Masturbation has gradually become the common sin of some Christians, something that many practice but very few want to talk about. We know deep down that it is wrong but, how exactly? Here are some verses that will help you.
Masturbation is sexual immorality
1 Corinthians 6: 18-19
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Proverbs 16:30
Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
Proverbs 31:3
Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
When we succumb to this sin, we tend to say to ourselves « I’m not hurting anyone, it’s just me! At least I’m not falling with anybody ». We lock ourselves in a room, in the dark, alone and so we convince ourselves that no one will ever know and that we are not hurting anyone.
1 Corinthians 6: 18-19 proves to us that we hurt the most important person in the eyes of God: OURSELVES!
In addition, watching explicit or even pornographic images is lust. Even if we do not concretely give in with the person we covet, we give in in our heart and in our flesh.
God always offers a way out!
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has come to you that was not human, and God, who is faithful, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength; but along with temptation he will also prepare the way out, so that you can endure it.
Psalm 37: 23-24
The steps of a man are established by Yahweh, and he delights in his way; 24If he falls, he is not thrown down, for the LORD takes his hand.
It’s the devil’s purpose to make you believe that the best way to resist temptation is to give in to it. The devil embellishes sin by making you believe that it is just a small sin without consequences; it tempts you with what you love and once you fall it leaves you filled with guilt.
God will always present you with a way out. It could be in the form of a friend call, someone knocking on your door, a notification on your phone … you just have to decide to enter it.
Your deliverance can come from others
James 5:16
So confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
Proverbs 28:13
He who hides his transgressions does not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy.
Masturbation is a sin that loves secrecy and loneliness, and which can only thrive in darkness. The moment you confide in someone, masturbation has no power. Choose a trusted person, your pastor, a brother or sister of Christ whom you can confide in, who will pray for you.
God forgives everything
1 John 1: 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us for them, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 5:20
Now the law came in, that offense should abound, but where sin abounded, grace superabundated, 21so that, as sin reigned through death, so grace reigned through righteousness unto everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Often what locks us in this sin is not the devil but ourselves! We convince ourselves that we are not worthy of God, we feel dirty, we cannot forgive ourselves or receive God’s forgiveness. Know that Christ went to the Cross out of love for you and that you are already forgiven.
For My Soul Sistas 