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In the beginning God created man and woman and they were to enjoy sex in the context of marriage. Sexual pleasure was designed to be shared with the partner of opposite sex in marriage. However masturbation is self-focused and self-centered, the opposite of God's plan for sexuality. The good news is that many Christians have successfully quit masturbation with prayer. You can read about that here.
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There are many sincere Bible-reading followers of Jesus who honor the principles of godly sexuality and sadly there are many who do not. This article briefly describes 15 reasons why some professed Christians promote masturbation and why those who want to stop cannot find answers.
1. The law is done away with. Most Christians are taught the lie that the 10 commandments are unimportant. Because of this lie there no objective standard of moral behavior. Without an objective standard they literally practice lawlessness. They are taught that they are freed from obedience to the law and therefore have no reason why they should stop masturbating and strive for self-control. When there is no law there is no definition for sin and therefore no real motivation to seek a life of self-control.
2. No obligation to God to care for our bodies. Because according to this popular theology there is no law Christians have no respect for the biblical mandate to care for their bodies. The average Christian believes that they can eat, drink, and live however they want with impunity. They are woefully ignorant of both the holiness of God and the command to honor him with their lifestyles.
2. No obligation to God to care for our bodies. Because according to this popular theology there is no law Christians have no respect for the biblical mandate to care for their bodies. The average Christian believes that they can eat, drink, and live however they want with impunity. They are woefully ignorant of both the holiness of God and the command to honor him with their lifestyles.
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3. Ignorant of mind-body relationship. With no law and no obligation to care for God’s gift of the amazing human body Christians have zero appreciation for the very real, complex, and delicate connection that exists between the mind and the body. The result of this ignorance is unnecessary sickness, suffering, and addiction. When God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt he told them that if they obeyed His commands they would not suffer any of the disease of the Egyptians.
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Nowadays, not only are Christians just as sick and diseased as non-Christians but in some areas of the world they are sicker. It is interesting to note that many New Agers, Hindus, Muslims, and large segments of the secular world have a much greater appreciation for the laws that govern the health of the mind and body than do Christians.
4. They are lied to and remain in the dark. Sincere seekers of God are convicted by the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit that they must abandon worldly practices and behaviors like masturbation that hinder not only their spiritual experience but also their physical and social relationships to others. Unfortunately as they seek help they encounter much frustration and confusion as they hear conflicting messages from preachers, pastors and leaders in the church. Many preachers preach smooth and unbiblical things to justify the indulgent lifestyles of their members and keep attendance up at church.
5. People want reward but not sacrifice. The number one reason why the majority of Christians are taught to live indulgent lifestyles is because they like it. People will not go to church if the preachers teach sacrifice.”Pastor, please tell us good things about our bad habits.” People love Jesus but they hate his lifestyle. They want the benefits and miracles but not the humility and sacrifice. Stopping masturbation involves a change in lifestyle and the resistance to that change must be overcome by radical honesty and the wonderful grace of God. Please reread the last sentence. Notice it is the resistance to change that must be overcome before change can take place.
6. Fear of legalism. As soon as the conscientious Christian obtains a genuine desire to honor and glorify God with his body and lifestyle he is met with another obstacle. It is the fear of legalism and it has two prongs:
4. They are lied to and remain in the dark. Sincere seekers of God are convicted by the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit that they must abandon worldly practices and behaviors like masturbation that hinder not only their spiritual experience but also their physical and social relationships to others. Unfortunately as they seek help they encounter much frustration and confusion as they hear conflicting messages from preachers, pastors and leaders in the church. Many preachers preach smooth and unbiblical things to justify the indulgent lifestyles of their members and keep attendance up at church.
5. People want reward but not sacrifice. The number one reason why the majority of Christians are taught to live indulgent lifestyles is because they like it. People will not go to church if the preachers teach sacrifice.”Pastor, please tell us good things about our bad habits.” People love Jesus but they hate his lifestyle. They want the benefits and miracles but not the humility and sacrifice. Stopping masturbation involves a change in lifestyle and the resistance to that change must be overcome by radical honesty and the wonderful grace of God. Please reread the last sentence. Notice it is the resistance to change that must be overcome before change can take place.
