i'd like to offer this to you as the fruit of my own recent experience of spiritual failure.

not the biggest fan of acronyms but this one feels appropriate: "T R I A L"

1)Trust

- Trust God to see you through this.
- Trust Him to supply the power and strength.
- Trust that He will transform these circumstances into something good.

2)Recognise

- Recognise when you are in state of temptation; much easier to fight when you realise that a battle has begun.
- Recognise that you are not alone, many people are experiencing your trial at this present moment.
- Recognise that God is aware of your particular circumstances and cares deeply about how you respond.

3)Identify

- Identify the temptation. We know the usual suspects: pride, despair, greed, lust, gossip, malice...
- Identify the resources that God has given you to help overcome the temptation: primarily what God's word says on the subject.
- Identify practical measures to weaken/defeat the temptation: walk away, turn off the computer, call the person and apologise, ask someone for help and
guidance...

4)Attack

- The essence of spiritual warfare is to focus on Jesus.
- Ask Him for strength and wisdom to deal with the situation.
- Thank Him for defeating the power of every temptation on the cross.
- Speak out God's words on this subject.
- Carry out the practical measures you have identified.

5)Love

- No power on heaven or earth is as strong as the love of God.
- Love is making a choice to obey God's will and not follow my own selfish desires and ambitions.
- Keep on making this choice and you will overcome.
- Still tempted? Go to step 1.