How to Reset Your Mind When You’re Feeling Tempted
Temptation can come in a moment but can take time to dissipate, especially sexual temptation.
So when we’re experiencing temptation and we know we don’t want to go down that road, what are practical steps we can implement to avoid stumbling?
First, we can be encouraged that the writers of Scripture were all too familiar with the lingering draw of sexual sin, which is why they repeatedly command us to “flee.” (You can read more about finding a way of escape in this blog).
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things…” (1 Timothy 3:11)
“Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 3:18)
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness…” (2 Timothy 2:22)
At a minimum, “fleeing” seems to mean:
Fleeing the environment
Fleeing the opportunity
Often, when I’m experiencing temptation I’ll get up and go on a prayer walk. Because I leave all technology at home when I do, this one action serves to flee both the environment (sitting at my desk) and the opportunity (leaving all technology at home).
Bonus: By praying, I’m filling my mind with the Lord instead of letting my mind continue running a muck.
Typically, I’ll also reach out to my wife and a close friend to process through not only the temptation but also the negative emotions I’m feeling below the surface that might be leading to increased sexual temptation.
The point is, I flee until the wave of temptation subsides while actively filling my mind with truth.
As we progress in our healing journey, particularly beyond the detox phase where acting out can be impulsive, we can learn an incredible amount about what our soul longs for by evaluating the circumstances surrounding temptations we face.
If I always face temptation while at home alone, maybe that’s my soul telling me it longs for deep fellowship.
If I feel sexual temptation when I’m anxious, maybe that’s my soul calling me to deeper trust in Christ and to seek better understanding of my anxiety by processing with a brother in Christ.
If I feel temptation while hopeless, maybe I need to recalibrate where I put my hope. Or maybe my soul knows I’m not living into the full potential God has for me and I need to make a pivot in my life, work etc.
In short, when temptation comes, flee until it subsides. During your “fleeing”, pursue any of the three spokes on the flywheel of recovery. As you progress toward freedom, you’ll become faster and better at diagnosing what your soul is really craving when temptation strikes. Rather than numbing your feelings with a temporary hit, you can run directly toward what your soul truly longs for.