6. Fear of legalism. As soon as the conscientious Christian obtains a genuine desire to honor and glorify God with his body and lifestyle he is met with another obstacle. It is the fear of legalism and it has two prongs:
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a) Number one is that you may be tempted to think that masturbating or not masturbating will deliver you from death. It’s a silly idea but some people do believe good behavior will save them. Legalism is the idea that we can be saved by our works and good behavior. The Bible is clear that salvation comes by faith alone and not by our works. If you stop masturbating it does not guarantee that you are saved. A desire to change our lifestyle and behavior to honor God is good because it is evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in the heart.
b) Second, if you practice a life that supports willpower growth people may call you a legalist. Because most Christians reject the call of God to honor him with their food and drink often they reject anyone that lives such a lifestyle. They will say things like “you are trying to earn your way to heaven.” The truth is that you are trying to honor God by living without masturbation and that increased willpower comes from a healthy body. People only say this because your example is a rebuke to them. Would they accuse a recovering alcoholic of legalism because he or she will not go to the bar or club anymore? Of course not. Remember that they make those comments out of ignorance. |
7. If you don’t get the grace you must be lost. Some Christians have the willpower to stop masturbation and they stop. Some Christians don’t have the willpower but they do pray and prayer frees them from this behavior. Some Christians try to use willpower and prayer but still can’t find any freedom. When he looks for advice from other Christians or accountability groups they can’t offer lifestyle advice so he remains ignorant and powerless. There are many who struggle with this and other addictions who no longer go to church or believe in God because they were made to feel the promises of God failed them. The failure happens because there is no counsel on how to live a lifestyle to increase willpower and self-control.
8. Marriage is a real answer. Where is the counsel to get married? If you cannot stop masturbating then you need to seriously consider marriage as an appropriate answer. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:11 that there were sanctified believers in church. One chapter later Paul wrote that they should get married if they can not control themselves (see 1 Corinthians 7:9). This was written in the imperative. It was and remains the best advice.
8. Marriage is a real answer. Where is the counsel to get married? If you cannot stop masturbating then you need to seriously consider marriage as an appropriate answer. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:11 that there were sanctified believers in church. One chapter later Paul wrote that they should get married if they can not control themselves (see 1 Corinthians 7:9). This was written in the imperative. It was and remains the best advice.
There is no biblical support that the church is to be made up of cave dwelling non-sexual monks and nuns. Neither is there any biblical support that avoiding marriage and staying single with sexual desires is a great way to earn rewards points. This fantasy theology is from the devil and that great reformer Martin Luther had to deal with the same bad theology. He wrote an excellent commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:9 that can be read here.
9. Fantasy Theology Advice. Ignorance of the Bible, prayer, and the laws of human health results in weird and nonbiblical advice. Here are a few examples: Just look at the cross, just think happy thoughts, Behold the Lamb, Visualize his angels helping you, etc. Almost %100 of advice given nowadays is some type of abstract and nebulous nonsense with no helpful and practical tips. This makes sense though because the law has been tossed out and with it the need to learn how to control ourselves. In order to clean up the the mess that follows, a popular theology is created to help people crush the guilty conscience and rejoice in the fiction that they are saved while sinning.
10. Prayer is only for breakfast, baptism, and ball games. When most Christians do pray all their time and spiritual energy is used asking for forgiveness because of consistent lack of self-control. They have no time or energy left to intercede for the salvation of others or for the advancement of missions. The Bible says that Christians are priests for whom the privilege of prayer should be a source of great joy and strength. Instead the resulting sickness and guilt from their lifestyle has robbed and ruined the hour of prayer before it even begins. Just visit any prayer meeting and listen carefully, almost all the requests are for personal health issues. You are guaranteed not to hear mention of even one unreached people group. How to Stop Masturbation with Prayer.
