Masturbation: NOT A SIN

[CWBetts]

Not that we should, I think we have to, for most, the sex drive is too strong for them to overcome.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” --Phillipians 4:13

Nothing is to powerful for the Grace of Our Lord to overcome. Unless, that is, you think there are limits to God’s Grace.

 

[Methodi]

Its always very interesting to see the so called positives of Masturbation highlighted when we’re seeking to endulge in fleshly activity and want to be justified in our actions.

Firstly : Even in the world the unregenerate finds the act of maturbation a shameful thing.
In the UK to call someone a “Wanker” refers to a person who masturbates. Its an insulting term and would result in great offence to anyone. We don’t find people boasting about the act of maturbation although we find the unregenerate boasting about all manner of sexual conquest. So its evident that in the world this act is considered something to be kept secret and is shameful (regardless of what a book or web site will tell us).

Second : The Scriptures tell us that the things of the World, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life war against the Christian. Masturbation is a result of a need to endulge the lust of the flesh, the body craves a release and in the act of masturbation we submit ourselves to that craving thus submitting ourselves to the flesh. In my experience as a soldier I found that engaging in this act did not actually result in long term relief. In fact the more you engage in this practice the more you need to do it.

Now like a smoker your hooked, Ask yourself who you are now enslaved to “the Spirit” or "the flesh.

Third: The New Testament makes reference to “uncleaness” as a sinful action and there is a clear link with the Old Testament references to the “uncleaness” mentioned in the Law of Moses. We find that even a night time emission of semen made a man “unclean” and this was obviously not a moral action on his part as he was asleep and unaware of what was happening.

Finally: Having been in a situation of having a regular craving for this act and feeling very condemned I, like many, tried to stop, failed, and so then tried to find some justification for the act in order to be free of guilt. The enemy will tell you “you can’t overcome this so you might as well just give in and get on with it”.

The reality is that “no temptation is unique and a way out is always available”

In my experience giving this up is like giving up smoking, once you’ve got past a period of four weeks the craving becomes less.

The enemy will tell you throughout this “cold turkey” period “that it’ll never get better so just give in” but that is a lie.

Obviously prayer, fasting and watching out excellent disciplines for aiding a person through this period.

I hope this helps

I am Glad That worked for you, But it doesn`t work for everyone

 

[PeliganPelican]

“Work” involves “us” and “God”

I understand the feeling deep down in the stomach the aching and know the struggle and even now I could not say that I will not fall in this area again.

But the question I need to ask myself is “does this have dominion over me or is it Christ”

Failure is always met by the Grace of God but willful unrestrained indulgence is not

I don’t offer a method only “Christ”

It is good to have the help of a brother in this fight, we war against the flesh and the world in a spritual battle.

It is all well and good for me to say “you can win” “you can stop this” but I must also be prepared to join a brother in battle, in prayer, fasting and watching.

If you need a friend in battle then I and others should help and be prepared to sacrifice ourselves in the conflict.

Much Love

 

[Methodi]

“Work” involves “us” and “God”

I understand the feeling deep down in the stomach the aching and know the struggle and even now I could not say that I will not fall in this area again.

But the question I need to ask myself is “does this have dominion over me or is it Christ”

Failure is always met by the Grace of God but willful unrestrained indulgence is not

I don’t offer a method only “Christ”

It is good to have the help of a brother in this fight, we war against the flesh and the world in a spritual battle.

It is all well and good for me to say “you can win” “you can stop this” but I must also be prepared to join a brother in battle, in prayer, fasting and watching.

If you need a friend in battle then I and others should help and be prepared to sacrifice ourselves in the conflict.

Much Love

Thank You Mr. Pelican!I myself have struggled with this for many many years in spite of being married etc. I also know many others who are married & still masturbate, not to be disrespectful to God, But There are many many who commit this act , about 95% of people do, & I dont believe it`s done intentionally to offend God

 

[JohnnyYank]

Slavery is slavery…you can dance around the issue but all slavery is wrong!

Masturbation Is simply a normal healthy sexual practice

And the Vatican worried more about protecting its treasures than the slaughter of innocents…I’m sure God was not happy with that !

