Know that you’re not the only one who has experienced a Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) after coming out of a gay lifestyle. Experiencing SSA is not unusual. The more successful you are at controlling your thought life the quicker the SSA will subside. The longer you have been out of the gay lifestyle the less frequently you will experience a SSA.
You need to realize that upon receiving salvation you came under the authority of Jesus Christ. What this means is that although you might still experience SSA, since you are now under the authority of Jesus Christ, you no longer have to give into the SSA because you have been set free from sin’s power over you.
Paul tells us that when Jesus was crucified he died to sin, he permanently removed sin’s authority in our lives.
Romans 6:10-11 The death he died, he died to sin once and for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
However, being set free from sin’s authority over us does not mean that we’ve been set free from temptations. Because of the sinful nature of earth, Satan will never stop trying to tempt us.
What we also need to realize, is that being tempted is not the same as sinning.
After being baptized, Jesus was led into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by Satan. And we know Jesus never sinned.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
One of the most important tools we can use when dealing with a SSA, is guarding our thoughts and imaginations. Whatever we choose to think about grows. We need to stop engaging in lustful thoughts and letting our imaginations run wild. Every time you catch yourself thinking about the SSA, stop! Closely monitor your thoughts to keep them in check.
Replace your SSA thoughts with thoughts in alignment with the Word of God.
Colossians 3:2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Never confess your SSA to the person you’re attracted to. Your confession cracks the door for Satan to gain a foothold.
What you can confess out loud when you’re feeling a SSA is that you are a new creature in Chris and you choose to live your life in alignment with the Word of God.
Keep the SSA in the proper perspective, it’s just an attempt by Satan to lead you into sin. You don’t have to take ownership of the SSA.
If you experience a SSA, you should not come under condemnation from Satan. Satan will be right there interjecting thoughts into your mind, that you have not been successful at leaving the lifestyle, you’re not saved and that you have to give in to your feelings. Remember Satan is a liar!
All too often in the past we let our feelings control us. When experiencing a SSA, the feelings we experience might be familiar to the person we used to be, but we are no longer that person. We need to remember that our feelings are no more than an emotional response to a stimulus. Our feelings are not to be trusted, we can feel something one moment and then feel something totally different the next moment.
And just because we might feel something strongly, does not mean that we have to let our feelings control the direction of our lives. We need to get beyond our feelings and allow our thoughts, in alignment with the Word of God, control the direction of our lives. What we might feel in any given moment has nothing to do with the truth of the Word.
So if you experience a SSA, relax, calm down and take a breath. Satan is not in control, Jesus is. You’re not alone, the Holy Spirit is right there beside you and he’s not going anywhere.
Remember you are a child of the most high God.
Joshua 1:9 This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
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