Name: Every Man's Battle
Rating: 3 (282 reviews)
Author: Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey

What’s in it for me? Break your bad habits and become pure.

For Christian men, it often feels like temptation is everywhere.

No matter how strong your faith, and no matter how much you love your wife, it’s hard to ignore what’s around you: provocative ads, the attractive women you encounter each day, and porn that’s available 24/7.

If you feel you’re alone in your struggle – know that you’re not.

And if you feel like there’s something wrong with you – there isn’t.

While you shouldn’t feel ashamed of your urges, if you’re a Christian, you should want to change.

In this Blink, you’ll learn some simple, practical ways to break unhelpful sexual habits. And as part of the process, you’ll discover how to rekindle the spark with your wife.

Keep in mind that this Blink contains some explicit content. You can’t tackle the issue unless you face it openly and honestly.

So, if you’re ready for some frank discussion, and a bit of self-reflection, let’s get into it …

Christians should aim for sexual purity

As a man, you can’t help but look. When an attractive woman jogs past, or your co-worker wears a low-cut top, of course you’re going to notice.

Maybe you look at porn too, and try to justify it to yourself afterwards. Surely it’s not that bad. Or is it?

Before we answer that question, let’s take a moment to acknowledge something. Yes, it’s normal for men to look at women – to seek sexual gratification from a visual source.

We’re wired that way. The sight of nudity, or even just the hint of nudity, goes straight to the pleasure center in our brains. While women are stimulated by touch and relationships, men are visual creatures.

So, it’s natural to eye up that attractive jogger. And it’s natural to get turned on by the sight of a woman in lingerie, whether or not she’s your wife.

But just because it’s natural, that doesn’t make it right. As Christians, we should be holding ourselves to a higher standard – God’s standard.

In other words, the goal is sexual purity.

You may be wondering what that means in practical terms.

Well, it means you should get your sexual gratification from your wife – and only your wife. No one else, and nothing else.

So no, you can’t ogle other women, or masturbate, or look at porn and tell yourself it’s okay. When it comes to sexual purity, the Bible is clear. There are no exceptions, and there’s no middle ground.

In the New Testament, there are countless references to God’s standard of purity. According to Corinthians, the body isn’t meant for sexual immorality – it’s intended for Lord God and His work. And in Matthew, Jesus says that simply looking at a woman with desire is a form of adultery.

These are just two of many examples. So, as you can see, there’s no ambiguity. God wants us to avoid any kind of sexual immorality, and be pure in our thoughts, words and actions.

But even with the best intentions, it can be hard for Christians to stick to these standards.

We live in a sex-obsessed society. And we have access to a plethora of images and videos, 24 hours a day. With your smartphone in hand, how do you resist the urge to look?

Well, it’s not easy. But with willpower and persistence, any man can win the battle.

Let’s explore how you can improve your defenses for the battle you face every day.

Use your brain’s neuroplasticity to break bad habits

Let’s begin by looking at a case study.

Ethan was a happily married father and Christian who spent Mondays at home with his toddler daughter. Around lunchtime, when his daughter took a nap – he’d feel drawn towards the computer for a session of porn and masturbation.

Key ideas in Every Man's Battle