4 Ways to Stay Strong in Your Convictions as a Single Christian

You need to steady yourself when moving, not to fall short of temptation. This means not knowing in your head that it is wrong to do or not do something but allowing your reasoning to dwell in your spirit and your innermost being. 

When a conviction is a core belief and a facet of how you live your life, you will do whatever you must to avoid straying from it, for it is not capricious or shallow. 

Researching why God tells us to do something or not to do something in scripture can assist in this practice, as can observing how it has played a pivotal role in the lives of others. 

God is incredibly intentional, and what He shares with us through His Word is ultimately for our benefit and a fruitful and abundant life. Still, it will mean nothing to you unless you capture within your spirit that His ways are indeed best. 

Remember the words offered in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

We must not lean on what the world says or our limited understanding offers, but instead seek what He says is correct to root in such convictions truly.

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Sometimes, the best way to navigate staying strong in your convictions is to remove the conduits that offer temptation. 

Matthew 6:22-23 explains, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness.” 

This means that the eyes are like a door into your heart and mind, so what are you allowing to enter that door? Practically speaking, placing safeguards and precautions to ensure that you do not find yourself in a place where a decision to sin or not even is present, or it looks like refraining from participating in something that would introduce the idea of sin. 

Connecting with God and asking Him for wisdom on protecting your eyes can make a difference. He may lead you to change even the programs you watch on television, the music you listen to, or the groups of people you participate in events with, but know that He will lead you in the right direction. 

Removing doors or gates helps to form a barrier against enemy attacks, and the same is true when it comes to temptations. Invite the Lord to help instruct you how and when to set barriers or to close openings so that you can be protected.

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There is a gift to fellowship with other believers and to love and keep one another accountable. This is not to be done with just anyone, but after prayerful consideration, ask the Lord to help reveal to you who to walk with, who to entrust with precious things, and who to have as an accountability partner. 

James 5:16 shares, “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” 

It can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable to share with others the temptations we face. Still, there is a freedom when there is someone you can trust with those delicate things to intercede in prayer for you, to encourage you, and to help you when the enemy seeks to tempt you. 

Remember the words of Galatians 6:1-2, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” 

When you do this for others and when they do this for you, there is an opportunity to grow together, to spur one another on in good works, and to grow in relationship and reliance on God ultimately.

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We desperately need a Savior, for we cannot do this life alone. Call the Lord for His assistance when you are tempted to compromise on what you know is right. 

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 encourages us, “ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 

God wants to come alongside you; He wants you to lean not on your ability, but on His strength during these times. He can help you withstand the temptation and walk away from it. Although the enemy will scheme against you, you do not battle alone. This is the most powerful way we can stand firm in our convictions, and it will prove in testimony of how He helped you to endure one day as well. Remember that even Jesus was tempted by Satan while He was on earth, so He knows exactly what you are going through and can help you.

Humans all fall short of perfection, but we have a perfect Savior to help us in this life. Even if you have fallen short before, don’t give up. Call out to God and ask Him to help you move forward and make every attempt to safeguard yourself so that you will not fall short again. Know too that staying true to your convictions in faith will prove faithful, even if that fruit is not immediately revealed. 

God knows what is best for you, and in His strength and your surrender, you will find the battle belongs to Him. Also, know that even if you are married, there will still be temptations. Temptation does not end in marriage; it just changes form. Developing a practice of reliance upon God and developing habits to protect yourself from falling short as a single will help you so that your marriage can be stronger. God is with you in all things, not just some things, so rest in that security.

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