"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
Masturbation & Pornography
Let's start with pornography. Looking at pornography is an obvious sin:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." {Matthew 5:27-28 NASB}
In order to abstain from, or reduce, masturbation, it is necessary to first break free from pornography.
Masturbation, in and of itself, is also a sin. This, however, requires a deeper look into Scripture.
Let's start with the issue of holiness. Holiness is commanded in both the Old and New Testaments
"You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." {Leviticus 19:2 NASB}
"The God who chose you is holy. So you should be holy in all that you do. It is written, 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" {1 Peter 1:15-16 NIRV}
Masturbation is not holy.
More applicable Scriptures follow.
"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." {Galatians 5:17 NIV}
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." {Colossians 3:5 NIV}
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." {Ephesians 5:3 NIV}
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." {Proverbs 4:23 KJV}
Masturbation needs perversion to survive. It is always based on perversion, to one degree or another. It is very difficult to masturbate entertaining a sexual fantasy consistent with what is actually allowed in Scripture.
Masturbation is a sin. Christians need to be aware of this.
Masturbation is a very common sin.
Demons will try to get you to masturbate, as with any sin.
Wilfully engaging in any sin makes spiritual warfare more difficult. We are told to submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7) and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
We are also told that God provides us with the means to avoid sin:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." {1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV}
"Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." {1 Corinthians 7:8-9 NIV}
For those who do not have the gift of singleness, the biblical solution is to get married, not to masturbate and not to look at pornography.
Until and unless this happens, here are some tips to help you to avoid these sins.
These are difficult sins to break free of, or even cut down on, especially when you first start to try.
It will take time for you to make progress.
However, you can make progress. Even though, at first, this may seem impossible.
Do your best to avoid these sins.
Sexual desire is normal. And sexual foreplay, including partner masturbation, during intercourse, is fine.
Recognize, however, that self-masturbation is a sin.
Recognize, also, that you will be blessed as you make progress.
"He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend."
{Proverbs 22:11 NKJV}
Don't beat yourself up when you fail; this gives power to the devil. Just confess your sin to God (1 John 1:9) and try to do better the next time.
Guidance follows.
Avoid people, places and things that trigger you to look at pornography, engage in masturbation or give in to fornication.
This includes obvious triggers like sexually arousing thoughts, movies and books with sexual content and videos with immodestly dressed people.
This may also include news content about prostitution and sexual abuse, including Christian testimonies.
It can also include triggers like stress, frustration and boredom.
More suggestions follow.
Pray for a clean heart:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." {Psalm 51:10 NKJV}
Sing and pray the worship song Create In Me A Clean Heart.
Don't entertain sinful, sexually arousing thoughts. This is a primary goal. View sinful, sexually arousing thoughts, as any other spiritual attack; resist the devil.
"Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray." {James 5:13 NIV}
Ask God to give you strength in the moment of temptation.
Recite Scripture:
- "Be holy, for I am holy." {1 Peter 1:16 NKJV}
- "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes . . ." {Psalms 101.3 NKJV}
- "Hate what is evil . . ." {Romans 12:9 NIV}
- "Love your neighbor . . ." {Mark 12:31 NIV}
- ". . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right . . . think about these things." {Philippians 4:8 NASB}
"For the Word of God is living and active . . ." {Hebrews 4:12 NASB}
Use affirmations, based on Scripture. Then think about something else.
Examples follow.
Scripture: "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." {Romans 6:11 NKJV}
Notice that the Scripture says that this is a choice and that it is something we can do. You can be dead to sin—if you want to be.
Affirmations:
- I'm dead to sin. I'm alive to God.
- That is how I survive. {optional}
- That is how I succeed. {optional}
Affirmation:
- I'm dead to sin.
- This is what you will use most often.
Affirmation:
- I choose to be dead to sin.
- This is also very effective.
Scripture: "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." {Romans 12:9 NIV}
Affirmations:
- I choose to hate evil.
- I hate that stuff.
Scripture: "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes . . ." {Psalms 101.3 NKJV}
Affirmations:
- I will not entertain wicked thoughts.
- I want nothing to do with evil.
- That stuff will kill you. {Optional}
It is very important that you avoid entertaining sexual fantasies that involve you doing evil to another person. These result in anxiety (Proverbs 23:7, 28:1, Isaiah 48:22). They create an impediment to your prayers being answered (Psalm 66:18). They may also lead to more serious sin.
In addition, other people, sooner or later, will pick up on this which will result in embarrassment and other problems.