11. Ignorant of Bible. They don’t read it or study it. The Bible is so boring to Christians and especially youth because they are so stimulated and cracked out on video games, spicy pig intestines, candy, caffeine, late nights, worldly music, fashion, TV, and sermons from Hollywood (movies).
12. God forgives everything I do. This common belief results from being ignorant of the Bible and the incorrect teaching that the law is done away with. Many Christians wrongly assume they have a Get of Jail Free Card and think to themselves “I can masturbate and view porn all that I want, God forgives.” Maybe that is a shock to you but many, many people do embrace and live by this belief.
13. Culture. Another result of bible ignorance is inability to distinguish bible and culture. Unfortunately because the Bible is set aside culture now dictates right and wrong. It’s not politically correct to point out sin. "Gotta celebrate diversity of sin and tolerance of sin. It’s not American to eat vegetables! Gotta get yo meat! Early sleep is for old people! I’m born this way! Just get sick and stay sick like the rest of us!"
14. Good Babylonian education for kids. Because Christians are ignorant of the Bible and friends with the world they teach the popular but unfounded idea that masturbation is healthy. Parents and teachers in Christian schools now repeat the famous masturbation mantra: it’s safe, normal and healthy….it’s safe, normal, and healthy….it’s safe, normal, and healthy. The irony is that Psychology Today and even secular universities are publishing enormous amounts of research giving solid evidence of the dangers and negative effects of porn and masturbation.
15. Changed theology to fit failure. We live in a world today where Christians have changed their theology to fit their failure. They have molded high and eternal principles to fit their indulgent and worldly lifestyle. The Bible has a beautiful message that by sharing through holy living and preaching should turn the world upside down as it was in Acts 17:6. Most Christians however do not want that life so they have to change their theology to fit their failure. With no call to holy living there is no incentive to obtain self-control. No verse in the Bible is more explicit on God's desire to see his people knowledgeable of how to have self-control than
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.
16. Sanctified Pork. With no law, no Bible, no prayer, and a Babylonian education the desire to be like the culture around them is fulfilled. Christians treat their body like trash bins. The amazing human body created by the hands of God that should be a spectacle of health, beauty, and energy has become a receptacle for all matter of rotting carcasses, mammary excretions, and culinary filth. They say it is God’s will to eat meat, to destroy themselves with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. They bless a meal that resulted from suffering and results in more suffering; how strange! They bless and sanctify a lifestyle that by ensuing sickness and destruction of the environment becomes a burden on themselves and everyone around them and an abomination to unbelieving nations. “For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18-19
9. Fantasy Theology Advice. Ignorance of the Bible, prayer, and the laws of human health results in weird and nonbiblical advice. Here are a few examples: Just look at the cross, just think happy thoughts, Behold the Lamb, Visualize his angels helping you, etc. Almost %100 of advice given nowadays is some type of abstract and nebulous nonsense with no helpful and practical tips. This makes sense though because the law has been tossed out and with it the need to learn how to control ourselves. In order to clean up the the mess that follows, a popular theology is created to help people crush the guilty conscience and rejoice in the fiction that they are saved while sinning.
10. Prayer is only for breakfast, baptism, and ball games. When most Christians do pray all their time and spiritual energy is used asking for forgiveness because of consistent lack of self-control. They have no time or energy left to intercede for the salvation of others or for the advancement of missions. The Bible says that Christians are priests for whom the privilege of prayer should be a source of great joy and strength. Instead the resulting sickness and guilt from their lifestyle has robbed and ruined the hour of prayer before it even begins. Just visit any prayer meeting and listen carefully, almost all the requests are for personal health issues. You are guaranteed not to hear mention of even one unreached people group. How to Stop Masturbation with Prayer.
11. Ignorant of Bible. They don’t read it or study it. The Bible is so boring to Christians and especially youth because they are so stimulated and cracked out on video games, spicy pig intestines, candy, caffeine, late nights, worldly music, fashion, TV, and sermons from Hollywood (movies).
