Stormproof Men #2: Overcoming Temptation in the Battle for Purity

Welcome back to our Stormproof Men series, based on the book Stormproof by Roger Frankhauser. Today, we’re diving deeper into the ongoing battle Christian men face between the Spirit and the flesh—particularly regarding sexual purity. Becoming a Christian equips us to overcome sin but doesn’t eliminate the temptation or our capacity to sin. This episode will equip you with practical tools and strategies to overcome temptation.

Understanding the Battle

Every Christian experiences a constant internal conflict between their sinful nature (the flesh) and the desires of the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul describes this struggle vividly, openly sharing his own frustrations and reminding us we’re not alone. This struggle impacts all areas of life, from relationships to financial decisions.

• Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT)
  “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other…”

• Romans 7:14-25 (NLT)
  “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate… Who will free me from this life dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”

You Are a Target

Recognize clearly that you are a target. The enemy actively seeks opportunities to derail your purity. Our culture offers endless temptations through media, social media, advertising, and casual interactions. Proverbs warns us explicitly of temptation’s subtlety and destructiveness.

• Proverbs 9:13-18 (NLT)
  “The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. She sits in her doorway… She calls out to men going by… ‘Come in with me,’ she urges… But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.”

Temptation often finds us without effort, making vigilance essential.

Your Struggle Is Not Unique

Many men mistakenly feel isolated, believing their temptation is uniquely difficult. This lie fosters justification and defeat. Scripture clearly reminds us our struggles are common and that God faithfully provides a way out from every temptation.

• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
  “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

• Hebrews 4:15 (NLT)
  “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”

Strategies Beyond Just “Fleeing”

While fleeing temptation is essential, it’s only one piece of a holistic approach to purity. Effective purity strategies include both proactive preparation and decisive reaction:

• Connect Regularly with God:
  Cultivate daily spiritual disciplines—prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation—to build spiritual resilience.

• Involve Others:
  Accountability matters. Regularly share your struggles with trusted friends or mentors who offer prayer, encouragement, and support.

• Control Your Thoughts:
  Purity begins internally. Intentionally replace destructive thoughts with biblical truth.

• Control Your Eyes:
  Diligently guard what you watch or see, eliminating sources that routinely lead you toward temptation.

• Flee Immediately:
  When faced directly with temptation, don’t hesitate—quickly remove yourself from the situation.

The pursuit of purity is not easy, but victory is possible through Christ. You’re not alone in this fight. Lean on God’s strength, apply biblical wisdom, and build accountability into your life.

Stormproof #3: Sexual Purity in a Sex-Saturated Culture

We’re continuing our series based on Roger Frankhauser’s book Stormproof, equipping men to pursue sexual purity in a sex-saturated culture. If you’ve missed earlier episodes, we encourage you to go back and listen, as they lay essential groundwork for today’s practical guidance. Every man who has battled for purity knows that quick-fix solutions rarely bring lasting change. Today we’ll clarify our ultimate goal, understand the source of temptations, and acknowledge the reality of facing different storms.

Defining the Target Clearly

To achieve sexual purity, we must first clearly define what it is we’re aiming for. Without a specific goal, victory is difficult. Many men approach purity with misguided targets, such as simply wanting guilt to disappear or temptation to vanish altogether. However, these incomplete goals can lead to frustration and spiritual defeat.

Consider four potential goals:

• “I want the guilt to go away.”
  This goal focuses on how we feel rather than addressing our behaviors and motivations. While God desires our freedom from guilt, He wants genuine repentance rather than temporary relief.

  2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT)
  “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

• “I want God to remove the temptation.”
  God never promised He would remove temptation from our lives. Instead, He promises to provide a way out when temptation occurs (1 Corinthians 10:13). Hoping for temptation to disappear entirely can lead to disappointment and blaming God for unmet expectations.

• “I want to say ‘no’ to the temptation.”
  Saying “no” is essential, but it cannot be our only strategy. It must be part of a broader commitment rooted in something greater than simply avoiding wrongdoing.

• “I want to honor God.” (The most effective goal)
  This target aligns with God’s purpose for our lives. Rather than focusing only on avoiding sin, we actively seek to live in ways that honor and glorify God, giving us the greatest opportunity for lasting victory.

  Romans 12:1 (NLT)
  “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

  1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (NLT)
  “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. And even though ‘I am allowed to do anything,’ I must not become a slave to anything… You can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.”

