Mark,

You have a struggle that many a man faces. What things have you done to avert such sin? Most use what I call a "white knuckle approach." They get before God pray, "repent," and then hope they make it through. They make it for a while but sooner or later their knuckles tire and they give in.

In dealing with any sin the first thing I do (1) get before God and throughly discuss the situation with every passage of Scripture that can be found on the subject (2) ask God to bring me to His repentance in the area and faith towards Him (items 1 & 2 may take weeks and not just a day or two) (3) I continue to renew my mind with the truth (the original Scriptures I went to God with) ...

When I do not see results (normally I do) I know that I have missed something in the repentance area. That is I am still hanging on to something in the flesh that is over riding my obedience to God. Thus, it is time for re-examination. What I find most of the time is my pride and selfishnesses pitied against God's sovereignty and glory. I find that I do not love God to the fullness I should. I find I do not trust Him as much as I think I do. Repentance then brings me to a newer and deeper relationship....this is an ongoing process. In many ways I believe God allows this (no I am not saying this to justify ANY sin) so we will see the depths of our depravity and so we will see the glory of His grace and the victory and deliverance of His Word in time. In other words that we will know beyond any doubt that it was He and not us that delivered...

Reformed and Always Reforming,