By the way they were the same people who appointed he folks that would later play a game of musical pedophiles and only face up to what they did by force! Remember these are human beings and they made some very bad choices…so maybe all along some of their interpeting of Gods word may have been flawed…I never read one word by Jesus about masturbation or homosexuality…but lots about false pride and adultry

My Immortal Soul Yes I have talked to quite a number of priests both in and out of confession and …these are good priest HOLY men…and they are not in agreement with
current Church Hierachy on many gender/and sexual issues. So You can be smug and think I am talking out my butt …but I am not I assure you. God is a God of love and compassion and all the fearmongoring and old school threats of hell…are outdated and considered down right silly by modern theologians.

As for me after I heard you ban people from the forums for speaking their minds…I had all the answers I needed about your morality!

Pax
I shall spend my heaven doing good on earth!

 

[Methodi]

Slavery is slavery…you can dance around the issue but all slavery is wrong!

Masturbation Is simply a normal healthy sexual practice

And the Vatican worried more about protecting its treasures than the slaughter of innocents…I’m sure God was not happy with that !

By the way they were the same people who appointed he folks that would later play a game of musical pedophiles and only face up to what they did by force! Remember these are human beings and they made some very bad choices…so maybe all along some of their interpeting of Gods word may have been flawed…I never read one word by Jesus about masturbation or homosexuality…but lots about false pride and adultry

My Immortal Soul Yes I have talked to quite a number of priests both in and out of confession and …these are good priest HOLY men…and they are not in agreement with
current Church Hierachy on many gender/and sexual issues. So You can be smug and think I am talking out my butt …but I am not I assure you. God is a God of love and compassion and all the fearmongoring and old school threats of hell…are outdated and considered down right silly by modern theologians.

As for me after I heard you ban people from the forums for speaking their minds…I had all the answers I needed about your morality!

Pax
I shall spend my heaven doing good on earth!

A lot of truth in what You said there Johnny!

 

[PeliganPelican]

Thank You Mr. Pelican!I myself have struggled with this for many many years in spite of being married etc. I also know many others who are married & still masturbate, not to be disrespectful to God, But There are many many who commit this act , about 95% of people do, & I dont believe it`s done intentionally to offend God

Yes I to am married and this can make things even harder than for a single man. As a married man I have to live daily with an attractive female who I love and desire but may not have the same sexual drive that I have. This makes the desire for release even greater.

I agree with you that people dont do this to be disrepectful to God although the problem is more about the God who is jealously loving me and wants to see me become more like His Son.

God understands our needs as does the Apostle who said that a man and women should not with hold their bodies from each other becuase of the all the sexual temptations that were rife at that time and are still today.

Sadly this practice of not with holding is very often not followed and there may be good reason why this would happen, disability, illness etc.

To be very honest “the use of pornography” can also follow on from all of this and this is clearly a problem.

There have been many occasions were I am sure things are going to take place at bed time only to find they don’t - at this point I’m very vulnerable!

In Love

 

[CWBetts]

Slavery is slavery…you can dance around the issue but all slavery is wrong!

Masturbation Is simply a normal healthy sexual practice

And the Vatican worried more about protecting its treasures than the slaughter of innocents…I’m sure God was not happy with that !

By the way they were the same people who appointed he folks that would later play a game of musical pedophiles and only face up to what they did by force! Remember these are human beings and they made some very bad choices…so maybe all along some of their interpeting of Gods word may have been flawed…I never read one word by Jesus about masturbation or homosexuality…but lots about false pride and adultry

My Immortal Soul Yes I have talked to quite a number of priests both in and out of confession and …these are good priest HOLY men…and they are not in agreement with
current Church Hierachy on many gender/and sexual issues. So You can be smug and think I am talking out my butt …but I am not I assure you. God is a God of love and compassion and all the fearmongoring and old school threats of hell…are outdated and considered down right silly by modern theologians.

As for me after I heard you ban people from the forums for speaking their minds…I had all the answers I needed about your morality!

Pax
I shall spend my heaven doing good on earth!

Hate to break it to you…masturbation is fornication. You are fornicating with yourself. It is a gravely disordered desire to be resisted at all costs.

 

[dan1el]

The truth is that the sex urge is so strong, that not all ,but a great amount of people cannot control it.

“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, who walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh…”
“The fruit of the spirit is… self control…”

If you are in the Spirit, you have no condemnation, because you have the fruit of the spirit: self-control; if not, you are condemned for walking in the flesh. Repent.

