Sexual brokenness is a common human struggle stemming from the fall of man in Genesis 3. When sin entered the world, it corrupted all aspects of human nature and relationships, including sexuality. The Bible speaks openly about sexual brokenness and offers hope and healing through faith in Jesus Christ.
At the root of sexual brokenness is the problem of idolatry. When we look to sex to find our identity, security, or fulfillment more than we look to God, we engage in idolatry. Sex becomes our functional savior rather than Jesus. This idolatry manifests itself through lust, pornography addiction, same-sex attraction, adultery, sexual abuse, and more. Underneath it all is the universal human tendency to seek life apart from God (Romans 1:25).
The biblical solution begins with recognizing our true condition. We must see our sexual brokenness as part of our sin sickness that needs saving grace. King David cried out, “My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins” (Psalm 38:5 NLT). This honesty and humility open the heart to receive God’s healing.
Repentance is the next step. We must turn away from sinful attitudes and actions through the empowering grace of Christ. “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts” (Isaiah 55:7). God calls us to decisively break with sexual immorality in all its forms while trusting him for strength.
Forgiveness in Christ provides the healing balm we need. At the cross, Jesus absorbed all the punishment our sins deserve (1 John 1:9). We must receive this radical, cleansing forgiveness by faith. As we do, shame is replaced with acceptance and hope. True guilt is cleansed away.
The gospel gives us a new identity in Christ. We are not defined by our sexual struggles anymore. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our security and satisfaction is now found in Christ alone. This liberates us from looking to sex for life and meaning.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in holiness and freedom. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). As we surrender to him daily and obey his Word, the Spirit renews us from the inside out. He grows in us the fruits of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
Healthy biblical community provides accountability and encouragement. Isolation feeds sexual temptation, but authentic fellowship starves it. “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Accountability helps break secrecy and brings sin into the light. Other believers can support and strengthen us in the journey toward wholeness.
Undergirding it all is God’s unconditional love. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). There is nothing we can do to make God love us more or less. His love frees us from performance pressure. It assures us that, no matter how many times we stumble and fail, his affection remains steadfast.
Walking out our new life in Christ requires both grace and grit. Saying no to lust is hard; battling pornography addictions requires great tenacity. But God’s grace is stronger. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Part of the biblical cure is finding our satisfaction in God rather than sex. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). As we feast on God’s goodness and beauty through spiritual disciplines, worldly cravings lose their grip. Our restless hearts find their rest in him.
In seasons of intense sexual temptation, we must flee and take refuge in Christ. Follow Joseph’s example when he escaped sexual enticement: “He left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house” (Genesis 39:12). Leave behind whatever enflames your lust and run into the arms of Jesus.
For those trapped in sexual sin patterns, confiding in a spiritually mature believer is vital. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Bring secret troubles into the light. Ask God for someone safe who can listen, pray, and help you change.
Surrounding ourselves with beauty lifts our gaze to God’s goodness. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). God’s creation displays his glory.
Sexual wholeness ultimately comes from union with Christ. It is a gift flowing from his work in us, not our work for him. As we abide in him through faith and obedience, transforming grace frees and repairs our brokenness. We live out our new, holy identity in the strength of his Spirit and for his glory.
For the sexually broken, hope is found in recognizing our innate design for intimate relationship. “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27 NIV). Our longings point us to the perfect intimacy for which we were made – oneness with God through Christ. This brings healing perspective.
Part of the solution involves establishing proper boundaries. For example, installing filtering software, limiting time alone, and avoiding tempting situations. “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). Wisdom and vigilance protect us.
Seeking professional Christian counseling is wise if sexual sin has a stronghold. “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). Find help untangling root causes and implementing customized strategies for victory. You are not alone.
For those struggling with same-sex attraction, self-acceptance apart from sinful identity is key. Your true identity is in Christ alone – his beloved, beautiful child. Temptation does not define you. Keep looking to Jesus for all you need. He lifts crushing burdens.
When battling chronic failure in sexual purity, preach the gospel to yourself daily. Remember God’s radical grace toward sinners through Christ. Let this motivate grateful obedience. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
If married, pursue deeper intimacy with your spouse through communication, service, and affection. God designed marriage for companionship and passion. Investing in the marriage relationship builds strength for both spouses to resist temptation. Seek robust spiritual oneness.
For those who experience same-sex attraction, cherish the true intimacy of Christian friendship over disordered sexual desires. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Christ-centered brotherly love brings comfort and belonging.
When facing infidelity and adultery, confession and repentance are critical first steps. “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 NIV). Humble honesty opens the door for healing and restoration to begin.
In the battle for sexual integrity, saturate your mind with Scripture. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Scripture renews our thinking and washes us clean. Let its promises encourage you.
Praying Scripture back to God is powerful. Take passages like Psalm 51, Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 6:18, and Hebrews 2:17-18 and turn them into prayers. Let God’s Word reframe your thoughts and fuel your prayers for victory.
Cultivating your spiritual life fortifies you against sexual temptation. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). An intimate relationship with Christ satisfies our deepest needs.
The cross of Christ reminds us we are not alone in our struggle. Jesus was tempted in every way yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He understands our pain and intercedes for us before the Father as our great high priest (Hebrews 2:17-18). We find mercy and grace in time of need.
Part of God’s rescue for the sexually broken is providing healthy relationships where our need for intimate connection is met. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). We were made for fellowship.
Serving others gets our focus off ourselves and on to pleasing God. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). It combats the selfishness of lust and creates other-centered love.
For those ensnared in pornography, dramatic measures may be needed to sever its power – destroying stashes, installing filters, confessing to others. Jesus said if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out (Matthew 5:29). Desperate situations warrant desperate action.
To maintain purity amid temptation, we must nurture a vibrant prayer life. Like Jesus in the wilderness, we gain victory through prayer. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak” (Mark 14:38 NIV). Prayer sustains us.
Supporting ministries that help people find freedom from all forms of sexual brokenness is important. We need to care for those still trapped and broken. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NIV). We serve together.
God promises to never leave or forsake us as we walk with him (Hebrews 13:5). Even when we stumble in our struggle with sin, his grip on us remains sure. He is faithful to complete the work he began in us. Take heart and keep looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
