continually to do better. 

To walk in emunah is to weave trust into every part of life, to obey when it costs, to endure in hardship, to worship in uncertainty. It means cultivating prayer that leans on His presence, study that uncovers His heart, and worship that echoes His worth. In every detail of life, emunah becomes visible, a testimony of trust in the God who calls us to know Him, believe Him, and walk by His steadfast love. We walk beside Him. He has us! He is with us every step of the way, and should our foot stumble, He will be there to catch us and get us back on steady ground. My honest prayer is that one day, at my demise, that I would leave behind a legacy of emunah for my children and grandchildren. Lord, help me to walk in emunah!