 

[CWBetts]

“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, who walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh…”
“The fruit of the spirit is… self control…”

If you are in the Spirit, you have no condemnation, because you have the fruit of the spirit: self-control; if not, you are condemned for walking in the flesh. Repent.

That seems a tad harsh. You have no idea what the condition of anyone’s soul is! And I can guarentee you lose battles with sin yourself! After all you are human. Pointing a finger and ordering someone else to repent is not the way of Christians! I may speak boldly about what is and is not sin, but I do not question the state of another’s soul. It is not my place. It is not something I could possibly know. Besides, Methodi seems very sincere, we just have a differnce of opinion. So my question to you is this: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO QUESTION ANOTHER’S FAITH
Nuff said.

 

[Methodi]

That seems a tad harsh. You have no idea what the condition of anyone’s soul is! And I can guarentee you lose battles with sin yourself! After all you are human. Pointing a finger and ordering someone else to repent is not the way of Christians! I may speak boldly about what is and is not sin, but I do not question the state of another’s soul. It is not my place. It is not something I could possibly know. Besides, Methodi seems very sincere, we just have a differnce of opinion. So my question to you is this: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO QUESTION ANOTHER’S FAITH
Nuff said.

Thank You Mr Betts, I find You to be a fine gentleman too, tho we have different opinions

 

[dan1el]

That seems a tad harsh. You have no idea what the condition of anyone’s soul is! And I can guarentee you lose battles with sin yourself! After all you are human. Pointing a finger and ordering someone else to repent is not the way of Christians! I may speak boldly about what is and is not sin, but I do not question the state of another’s soul. It is not my place. It is not something I could possibly know. Besides, Methodi seems very sincere, we just have a differnce of opinion. So my question to you is this: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO QUESTION ANOTHER’S FAITH
Nuff said.

Warning: our Lord will judge all of us who love to contend: it is disgusting to Him, it is a sin - people who love to babble.

The Lord gave us an example when he cleansed the Apostles’ feet, saying that we should wipe one anothers’ feet as well. The feet represents our WALK with Jesus Christ. “You are clean through this word that I have spoken to you…” We help one another when we rebuke eachothers’ sins (“if there are two men and one falls, the othe can pick him up, but woe unto that man who is alone when he falls!” Ecc 4:9-10) Don’t take it as an offense to be corrected: if you were walking with Jesus in the Spirit, you would have the fruit of being in the Spirit: self-control Gal 5:22,23. To be in deliberate sin is not only a lack of self-control, but a violation of your own conscience, as ANYONE can tell you; and, because I love you, I tell you the truth: I can garauntee you that you are NOT walking with God with unrepentant sin in your life.

Another example of how we are told to correct one another is how Timothy was told to “rebuke” (sharply correct) the believer (because it is an action we are to take, because we love our brothers, and hope that they would correct us, too - in love - if they saw us in error) :

"2preach (A)the word; be ready in season and out of season; (B)reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great (C)patience and instruction.

3For (D)the time will come when they will not endure (E)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires," 2 Tim 4:2-4

Our** bodily** desire are not the desires of the Spirit of God. Which of the commandments are ou fulfilling when you masturbate? The one that says to treat the temple of God holy, for He is holy? The one that says, “as dear children, be imitators of God…” ? Does God do this, so that you are copying Him? Of course not! He is holy! You are doing an UNHOLY DEED. Repent. Repent means to change your mind, and head in the other direction. I need to repent - everyone needs to repent. We are called to live lives of repentance; but this is the last post I am making to this board.

I do not want to offend, but if you’re offended at the truth, that is your business, not mine.

Ofcourse I fail. There are times I fall HARD, but I don’t change Scripture; I accept the fact that I have sinned, and God has mercy on me because He loves me and values me as His own child.

But what was Paul’s response to the immorality of the Corinthian church? His scathing letter to them: 1 Corinthians - which letter caused **godly sorrow - unto repentance ** 2 Corinthians cogratulates their zeal they showed in removing their sin of immorality from their midst : 2 Cor 7:8-12

Eph 5:3 says, “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.”

There is NO ROOM FOR IMMORALITY. If you do not understand this, you need God’s help.

 

[PeliganPelican]

Matthew 23:4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

We need to be sure that we balance our approach to a brothers apparent struggle with the flesh with a willing desire and offer to “lift a finger to help them”

Always in Love

 

[CWBetts]

Warning: our Lord will judge all of us who love to contend: it is disgusting to Him, it is a sin - people who love to babble.

