Men are visually and mentally influenced by any number of things. Most of these influences, which may include sex, gambling, pornography, alcohol, and food -- usually create long-term problems if not properly controlled. Some men find themselves fighting these and other temptations on a daily basis and far too many of us are losing the battle.

When we look at different types of temptation -- physical attraction and sex are considered two of the most difficult for men to ignore. If you know anything about the Bible, the statement "Lead us not into temptation..." should be familiar. While listening to articulate prayer services we sometimes encounter in church, this statement is occasionally spoken by bishops and ministers in an effort to ask for Gods' help in steering us clear of sinful things. For many men, this isn't just a request of God -- it is also a plea for help.

From the early stages of puberty - through our grumblings as older men, males often struggle to maintain their composure when dealing with indulgences involving the female species. We love to look -- but we also crave to touch and as a direct result of these hormone-driven desires, men create several headaches for themselves and their families when they make inappropriate choices.

While women in relationships can also be overtaken by carnal desires, men are more likely to yield to physical temptations. This doesn't mean men are more immoral than women. It simply translates to the way men are physiologically designed, which can make it difficult for us to ignore the women we find attractive. Many men will confess to ruining their lives because of their own inability to evade the claws of lust. Visual temptation alone is often all that is needed for men to stray down the wrong road.

This is nothing new. Men have a storied history of yielding to temptation. One of the biggest driving forces behind media marketing is sex -- and sex is a very good seller. Much of the history of how the media uses temptation to sell has been influenced by society's view of men, how we are labeled, and how we react.

When boys are taught to be aggressors and society praises them for "getting the girl", we shouldn't be surprised to find the world of pop culture filled with fantasy videos, materialistic attraction, and improbable expectations. Imagery has always been a media prop used to stimulate the brains (and other body parts) of men. With youth, social marketing plays a major role in influencing the things they desire and this often creates false impressions about what is real and what is fantasy.

Historically, the way we handle temptation is also defined through our upbringing, our values, and what we perceive as right or wrong. While we were often told as children that it is impolite to stare, hit a girl, or forget to say "Thank you" -- boys are rarely taught to control their impulses, or shown the consequences of acting upon inappropriate feelings. These feelings may either be natural or unnatural.

But many parents are relieved to have sons who are "normal" and behave in a way that some refer to as the "typical male," personality. The problem is, young men don't always know how or when to control temptations and often have no concept of possible repercussions. When we become men, the responsibility grows. We should have a better understanding of the consequences of unfavorable actions, and telling ourselves "No" -- should be a lot easier.

Even though some women leave absolutely nothing to the imagination, it isn't an open invitation to behave in a way that is unbecoming of a man. The key to better behavior can be found in a man's level of maturity and responsibility. The higher these are, the more likely he is to resist temptation.

There are no tricks to keeping oneself from acting on impulses. Men who play it safe know how to observe boundaries and can assign measurable values to a woman - no matter how physically attractive she is.

Temptations will always arise. After learning how to guard against yielding to them -- men will notice that it's much easier to manage future enticements. We will all be better served when men learn to run from anything that stimulates youthful lust.