1. A strong relationship with the Father. Your ongoing intimate relationship with Father God is your strongest guardrail against sexual temptation. He has the best counsel. He knows exactly how men and women are wired – because He wired us. How you deal with your sexuality is of the utmost importance to God. The closer you stay to Him, the greater will be your access to His wisdom and counsel for resisting sexual temptation.

2. A cautious relationship with others of the opposite sex. We’re not talking about cutting off all contact with the opposite sex. We’re talking about being cautious and alert for temptation in these relationships and maintaining a margin of distance that will help you resist those temptations. Dismiss and replace tempting thoughts, don’t go out of your way to see or meet someone, be careful with physical touch and keep conversations general.

3. An open relationship with other Christians. Your Christian friends can also be a trustworthy guardrail of sexual purity in your life. You must be willing to lay aside anything that would hinder or rob you from allowing those people who know and love you to scrutinize your life. We need a group of trustworthy Christian friends to encourage us to remain pure, to edify us when we are struggling with sin in our lives, and who can help restore us to obedience when we have stepped over the line in some way.

4. A fulfilling relationship with your spouse. If you are emotionally or sexually thirsty, head for your own well, the well God has provided for you. Quench your thirst at your own fountain instead of roaming around looking for another. And make sure you anticipate and meet your spouse’s sexual needs. When you are full and satisfied sexually in your relationship with your spouse, neither of you will need to look elsewhere for satisfaction.

If you have already fallen into temptation in this area, do something about it now. It may be too late to escape the hurt and distress you’ve caused. But you can begin to make things right and heal the wounds. Break off the relationship you’re in. Confess to God and to your spouse. Seek counseling, and submit yourself to mature Christians to monitor your restoration. God loves you and He will walk you and your spouse through each step of the healing you need. There is hope for you. There is forgiveness. God has the power you need to be all he has called you to be. And he can help you guard your heart against further regret.

Stay alert, and remember: A guarded heart helps build a divorce-proof marriage.

Portions of this article were adapted from "The Great Marriage Q&A Book," Copyright 2006 by Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg, all rights reserved. Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,www.tyndale.com. To order this resource or to find our more about Dr. Gary and Barb – Your Marriage Coaches, visit www.drgaryandbarb.com or call 1-888-608-COACH.

Married over 30 years, the parents of two adult daughters and four grandchildren, Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg, your marriage coaches, have a unique blend of insight and wisdom that touch people of all ages. Together with Gary's 25,000 hours of counseling experience and Barbara's gift of encouragement and biblical teaching, they are equipping thousands of families across the nation through their interactive daily radio program, conferences, and marriage and family resources.