Sexual fantasies and behaviors, involving wickedness, result in a sexual high which is above and beyond what you can experience via any legitimate sexual encounter. But these will damage or destroy your Christian life.
Scripture: "For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ." {1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV}
Affirmations:
- I have the 'mind of Christ.'
- That doesn't fit Your thinking.
You can also use combinations of the foregoing.
Once you've prayed, recited Scripture, or used an affirmation, think about something else.
Avoid media content that is sexually arousing—especially if you are single and, hence, do not have a legitimate sexual outlet. I think this is less of a problem for the married.
Filtering software is available and may help. Someone else should have the password.
For singles: It is a mistake to believe that you only have to avoid media content that involves nudity. Avoid any media content that is sexually arousing.
For men: thought substitution: When you find yourself looking at a woman the wrong way, remember to instead check out her HAIR.
The more disciplined you are in terms of your thought life and media habits, the easier it becomes to avoid this sin.
We all have different triggers that tempt us to masturbate. Avoid these triggers.
Remember, your subconscious mind works 24 hours a day.
Once you do experience demonic pressure to masturbate, I have some additional suggestions.
First, try waiting for a period of time. For starters, try one-half hour. Find something to distract your mind from the lust such as watching the news or going for a walk.
Waiting for a period of time is highly recommended. The pressure you feel will eventually subside. And this is the only truly reliable way to make progress when you first start.
Second: practice trusting God. Even though the demonic pressure may seem impossible to resist. Trusting God may diminish the pressure you feel and enable you to resist the temptation to masturbate.
"Trust in Him at all times . . ." {Psalm 62:8 NASB}
Third: "Lord, I pray against the spirit of lust. In Jesus' name. Amen." This may also help.
Fourth: You can also forcefully rebuke the devil. The demonic pressure may subside.
You can also use several of these. Of course, the sooner you resist the devil, the more likely you are to be successful.
More information follows.
For men: There are uncomfortable bodily sensations that you will experience whenever you are sexually aroused and there is no release. These will subside, in time. They are nothing to worry about.
Guilt: Guilt gives power to the devil and makes it impossible to make progress.
It is unrealistic to expect yourself to be perfect. We all have a sin nature and sinful sexual desires. Don't engage in negative self-talk.
If you're feeling guilty about masturbation, pornography, some sexual sin or some perverse sexual fantasy—and can't break free of the guilt on your own—talk to someone about the issue. Of course, select such a person carefully.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." {James 5:16 NASB}
One caution follows.
Licensed counselors have mandatory reporting requirements if you've sexually abused someone or willfully viewed child pornography. Pastors also have reporting requirements, though these differ. Consult an attorney, in advance, if this is a concern for you. You can also ask such a person, in advance, about reporting requirements that may apply. You can also research the issue online for rules that apply in your jurisdiction.
Non-professionals do not have legal reporting requirements.
Many churches have support groups that deal with masturbation, pornography and sexual abuse. And online support groups are also available.
Remember:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man . . . " {1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV}
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" {Jeremiah 17:9 KJV}
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." {James 5:16 NASB}
One example of a Christian testimony: This Is The Only Way I Could Overcome Porn.
Casting out demons may also be necessary. One pastor's testimony: I Couldn't Break My Porn Addiction Until I Did This . . .
Many Christian testimonies on overcoming masturbation/pornography are available on You Tube.
View these testimonies so that you can benefit from the experience of others.
The less you view pornography, the easier it will become to avoid this sin. The less you masturbate, the easier it will become to avoid masturbation and to avoid sexual fantasies that can become increasingly perverse.
Don't stress over this.
Just do the best that you can.
Keep trying.
You will make progress.
None of us are sinless.
You will have greater success in your Christian life, and more peace, as you make progress in abstaining from all sins—including the sins of masturbation and pornography.
Some closing comments follow.
First: Again, this article only applies to self-masturbation. The mutual pleasuring that takes place in a marital relationship is fine. If you are married, you still need to avoid self-masturbation.
Second: If you have doubts as to whether or not masturbation is a sin, you can test the issue—or any other issue—just as Gideon did (Judges 6:36-40). An example follows.
While you are experiencing anxiety and/or depression: "Dear Lord, if masturbation is a sin, I ask forgiveness of my sin and ask that you would make this clear to me by immediately restoring my peace. In Jesus' name. Amen."
And see what happens.
Third: Recognize that the Holy Spirit may choose to punish your emotions directly in regard to this issue. Refer to the article entitled God & Discipline. A link is below.
Finally, some related articles:
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