Masturbation is not inevitable!
Find concrete tips if you want to stop.
Check yourself first : how are you REALLY doing?
Masturbating over and over again hides something deeper. If you are stressed, frustrated, alone, depressed or even if you lack self-confidence, you will tend to look for a way out to escape reality and allay your frustrations.
For instance, people who use drugs do not necessarily like drugs : what they are really looking for and enjoying is the feeling it procures, meaning a complete void, the possibility of not thinking about anything and to escape from responsibilities and issues.
Identifying what is bothering you is the first step in helping you stop masturbation.
Do you REALLY want to stop?
Don’t answer too quickly Sis! Ask yourself if the love that God has for you is greater than your flesh.
Masturbation is a sin that gives pleasure and develops an addiction that’s why it’s difficult to stop. There was a pastor who said « God cannot deliver you from the demons you like to play with. » It means you have to want it first and work as a team with God and ask him to reject and hate this sin.
Remain in the presence of God
This includes regular Bible meditation and prayer.
You can also start a weekly fasting day. This is a good way to rule over your flesh and strengthen the Holy Spirit that is in you.
Have a worship song quickly accessible
Often times we sin direclty with our smartphone. Having a worship song is a good tool.
Praising God will immediately change the atmosphere and bring you to prayer.
Talk to someone you trust
Masturbation is a sin that can only thrive in darkness. It’s a sin that loves darkness, shame, secrecy and isolation. So choose a person (your pastor, brother, sister in Christ …) to whom you will surrender, who will not judge you but will support you and pray for you.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Sometimes our deliverance comes from others: by exposing your sin, you expose yourself to your own deliverance.
Acknowledge your sexual past
What I mean by past is relationships outside of marriage, molestation, rape, early exposure to pornography…
The devil tends to expose us to pornography very early on so that it becomes a habit, an addiction, to the point that you don’t even understand that this is a problem is and it seems impossible to stop. He wants that even if you quit at some point in your life, the seed remains planted and that you pick up going back at any time.
Even if you are not responsible for the things you have gone through, the choices you made after that are your sole responsibility, you gotta own it.
Identify the routine / scenario related to your fall
There is often a routine that accompanies masturbation. It can be when you are bored, when you are alone, when you come home from work …
Stay busy!
Being productive and creative, having a social life, occupations allows you to stay focused and active. It reduces the chances of falling just out of boredom.
Protect your senses: especially hearing and sight
Everything you expose yourself to is influence. Hearing and sight are the main doors.
Hearing includes your interactions with your friends and the music you listen to
Sight includes screens (reality TV, series, movies…) but also your readings.
Filter your screens (TV, phone, laptop & feeds)
Nowadays we’re all glued to our screens and the devil just needs one entrance. For him, an image = a door ajar to make you give in.
Here are some tips to maintain your purity while being on social media:
– set a parental control
– be careful what people send to you
– unfollow people if you need to
– take a break or social media fast for a while
– completely delete your accounts
Some things may seem drastic, but if you really want to stop, don’t be afraid to do whatever is necessary.
One man had said that he had thrown away his new Mac computer because it kept leading him to masturbation.
Know your periods as a woman
As a woman we have three stages in the month: menstruation, ovulation and the lutein phase.
If you notice that you struggle more during your ovulation period it’s completely normal.
It’s how God created us. You can write it down and pray harder during those days.
Exercise regularly
Exercising regularly allows you to release sexual energy and maintain control over your body. It’s also great for your mind and your figure!
WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU FELL
Pray directly
The devil’s goal is to break your prayer life and therefore your relationship with God to keep you in shame, guilt and sin. Don’t listen to the devil’s lies that tell you that you are not worthy to go before God!
Accept God’s forgiveness AND forgive yourself
1 John 1: 9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
Romans 5:20: The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more
Sometimes we stay stuck in this sin because we tell ourselves that we are unworthy of God, we are overwhelmed with shame and guilt.
Accept God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself to move forward!
Tell someone you trust, pastor
As mentioned above, having support will help you stay strong.
Get back up again and again!
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
God always offers a way out and no temptation is too overwhelming.
Examine what made you fall
There is often a routine associated with masturbation, but observe if this time it was different.
Psalm 37: 23-24:
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
God loves you, he is a good and patient father! There is love, mercy, grace and forgiveness with Him! Not only does he give you a way out, he always gives you second chances!
For My Soul Sistas 