12. God forgives everything I do. This common belief results from being ignorant of the Bible and the incorrect teaching that the law is done away with. Many Christians wrongly assume they have a Get of Jail Free Card and think to themselves “I can masturbate and view porn all that I want, God forgives.” Maybe that is a shock to you but many, many people do embrace and live by this belief.
13. Culture. Another result of bible ignorance is inability to distinguish bible and culture. Unfortunately because the Bible is set aside culture now dictates right and wrong. It’s not politically correct to point out sin. "Gotta celebrate diversity of sin and tolerance of sin. It’s not American to eat vegetables! Gotta get yo meat! Early sleep is for old people! I’m born this way! Just get sick and stay sick like the rest of us!"
14. Good Babylonian education for kids. Because Christians are ignorant of the Bible and friends with the world they teach the popular but unfounded idea that masturbation is healthy. Parents and teachers in Christian schools now repeat the famous masturbation mantra: it’s safe, normal and healthy….it’s safe, normal, and healthy….it’s safe, normal, and healthy. The irony is that Psychology Today and even secular universities are publishing enormous amounts of research giving solid evidence of the dangers and negative effects of porn and masturbation.
15. Changed theology to fit failure. We live in a world today where Christians have changed their theology to fit their failure. They have molded high and eternal principles to fit their indulgent and worldly lifestyle. The Bible has a beautiful message that by sharing through holy living and preaching should turn the world upside down as it was in Acts 17:6. Most Christians however do not want that life so they have to change their theology to fit their failure. With no call to holy living there is no incentive to obtain self-control. No verse in the Bible is more explicit on God's desire to see his people knowledgeable of how to have self-control than
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.
16. Sanctified Pork. With no law, no Bible, no prayer, and a Babylonian education the desire to be like the culture around them is fulfilled. Christians treat their body like trash bins. The amazing human body created by the hands of God that should be a spectacle of health, beauty, and energy has become a receptacle for all matter of rotting carcasses, mammary excretions, and culinary filth. They say it is God’s will to eat meat, to destroy themselves with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. They bless a meal that resulted from suffering and results in more suffering; how strange! They bless and sanctify a lifestyle that by ensuing sickness and destruction of the environment becomes a burden on themselves and everyone around them and an abomination to unbelieving nations. “For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18-19
About the author: At the age of 16, Andrew Michell was arrested by the police for seven kidnappings and armed robberies and sentenced to almost 13 years in prison from 1995-2008. It was during the first two years in solitary confinement when Andrew realized the value of living a life of self-control. After spending 10 years in prison Andrew experienced an amazing answer to prayer and was released from prison early in 2005 when the Governor of Washington commuted his sentence. Since his release Andrew has found great joy in helping others and has volunteered in schools, prisons, orphanages, and youth detention centers in different countries around the world. Because of his volunteer work the United States government granted a full pardon to Andrew in 2015. He is married and lives in Manila, Philippines.
September 25 Someone said: I'm a teenager. And I feel disgusted with myself knowing I masturbate. I've been trying a lot of times to stop masturbate but I couldn't. I was feeling depressed with all the problems I have. I've became lonely and lifeless. But I won't give up. I looked in my mirror and told myself "I must have full trust and faith in God." Then I've started to realize everything I should realize. Though at first I doubt God. But I discipline myself even more. So right now I'm starting to change and hopefully I wouldn't feel guilty with my masturbation issue. To stop masturbation > Have full trust and faith in God. Realize everything slowly but surely. Discipline yourself in a right and comfortable way you can. God bless everyone! -R.A.M.♡
May 3, 2016 Someone said: Wow thank you alot!