Understanding the Source of Temptation

To successfully navigate the battle for purity, we must clearly understand where temptation originates. Temptation never comes from God, and blaming Him is spiritually dangerous. Scripture describes two broad categories of temptation: objective (external) and subjective (internal).

• External temptations: These come from the world around us and the schemes of Satan, seeking opportunities to exploit our weaknesses.

• Internal temptations: These arise from our own sinful desires and inclinations.

  James 1:13-16 (NLT)
  “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

Recognizing these sources empowers us to respond wisely and proactively to temptation.

Facing the Storms Ahead

As we pursue sexual purity, we’ll encounter varying degrees of spiritual storms. Ignoring warnings or underestimating these storms leads to spiritual vulnerability. Roger Frankhauser describes these storms in escalating intensity:

• Rain Showers: Mild temptations we encounter daily.

• Severe Storms: Significant temptations requiring intentional and proactive resistance.

• Eye of the Storm: Periods of apparent calm, where we risk becoming complacent.

• Hurricane Warning: Serious situations or life circumstances that dramatically heighten temptation and risk.

Being aware of these levels helps us stay vigilant, committed, and prepared for every storm we face.

Prohibition vs. Positive Principles

Finally, purity is more than simply avoiding certain behaviors (prohibitions). It includes actively pursuing positive, God-honoring principles:

Roger Frankhauser defines purity clearly:

“I experience purity to the degree that I make godly choices by avoiding all inappropriate sexual activity, by enjoying appropriate expressions of masculinity, by enjoying appropriate relationships with the opposite sex that glorify God, that respect me, that honor others, and that I act on with my heart, mind, eyes, and actions.”

Sexual purity isn’t merely about restriction—it’s about enjoying relationships and intimacy within God’s beautiful design, deeply fulfilling emotionally and spiritually, not merely physically.

Understanding the real target, recognizing temptation sources, and preparing for inevitable storms are crucial steps toward lasting purity and spiritual growth.

Stormproof Men #4: Sexual Purity for Christian Men in a Sex-Saturated World

Welcome back to our “Stormproof Men” series. Today, we’re tackling a sensitive but crucial issue: masturbation and its impact on our journey toward sexual purity. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention masturbation, several biblical principles guide us clearly toward viewing it as almost always, if not always, sinful. We’ll also discuss why theology matters deeply for our purity and how distinguishing guilt from shame can bring true freedom and growth.

The “M” Word: What Does the Bible Really Say?

Masturbation is one of those topics that can create tension among Christians. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically condemn or condone it, several key biblical principles indicate it’s typically sinful in practice:

• Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence:
  Masturbation frequently involves lustful thoughts, a lack of self-control, and a habit-forming cycle that focuses on personal gratification rather than God-honoring intimacy.

  Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

• Biblical Sexual Intimacy:
  Sexual activity within marriage is designed to be a mutual expression of selfless love, not a selfish act focused solely on personal pleasure. Masturbation misses this important element of mutual, God-honoring intimacy.

  1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (NLT)
  “The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.”

There are generally four views Christians hold regarding masturbation:

1. It’s a gift from God.

2. It’s permissible under certain conditions (no lustful fantasies, not compulsive, etc.).

3. It’s usually sinful because it violates purity and God’s intended design.

4. It’s always sinful.

Practically speaking, masturbation almost always involves lustful thoughts, a lack of self-control, and selfishness—principles that clearly conflict with biblical teaching.

Building Our Foundation on the Rock: Theology Matters

Our understanding of God deeply impacts our decisions, especially regarding purity. A clear, biblical view of God shapes our behavior positively, while misconceptions can lead to dangerous choices. The question is: are you consistently spending time getting to know God personally?

• Who God Is Matters:
  Accurate theology anchors us in truth and helps us withstand temptation. Consider these core truths about God’s character:

  • God is good.

  • God is holy.

  • God is love.

  • God is forgiving.

  • God is faithful.

When our foundation is built upon a correct view of God, our desire to honor Him grows, fueling our pursuit of purity.

Psalm 42:1-2 (NLT)
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?”

Guilt vs. Shame: Understanding the Difference

In our pursuit of sexual purity, we must distinguish between guilt (conviction) and shame (condemning accusation). Understanding this distinction is crucial for spiritual growth and maintaining intimacy with God.

• Guilt (Conviction) is from the Holy Spirit and brings specific actions to correct wrongdoing. It moves us toward repentance and restored fellowship with God.

