Celibacy

[Sabertooth]

I have never heard of celabicy as a gift either.

Articles on Celibacy as a Spiritual Gift

 

[prodromos]

But wet dreams and, sometimes, breastfeeding can. [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] attained by guiltless means are not condemned in Scripture.

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Do you treat it as such?

 

[ilovejcsog]

Some where along the way someone, I think it might have been Charles Stanley, asked, "Is what you are doing glorifying God?"

 

[Sabertooth]

Do you treat it as such?

Deliberately injure it? No. Basic maintenance, as needed (in all areas)? Certainly. I even pick my nose sometimes when no one is looking. Does that violate my temple, too (in your view)?

It is only considered "defiling" because your micro-managing traditions have deemed it so. We, who are not bound by your traditions, are neither bound to adopt their corollary paradigms.

 

[Sabertooth]

"Is what you are doing glorifying God?"

For the context of this thread, that is a logical fallacy known as "Appeal to emotion."

"Glorifying God" is an important consideration in the big picture activities of our lives, but it is overstated when trying to apply it to practices like nose-picking, zit-popping or other routine acts of body maintenance.

 

[prodromos]

Deliberately injure it? No. Basic maintenance, as needed (in all areas)? Certainly. I even pick my nose sometimes when no one is looking. Does that violate my temple, too (in your view)?

Masturbation is not maintenance of the body, basic or otherwise, although I am sure that those who wish to engage in it will convince themselves otherwise.

It is only considered "defiling" because your micro-managing traditions have deemed it so.

I understood it to be wrong long before I became Eastern Orthodox, so wrong again.

We, who are not bound by your traditions, are neither bound to adopt their corollary paradigms.

I'll let you keep your excuses for when you stand before the judgement throne on the last day.

 

[Sabertooth]

Masturbation is not maintenance of the body, basic or otherwise,...

Says you.

..., although I am sure that those who wish to engage in it will convince themselves otherwise.

And those who characterize it as defiling will feel (unnecessarily) condemned with every wet dream that they have.

I understood it to be wrong long before I became Eastern Orthodox, so wrong again.

Still not in your Bible.

I'll let you keep your excuses for when you stand before the judgement throne on the last day.

Thankfully, I won't be held to your extra-Biblical standards on that day. And Grace through Jesus' Blood is enough for everything else.

 

[prodromos]

And those who characterize it as defiling will feel (unnecessarily) condemned with every wet dream that they have.

You're making quite a habit of being wrong

 

[Sabertooth]

You're making quite a habit of being wrong

Not according to this poster, My dreams are causing me to sin. Should I stop sleeping?

 

[prodromos]

Not according to this poster, My dreams are causing me to sin. Should I stop sleeping?

I am not that member.

 

[ilovejcsog]

[QAnd those who characterize it as defiling will feel (unnecessarily) condemned with every wet dream that they have.UOTE=.[/QUOTE]
I think you feel condemned because you won't let this go. If you didn't feel condemned you would be satisfied with your belief enough to not argue the point. You wouldn't care what anyone else thinks. Hope you find peace over it.

 

[Sabertooth]

I think you feel condemned because you won't let this go. If you didn't feel condemned you would be satisfied with your belief enough to not argue the point. You wouldn't care what anyone else thinks.

No. I just feel like the masturbation-is-sin crowd cannot rightfully claim a monopoly in this sub-forum on this topic (with its inherent self-condemnation). In the Orthodox and Catholic sub-forums, yes, but it doesn't represent Christianity across the board anymore than teetotalism does.

 

[Messerve]

So, just my two cents on this topic... Awkward, but here we go...

If you touch out of lust and think sinful thoughts while doing it, it is most definitely a sin.

I think there is something Biblically to be said (for men anyway) against "wasting seed", which is something sacred on some level and not to be taken so lightly. I'm not sure if I would label it a sin, but it's dishonoring to God, I think.

If it's possible to think 100% non-sexual thoughts and touch and not bring yourself to the point of being "wasteful" in that way, then I personally don't think it's a sin.

As for adverse physical results of masturbating, I have heard mixed opinions. But I do believe for many it can become an addiction, which is not a good thing.

 

[Dave-W]

Celibacy is a gift from God, one Paul uses the word charisma for in 1 Cor 7. That is a supernatural gift of grace from the Holy Spirit, like prophecy and healing (as he used the same word in chapter 12)

So if you have to touch, I seriously doubt you have that gift.

 

[Dave-W]

Please do yourself a favor and educate yourself on what the definition of "masturbation" actually is.

US medical definition: Stimulating one’s own genitals to maintain or increase sexual arousal.

 

[MariaJLM]

So if you have to touch, I seriously doubt you have that gift.

I don't think that's necessarily true since there's monks and nuns who are genuinely called to be monastics. Of course that life entails being celibate, but even they occasionally get urges. They may not be as frequently occurring as they would be in somebody who is not celibate, but they do occur. We are taught to simply pray and such until they go away.

(Source: I'm celibate.)

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

are we confusing someone "playing with themselves" with attempting to arouse themselves unto an [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]?

 

[Saricharity]

it doesn't represent Christianity across the board

My father is a Pastor, and he would most definitely agree with you. This sin mentality is an odd one and does not represent all Christians across the board. Praise the Lord.


I would say that perhaps for some, it could lead to sin but the act itself is NOT a sin.
Goodness, this topic is something that weighs heavy on people.
Look at ANY reputable health website or ask your doctor. It is perfectly healthy in children, teens and adults. I don't have any children yet, but I would much rather have my teenager not read this type of thing. I remember reading about teens struggling with it so terribly...quite literally sobbing their hearts out and begging for advice in the teen forums...most Catholic. I think it became like an obsession to them. It's heartbreaking.
Teenagers come and read this "judgement" and maybe they do not come from homes that speak openly about sex. THIS places undue guilt and pressure on young people who are already struggling to remain celibate until marriage.
Maybe masturbation is a SIN to "you" but you shouldn't state so blatantly that it is a sin for all.
This is a case that you should keep your opinion between you and God. If you have been convicted that it's wrong, then you stand before God for your convictions. Don't place your convictions on others and certainly not on young people who may read this.

 

[Dave-W]

It's heartbreaking.
Teenagers come and read this "judgement" and maybe they do not come from homes that speak openly about sex. THIS places undue guilt and pressure on young people who are already struggling to remain celibate until marriage.

Indeed. The way I saw it then (as a college age single) and how I see it now is that married people (who at least theoretically have a way of relief) and mature believers, are putting an undue burden on believers who are not mature and cannot take that kind of pressure.

Think about it: If you are 12 or 14 years old, and you have a strong sexual urge, it will be OVER A DECADE before you can get any kind of relief from that.

 

[ilovejcsog]

Celibacy is not a gift from God. It is a matter of restraint. Anyone can restrain themselves if they choose to do so.