I don’t care how strong your relationship with God is; if you put yourself in situations where you’re tempted in an ungodly way, especially with the opposite sex, you are asking for trouble (Num. 25:1-9; 1 Cor. 10:8). Likewise, I don’t care how mentally strong you think you are. The strongest person who ever lived had a weakness concerning the opposite sex (Jdg. 14:1-3; 16:1, 4-21). Lastly, it doesn’t matter how wise or intellectual you believe you are in navigating temptation. Even the wisest man who ever lived, aside from Jesus, had a significant weakness in dealing with women (1 Ki. 11:1-13; Neh. 13:26). 

The reason I bring this up is that people often find excuses to place themselves in risky situations, which is unwise at best (Prov. 7:16-23). 

So, what does this look like? Consider the following examples: 

Social Media & Online Communication: Engaging in private conversations online, or via text, with someone other than your spouse can lead to temptation. The perceived secrecy and emotional intimacy created through texts, or specific apps, can quickly cross boundaries. If you are married and text someone of the opposite sex, it would be wise to include your spouse in the thread.

Social Activities: Even simple things done together without your spouse present can create situations where temptation is more likely to arise. When I hear people talk about how their “best friend” is a member of the opposite sex (yet they’re in a relationship, or married, to someone else), I cannot help but recoil—this sort of thing fools no one but yourself.

Workplace Interactions: Frequently meeting one-on-one with a coworker of the opposite sex in isolated or private settings, especially after work, inherently increases the likelihood of developing an inappropriate relationship. This is particularly true in roles that involve close collaboration or travel. To avoid such temptations, maintain clear professional boundaries, avoid those isolated one-on-ones, and focus strictly on work-related interactions.

In summary, rather than making excuses for knowingly putting yourself in dire situations, let’s follow God’s advice on fleeing temptation (Gen. 39:11-12; 1 Cor. 10:11-13). 

While there will be situations we cannot avoid and should respond to appropriately, we must also be wise enough to understand our own limitations and weaknesses. It doesn’t matter your covenant relationship with God, how strong you think you are, nor how wise you believe yourself to be. Recognize that Satan has always used the temptation of unlawful advances from the opposite sex to lead people into fracturing their relationship with God, and others. Pray and respond accordingly (1 Cor. 6:18-20).