I am Caught!

Did you ever notice that a bowl of popcorn rarely sits half empty? Once you start eating it you don't stop until it's gone.

Someone once said that having sex is like eating popcorn. Once you have become sexually active you just can't stop -- or can you?

Don't let anyone tell you it is as simple as saying "No!" Maybe having sex has become a habit for you. It's a routine and maybe even a meaningful part of your relationship. If it truly is a habit, it will usually take more than just wishing to break the habit. But then any number of these things may pressure you to be sexually active.

How to Say "No!"

Remember that you make the difference. Many say this is a "pro-choice" society. You can't avoid the reality that you make a choice about your sexual life. Ultimately, you are responsible for what you do.

It won't be easy. Anyone who thinks it just amounts to saying "No!" doesn't realize how difficult this is. It takes more than words . . . this is war. There have been many who have fought the fight but lost the battle. Others continue the fight, but lose once in a while. Ultimately, it is a battle worth fighting.

You have to know why you want to fight to say "No!" You must think beyond yourself. Sure, saying "No!" means you won't catch a disease. But saying "No!" also means, if you catch a disease, you won't pass it on to others.

Saying "No!" will spare you from dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. It also means you don't have to face the prospect of raising a child as a single parent.

Saying "No!" means you will have nothing to hide. You won't have to worry about others finding out that you are doing something you're not supposed to. You won't have to worry about seeing their disappointed or judgmental looks.

Saying "No!" has one more benefit. If you are a Christian, say "No!" not just for others, but for God. When you say "No!" for God you are also saying "thank you" to him. It was God who gave you life. He gave you those things in life which make you happy. He sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the price for your sins.

For that reason, when you say "No!" to having sex outside of marriage you are saying, "Thank you God for all you did for me." You are seeking to do what God wants you to do. In the Bible he tells us, "I urge you, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1). Because God made a difference for you, now you can make a difference. You can enjoy a new freedom to serve God, to do his will, to reflect his love, and to help others by your words and example.

What if I Fail?

You can't fail until you stop trying. Many people struggle a long time to kick bad habits. They only truly fail when they have given up. Don't give up! God did not and has not given up on you.

Fight for you. Fight for others. Fight for God.

This article is taken from a brochure entitled, "Sex"; © 1998 Christian Life Resources and is used with permission. For more Bible-centered information on life issues, see http://www.christianliferesources.com/