Why is sexual temptation a bigger problem for men than for women

While women are by no means immune from sexual temptation, men
struggle with sexual temptation to a much greater degree. Far more men
commit adultery than women. In premarital relationships, men are far
more likely to seek sex from their partners than women. This is
perhaps hinted at in Matthew 5:28, which refers exclusively to men
lusting after women. While lust is sinful for both men and women, the
fact that the passage only speaks of men committing "heart adultery"
implies that sexual temptation is primarily a male problem.

Why is this? Why is sexual temptation a bigger problem for men than
for women? The Bible does not seek to answer this "why" question.
Instead, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that sexual immorality is
always a sin (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; 10:8; 2
Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1
Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The fact that overcoming sexual temptation
is more difficult for men is definitely not an excuse. "It is so hard
to resist" is not an explanation God will accept from a man, or from a
woman for that matter. Again, sexual immorality is always a sin.
Therefore, sexual temptation is to be overcome (1 Corinthians 6:18),
whether the temptation is strong or mild, and whether the person
tempted is a man or a woman.

Since the Bible does not specifically give an answer as to why sexual
temptation is a greater struggle for men than for women, we can look
to biology/physiology for insight. Physiologically, men typically have
a much stronger sex drive than women. Men naturally think about sex
more often and desire sex more frequently than women do. Especially
when sexual intercourse has not occurred recently, the male body has a
greater desire for the release that sex provides. This is then
compounded by the fact that men are far more easily stimulated by
sight than women are (which also explains why men are far more prone
to look at pornography). Simply the sight of an attractive female is
sometimes enough to trigger a male's sex drive. If a sexual thought is
not immediately forsaken (with God's help), it can become a cascading
river of sexual temptation, very difficult to resist.

Again, let it be said, the male sex drive is a fact, not an excuse. If
a man gives in to sexual temptation, he has no one to blame but
himself. First Corinthians 10:13 declares, "No temptation has
overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will
not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He
will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure
it." If we do not take advantage of the divinely provided "way of
escape," we are without excuse. Sexual temptation can be powerful, and
sexual sin is among the most devastating (1 Corinthians 6:18). But,
with God's help, sexual temptation can be defeated. This is equally
true for men and women.