No One Stands Alone

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
Print, Study and Apply

Title: No One Stands Alone ------------------- Date: 6/29/2003
Keywords: “friend”
Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

Passage: Proverbs 27:17*

Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.

Questions

1. In dealing with sexual temptation, what are some of the benefits of having a close friend?

 

2. How can sharing your struggle with a close friend be one of the best ways to maintain a clean conscience?

 

3. Why is it so difficult to develop these kinds of friendships?

 

Practical help

God knew when He created us that we would need the encouragement and support that comes from close relationships. We weren’t made to live independently from others. We function best in fellowship with others. Being a help to those in need and being helped in time of our need by others brings growth and balance to our lives. Unfortunately, our struggles with sin, especially pornography, tend to isolate us from others and we decide to go it alone instead of looking to God and our brothers and sisters in Christ for help.

Seek out close relationships with friends who will:

  1. Keep a confidence — Proverbs 17:9
  2. Walk with you faithfully through difficult times — Proverbs 17:17
  3. Extend the forgiveness and healing of God in tangible ways — Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13
  4. Rebuke you when needed — Proverbs 17:10
  5. Encourage you often — Hebrews 3:13
You may need to cultivate these friendships if you don’t already have them. Ask God to give you friends that will sharpen you and encourage you. Look for them in your church or consider other Christians you know that seem to be serious about walking with Christ. Make a commitment to share openly about your own struggles with porn and be available to encourage others.
eXXit homepage
Index of three-minute studies
Copyright 2003 by eXXit
*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."