• Shame (Condemnation) is from the enemy and accuses us at a personal level, attacking our identity rather than our behavior. Shame traps us in a cycle of despair and distance from God.

Romans 8:1 (NLT)
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Recognizing the difference frees us from the enemy’s lies and strengthens our relationship with God. When convicted, we move closer to God. When condemned, we pull away from Him.

Understanding these truths about masturbation, theology, guilt, and shame equips us to better pursue lasting sexual purity.

Stormproof Men #5: Sexual Purity in a Sex-Saturated World

Storms are inevitable, especially when we pursue sexual purity in today’s culture. Like hurricanes that devastate communities, spiritual storms threaten our purity and integrity. The question is not if storms will come, but how prepared we’ll be when they arrive. Today’s episode focuses on two critical preparations: connecting regularly with God through spiritual disciplines, and involving others through accountability.

Connect Regularly with God

Spiritual disciplines, like Bible reading and prayer, aren’t tasks to simply check off a list. They equip us spiritually, preparing our hearts and minds for the battles we face daily.

The Role of Scripture:
God’s Word is foundational for equipping us spiritually. It teaches, corrects, and prepares us to live rightly.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Scripture isn’t just informational; it’s transformational. Regular Bible study changes us from the inside out, guiding our choices and reshaping our hearts.

Psalm 119:9-16 (NLT)
“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word… I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you… I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways…”

Common obstacles to regular Bible reading include guilt, confusion, spiritual warfare, or simply struggling to make it a priority. But just as we choose to love our spouse daily, we must intentionally choose to engage with God’s Word, cultivating a deeper love for Him.

The Power of Prayer:
Prayer is about deepening our relationship with God as our Heavenly Father. It’s a constant reminder of our dependence on Him. Regardless of our earthly father’s flaws or absence, God is a perfect Father—just, compassionate, and deeply loving.

Prayer helps us surrender control, reminding us that He is God, and we are not.

Walk in the Spirit, Not the Flesh

Victory in the battle for purity can’t be achieved solely by human effort. Trying harder isn’t the answer—depending on God’s Spirit is.

Galatians 3:2-3 (NLT)
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”

When we walk in the Spirit, our desires shift. The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist temptation, providing us with the strength that mere discipline or willpower cannot.

Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT)
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves… These two forces are constantly fighting each other…”

Involve Others: The Power of Accountability

Isolation is dangerous in the pursuit of purity. The enemy thrives when we battle alone. Authentic relationships with trusted believers who encourage, challenge, and pray for us are essential.

True accountability requires openness and honesty. We must intentionally invite trusted men to ask tough questions and provide regular encouragement and prayer support.

Galatians 6:1-2 (NLT)
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path… Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”

Trust in these relationships often starts small, but over time it grows stronger through mutual encouragement, prayer, and consistent vulnerability.

Purity is not just a solo effort—it’s a team endeavor strengthened by regular connection with God and supportive relationships with other believers.

Stormproof Men #6: Sexual Purity for Christian Men in a Sex-Saturated World

Welcome back to our sixth episode of the Stormproof series. We’re continuing to unpack principles from Roger Frankhauser’s book, Stormproof Men, aimed at helping Christian men maintain sexual purity in a sex-saturated world. Last week, we covered two critical principles: connecting regularly with God and involving others through accountability. Today, we’ll discuss two more essential practices: controlling our thoughts and controlling our eyes.

James reminds us that real change comes through action, not just listening:

James 1:22-25 (NLT)
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves…”

Control Your Thoughts

The battle for sexual purity begins in the mind. You may not control every thought that enters your head, but you absolutely control what you do with it afterward. One key to winning this battle is replacing unhealthy, lustful thoughts with godly, positive ones.

Replacing Thoughts:
Simply trying not to think about something doesn’t work. If you don’t fill the void with good, wholesome, and godly thoughts, those unwanted thoughts will inevitably return. The longer we entertain sinful thoughts, the more attractive and justifiable they become. The Bible emphasizes the need for renewing our minds consistently.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Paul gives clear guidance on what to replace sinful thoughts with:

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable… Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—then the God of peace will be with you.”

A Practical Approach:

• Awareness: Notice when inappropriate thoughts arise.

• Evaluation: Recognize immediately if a thought is sinful or tempting.

• Replacement: Replace it intentionally with something pure, true, and godly.

This proactive approach helps eliminate temptation while it’s still manageable, allowing us to “kill sin when it’s small.”

