Masturbation Corruption

[TimothyH]

As long as he is under the guidance of a doctor, I think it’s OK for a teen to take anti-depressants.

But it is avoidance of the problem at best, and temporary. It does not get to the root of the problem which is self love. The root of the problem is that the one who masturbates loves himself more than he loves God, and therefor works to please himself rather than please God.

Note that I did not say that the person who masturbates does not love God, but that he loves himself more. This can be true even as he hates himself for what he does to God.

Until the person achieves a profound sense of humility - not humiliation, which is loss of dignity - but a profound sense of who God really is and who they really are in relation to God, until the person has a profound sense of that humility, they will always seek to please themself before they seek to please God.

To understand who God really is, the Creator of the Universe, and who we really are in comparison, a creation of the creator who is held in existence by the creator, is to understand truth, and to live in reality. Any solution which does not seek to live in this reality is avoidance of the truth, and is a continuation of living in distorted reality, where one’s own desire comes before God’s desire, and it permeates everything the person does, not just sexually, but every aspect of their life. They seek to please themselves, and look only for their own advantage.

I speak from experience.

Medication stops masturbation, which is a symptom of self-love, but it does not address the root of the problem, which is self-love. Internet filters may help, and accountablity partners, and getting rid of the TV and cutting off the gym membership and bouncing they eyes - they are all good techniques to break the habit, but self-love based on a distorted understanding of who God really is and who we really are in comparison to God is the root cause.

-Tim-

 

[AdamP88]

But it is avoidance of the problem at best, and temporary. It does not get to the root of the problem which is self love. The root of the problem is that the one who masturbates loves himself more than he loves God, and therefor works to please himself rather than please God.

Note that I did not say that the person who masturbates does not love God, but that he loves himself more. This can be true even as he hates himself for what he does to God.

Until the person achieves a profound sense of humility - not humiliation, which is loss of dignity - but a profound sense of who God really is and who they really are in relation to God, until the person has a profound sense of that humility, they will always seek to please themself before they seek to please God.

To understand who God really is, the Creator of the Universe, and who we really are in comparison, a creation of the creator who is held in existence by the creator, is to understand truth, and to live in reality. Any solution which does not seek to live in this reality is avoidance of the truth, and is a continuation of living in distorted reality, where one’s own desire comes before God’s desire, and it permeates everything the person does, not just sexually, but every aspect of their life. They seek to please themselves, and look only for their own advantage.

I speak from experience.

Medication stops masturbation, which is a symptom of self-love, but it does not address the root of the problem, which is self-love. Internet filters may help, and accountablity partners, and getting rid of the TV and cutting off the gym membership and bouncing they eyes - they are all good techniques to break the habit, but self-love based on a distorted understanding of who God really is and who we really are in comparison to God is the root cause.

-Tim-

This is very true…
The essence is to understand that God loves you despite EVERYTHING and to keep making the effort.
Prayer and persistence will destroy this habit.

 

[epan]

Do you have a reference for the bold statement? Are you referring to one’s sex life here?

There are numerous. Just google “dopamine and love” or “neurochemistry and love” or “neurochemistry and sexual attraction”

You can also look into the effects of dopamine inhibition, and come to your own conclusions.

My main point was that I would not alter my child’s brain chemistry merely to reduce the urge to masturbate. The inhibition to libido is THE most common complaint from patients on SSRI’s. The physiological mechanism for this is the inhibition of dopamine, which is a side effect of increased serotonin.

 

[epan]

Do you have a reference for the bold statement? Are you referring to one’s sex life here?

If you want a more academic resource, look up the work of Helen Fisher at Rutgers. She has done a lot in the area of brain function and love, including topics in neurochemistry and recently has been using functional MRI as a research tool in the topic. Her insights are interesting.

 

[CHC]

Joshua66:

First of all, I admire your strength in coming forward. You are not alone. This is a problem that millions of faithful Catholic teens & men, including you & me, have to deal with. There is a way to defeat this, but it doesn’t happen without prayer, patience and hard work. Don’t rule out therapy. Masturbation & porn can become an addiction with similar effects to alcohol & drugs. It can be treated in the same way. There are therapists out there-even ones who will talk to you over the phone- and you need to work a bit to find the right one. A good local priest can help steer you in the right direction. Try as many priests as you can find…even call them up in the phone book. Or try this website (it’s in NY) and call the number listed there: stfrancisnyc.org/center-for-spirituality/
Someone may be available to talk with you.

Watch shows like “Intervention” to see how addicts & their families deal with addiction.

Keep praying, avoid using computers alone, and don’t knock yourself when you fall. Go to confession regularly (that is what the sacrament is there for). And believe that God loves you, no matter what, and he’ll never leave you.

Also: The women on porn websites are often abused & drug addicted. Their only JOB is to bring you into their world. Don’t let them bring you down. The porn industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. They are only interested in money & destroying souls. They will not succeed with you. You are on God’s side. In your weakness, you show strength by admitting & accepting that you can’t do this by yourself, that you need help.

Saints are sinners who keep on trying. Keep trying & keep fighting. You will overcome because Jesus believes in you.

God bless!

 

[Julian_Peters]

For additional insight and advice, please see the following thread:
Specific Questions About an Old Topic: Masturbation