The Lord gave us an example when he cleansed the Apostles’ feet, saying that we should wipe one anothers’ feet as well. The feet represents our WALK with Jesus Christ. “You are clean through this word that I have spoken to you…” We help one another when we rebuke eachothers’ sins (“if there are two men and one falls, the othe can pick him up, but woe unto that man who is alone when he falls!” Ecc 4:9-10) Don’t take it as an offense to be corrected: if you were walking with Jesus in the Spirit, you would have the fruit of being in the Spirit: self-control Gal 5:22,23. To be in deliberate sin is not only a lack of self-control, but a violation of your own conscience, as ANYONE can tell you; and, because I love you, I tell you the truth: I can garauntee you that you are NOT walking with God with unrepentant sin in your life.

Another example of how we are told to correct one another is how Timothy was told to “rebuke” (sharply correct) the believer (because it is an action we are to take, because we love our brothers, and hope that they would correct us, too - in love - if they saw us in error) :

"2preach (A)the word; be ready in season and out of season; (B)reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great (C)patience and instruction.

3For (D)the time will come when they will not endure (E)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires," 2 Tim 4:2-4

Our** bodily** desire are not the desires of the Spirit of God. Which of the commandments are ou fulfilling when you masturbate? The one that says to treat the temple of God holy, for He is holy? The one that says, “as dear children, be imitators of God…” ? Does God do this, so that you are copying Him? Of course not! He is holy! You are doing an UNHOLY DEED. Repent. Repent means to change your mind, and head in the other direction. I need to repent - everyone needs to repent. We are called to live lives of repentance; but this is the last post I am making to this board.

I do not want to offend, but if you’re offended at the truth, that is your business, not mine.

Ofcourse I fail. There are times I fall HARD, but I don’t change Scripture; I accept the fact that I have sinned, and God has mercy on me because He loves me and values me as His own child.

But what was Paul’s response to the immorality of the Corinthian church? His scathing letter to them: 1 Corinthians - which letter caused **godly sorrow - unto repentance ** 2 Corinthians cogratulates their zeal they showed in removing their sin of immorality from their midst : 2 Cor 7:8-12

Eph 5:3 says, “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.”

There is NO ROOM FOR IMMORALITY. If you do not understand this, you need God’s help.

I have heard it said that Catholics are self-righteous. This my, friend is evidence that you, a non-Catholic are more judgemental than any Catholic I have ever met. I do not make excuse for immorality. I do recognize that God forgives. I do have some questions for you:
Are you as holy as St. Paul? I guess you are since you seem to bewithout sin, judging by the stones you are throwing. Remeber Paul also says if you have faith, but not charity, then you are nothing. Or since that doesn’t give you an excuse to yell at CAtholics who are struggling with sin you kind of skip over that part?

 

[distracted]

Be real, this is truth, maybe not from the bible but in reality

truth is that sin (masturbation being one of the most serious) separates us from God and from others… messes up our relationship with both…

the truth is that something is either poison or it is not… and it will maim &/or kill regardless of the intention of the one who ingests it…

 

[distracted]

. I also know many others who are married & still masturbate, not to be disrespectful to God, But There are many many who commit this act , about 95% of people do, & I dont believe it`s done intentionally to offend God

probably no sin is done deliberately to offend God… but it offends nonetheless…

and i don’t understand married people having this kind of weakness… talk about self-indulgent…

I am not married & have been celibate for a very long time… and i do not commit this sin (can’t say i am never* tempted*… not by a long shot… & i know it is only the power of Christ that keeps me from it…).

i’m female but - surprise surprise!!! - Hard to believe and all that, but i have a VERY strong sex drive, as they call it… (seems the longer i am celibate, the more i am attracted to just about any male i see… True story… )

it is NOT easy to resist those kinds of feelings… but i am proof positive that it can be done…

JEsus said there are few who find the narrow way to eternal life… One reason for that is that people make excuses for their sins & make excuses over and over until - voie la… virtually no more conscience… (excuses like: I am human… God gave me these desires, so there’s nothing wrong with it… etc…)…

you can rationalize gluttony but when you are 50 pounds overweight, with high bl pressure and plugged up arteries,. facing the possibility of a stroke or heart attack any minute of the day… you begin to realize you have not always made wise, self-concerned choices…

 

[distracted]

I have heard it said that Catholics are self-righteous. This my, friend is evidence that you, a non-Catholic are more judgemental than any Catholic I have ever met. I do not make excuse for immorality. I do recognize that God forgives. I do have some questions for you:
Are you as holy as St. Paul? I guess you are since you seem to bewithout sin, judging by the stones you are throwing. Remeber Paul also says if you have faith, but not charity, then you are nothing. Or since that doesn’t give you an excuse to yell at CAtholics who are struggling with sin you kind of skip over that part?