March 13, 2016 Someone said: I was disgusted at masturbation while I did that. I hated and still do on how I was going against God, but now I also see it as a disgrace: being selfish and giving myself to the world. I hated that I said I loved God but masturbated also, then isolating myself from God then asking for forgiveness making me see my love wasn't enough because it was an on going cycle where I had the power to stop but continued. Reading the bible I overcame masturbation I saw the accuser was trying to make me stop reading His word . I love and enjoy reading His word ask God for understanding and read kjz I even understand every word because God reveals the meaning to me. It was through God's grace I'm free and still fighting I tried many times but it was more like 98% I always had one thing that the deceiver could use against me like romantic books which made me feel desire. The deceiver told me it's just a book do you want to be those paranoid and crazy Christians. Always replace I'm tired, I can't keep on with I can makes a huge difference and dirty thought think no it's wrong with every evil dirty thought
May 3, 2016 Someone said: Wow thank you alot!
March 13, 2016 Someone said: I was disgusted at masturbation while I did that. I hated and still do on how I was going against God, but now I also see it as a disgrace: being selfish and giving myself to the world. I hated that I said I loved God but masturbated also, then isolating myself from God then asking for forgiveness making me see my love wasn't enough because it was an on going cycle where I had the power to stop but continued. Reading the bible I overcame masturbation I saw the accuser was trying to make me stop reading His word . I love and enjoy reading His word ask God for understanding and read kjz I even understand every word because God reveals the meaning to me. It was through God's grace I'm free and still fighting I tried many times but it was more like 98% I always had one thing that the deceiver could use against me like romantic books which made me feel desire. The deceiver told me it's just a book do you want to be those paranoid and crazy Christians. Always replace I'm tired, I can't keep on with I can makes a huge difference and dirty thought think no it's wrong with every evil dirty thought
December 12, 2015 Someone said: Hey Brothers and Sisters, i couldn't give answers to your Survey but there's hope for everyone who's struggling with Masturbation. I'm 16yo, a "fresh believer" from Germany since 6-10 months i think, but not really over 1 year. I even masturbated after i accepted Christ, but after the last time - never again. I don't know what God has changed inside of me, but if i'm tempted, even so strong like never before i can say No. It takes Patience, and i must pray while i'm tempted and fight, but i can say No. So while our flesh is weak God can give us power. You can share this as testimony, it's not too late until Christ is coming back - and you can overcome. I'd say accept Christ every day in your heart, give with a prayer to God in the Name of Jesus your life to God, again and again. He'll lead you to repentance. It is possible, and i know it his hard, especially for Young christians - but more harder than temptation can be God's work into your heart. God bless you Brothers and Sister! I still Need to learn a lot. But there's a way to overcome, the Blood of Christ.
October 19 Someone said:Truly that's is true.....I refuse to be deceived by Babylonian spirit. ...that goes plp to masterbation and sex before marriage
October 19 Someone said:Truly that's is true.....I refuse to be deceived by Babylonian spirit. ...that goes plp to masterbation and sex before marriage
February 10 Someone said: Thank you! I'm at a young age and I don't go to church, and this effecting grades
February 21 Someone from the USA said: so how Christians really avoid this evil thought?
February 21 Someone from the USA said: so how Christians really avoid this evil thought?
Thanks for your comment. Please read the other articles here for ideas. More will be published to answer this question so visit again in the future.
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April 29, 2014 Someone said: Another reason is that most Christians meet their sexual urges by masturbation since real and holy sex needs to wait till marriage. This act of masturbation makes it hard for us to approach God and serve diligently in our ministry coz of guilt n feeling dirty. However since the devil use the guilt to stop/diminish our service to God, I serve anyway regardless of how i feel. Thanks for the good article.
Thanks for your comment. "I serve regardless of how I feel." If someone cannot stop masturbating it does not mean they should stop trying to serve and help others otherwise lots of people would stop doing good. May God have mercy and help those trying to stop.
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May 8, 2014 Someone said: Faith without works is nothing.
September 1, 2014 Someone said: These are really powerful and helpful ways! Glory be to God and may he add a blessing to such an inspiration!
September 1, 2014 Someone said: These are really powerful and helpful ways! Glory be to God and may he add a blessing to such an inspiration!