Control Your Eyes

Men are naturally visual creatures—God made us this way. However, this isn’t an excuse or invitation to indulge in lustful looking. Victory in sexual purity requires careful management of what we allow our eyes to focus on.

Make a Covenant With Your Eyes:
Job offers a powerful example of intentionally controlling our eyes to maintain purity:

Job 31:1 (NLT)
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.”

Job’s success shows that victory is genuinely possible. Making this type of covenant helps us set clear boundaries and proactively guard our hearts.

Eyes as a Gateway:
Jesus warned us about the profound impact our eyes have on our spiritual lives:

Matthew 6:22-23 (NLT)
“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness…”

A great example of the devastating consequences of uncontrolled eyes is King David’s encounter with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). What began as a lingering look turned into destructive decisions, painful consequences, and generational impact.

Practical Tips:

• Be intentional about what you watch or look at online and in everyday life.

• Immediately redirect your eyes away from anything tempting or provocative.

• Create physical and digital boundaries to prevent accidental or intentional viewing of inappropriate content.

Controlling our thoughts and eyes isn’t always easy, but with proactive strategies and God’s help, victory in sexual purity is entirely attainable.

Stormproof Men #7: Sexual Purity for Christian Men in a Sex-Saturated World

We’re wrapping up our “Stormproof” series, based on the book by Roger Frankhauser. As we finish, it’s crucial to remember that sexual purity isn’t just a good idea—it’s a critical battle we must win. The Bible offers clear instructions about how serious this fight is and how urgently we must respond. Today, we’ll discuss why fleeing temptation is essential and how moving from knowledge to experience is the ultimate goal.

Run Like Your Life Depends On It

When it comes to sexual immorality, the Bible doesn’t say “stand firm and fight.” It says clearly, “flee.” The language used is intentionally urgent. It emphasizes just how dangerous sexual temptation can be.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NLT)
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit… For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body…”

2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT)
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Joseph’s response to temptation in Genesis is a perfect illustration of this principle:

Genesis 39:11-12 (NLT)
“She caught him by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”

Unlike Joseph, we often underestimate the danger, lingering around temptation rather than running from it. We treat sexual sin casually, trying to see how close we can get without getting burned. Would we take that approach if our physical life were at risk? No! Sin is serious. It’s a spiritual life-and-death issue, capable of destroying intimacy with God and others.

Lot’s wife is another sobering example (Genesis 19). She hesitated and looked back, longing for the sinful life she left behind. It cost her everything. We must never underestimate sin’s danger or its consequences.

Here are four areas where fleeing is critical:

• Sexual Distractions: Avoid places and scenarios known for temptation. Stay alert—guard your heart and eyes.

• Electronic Devices: Use accountability software like Covenant Eyes or Net Nanny to protect yourself online.

• Commercial Sex Industry: Completely avoid any form of commercial sexual temptation.

• Sex Outside Marriage: Clearly communicate boundaries and stay far from compromising situations.

Moving From Knowledge to Experience

There’s a big difference between understanding sexual purity and truly experiencing it. Knowledge alone isn’t enough. Purity must be actively pursued and consistently practiced. Remembering and regularly applying key principles helps maintain lasting victory.

Here are the five principles covered in the series:

1. Connect with God

2. Involve others

3. Control your thoughts

4. Control your eyes

5. Flee sexual temptation

Even if you’ve forgotten some of these, revisit them often. Reflect on them, apply them, and talk about them frequently—just like God’s people were instructed to constantly reflect on His Word.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT)
“Hear, O Israel… Love the Lord your God with all your heart… Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home… when you lie down and when you get up… Write them on your doorframes…”

God’s commands—including purity—should be viewed not as restrictive rules, but as life-giving principles that offer profound joy and satisfaction.

Psalm 19:9-11 (NLT)
“The decrees of the Lord are firm… They are more precious than gold… sweeter than honey… By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Encouragement for Married and Single Men

• Married men: Pursue deeper intimacy with your wife—not just for better sex, but to build genuine, lasting closeness. Your marriage should reflect Christ’s sacrificial love for His church (Ephesians 5:25).

• Single men: God alone satisfies completely. Don’t believe the lie that you’re incomplete without marriage or sexual relationships. Your relationship with God offers greater joy and lasting pleasure.

Matthew 22:29-30 (NASB)
“You are mistaken, since you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage…”

Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

True purity, when genuinely pursued, offers more joy and fulfillment than any fleeting moment of sexual sin. Let’s actively choose purity, experiencing the profound reward and satisfaction it brings.