I’m sorry but i don’t see this person’s post as being judgmental…

you would probably say mine are as well… but i am just trying to call a spade a spade… as this person is also…

 

[distracted]

That seems a tad harsh. You have no idea what the condition of anyone’s soul is! And I can guarentee you lose battles with sin yourself! After all you are human. Pointing a finger and ordering someone else to repent is not the way of Christians! I may speak boldly about what is and is not sin, but I do not question the state of another’s soul. It is not my place. It is not something I could possibly know. Besides, Methodi seems very sincere, we just have a differnce of opinion. So my question to you is this: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO QUESTION ANOTHER’S FAITH
Nuff said.

this may be a “tad harsh” as well but can’t help but see that you are the proverbial pot caling the proverbial kettle black here…

In fact, your comments seem a lot “blacker” than the one you respond to… Just my opinion… don’t mean to be negative…

 

[distracted]

Slavery is slavery…you can dance around the issue but all slavery is wrong!

Masturbation Is simply a normal healthy sexual practice

eating is normal healthy practice as well, but you can’t just eat anything… you can’t eat significant amounts of arsenic without problems…
It’s interesting that when i was not close to Jesus, i thought this way… that masturbation wasn’t that big a deal… Now that i am intimate with Jesus… I see it as a very serious “disorder” as the catechism calls it…

So… i guess one could sayt that it doesn’t pay to be close to Jesus… (?) Well, the Scirptures tell us that the will of God will be accomplished through HIM… HE is the King… and no one else…or as the worldly folks would say: He paid the cost to be the boss… Thank you, Jesus…

and The will of God is that pepole get to Heaven…something JEsus said over and over is NOT easy… (mt 7:13, 20 / Luke 13:24…). The fact that it is not easy is shown by a crucifix… Look what it took to open the doors to Heaven!!

In order to get to Heaven one must be PURE… (Rev 21:27, etc…).

And the Vatican worried more about protecting its treasures than the slaughter of innocents…I’m sure God was not happy with that !

the Vatican doesn’t care about temporal things… Oh, i know there are a few apostates working in the Vatican… but they do not have the power to overcome the Spirit of God that is also there… (st. mt 28:20, st Mt 16;18)

I never read one word by Jesus about masturbation or homosexuality…but lots about false pride and adultry

there are things in the OT about masturbation… You don’t know the scriptures well, aparently… In Ephesians (I think 5?) it speaks of sexual immorality… which masturbation is…

My Immortal Soul Yes I have talked to quite a number of priests both in and out of confession and …these are good priest HOLY men…and they are not in agreement with
current Church Hierachy on many gender/and sexual issues.

big deal. They are human, remember???

God is a God of love and compassion and all the fearmongoring and old school threats of hell....

God is PURE… and in His LOVE… he knows that it is best for us to be pure also… so we can be in Heaven where no impure thing is… In an imperfect world it is difficult to even conceive of a world where everyting is perfect… and perfectly pure… but there is a Heaven that is… And if anything impure was allowed to enter… it would no longer be Heaven…

As for me after I heard you ban people from the forums for speaking their minds…I had all the answers I needed about your morality!

!

hmmm… this i don’t have a problem with… i also think it is not right to ban someone for speaking his/her mind (as long as there is no gratuitous obscenity used… and all obscenity is gratuitous… )

 

[CWBetts]

this may be a “tad harsh” as well but can’t help but see that you are the proverbial pot caling the proverbial kettle black here…

In fact, your comments seem a lot “blacker” than the one you respond to… Just my opinion… don’t mean to be negative…

You, my friend are nothing more that one of those who feel that they have arrived. I am not so bold to think that. I have never read one of your posts where you do not place yourself on a pedestal above the rest of us. THat being said, I have no right to question the state of your soul. Anyone who does so is placing themselves on the same level as God. Hou do you like them apples?