Help/Opinion needed!!

[MJS]

Hello!

I need help with a certain subject and hoped I could get some advice aswell. Ofcourse, i'm only 15(As of last week..), and I've been reading the thread about "Masturbation" and why it's a sin, etc. etc.. I ofcourse agree that it is a sin 100% but that is where the problem and with the heart of this post lies.

I have tried to stop, anything I can think of...but I just cant, and the worst part about it is I continue to ask God for forgiveness each time I do it, but the same day I just break it again....how can I keep on asking God for forgiveness when I keep on breaking my sorrow? That's two sided....I've also asked him for strength to help me because I acknowledge that I cannot do it by myself, but for some reason i'm getting more and more tempted each time, and I cant stop it.

Any suggestions at all??(Something other then the usual...which would be "Get involved with more things, sports, school etc.")

Thanks.

God bless

-Matthew

 

[HomeChicklet]

Hey Matthew

your not alone in your struggle .. i much so struggle in this area as well... all i can say is that when it becomes harder its because satan is working agianst you.. i know i cant seem to stop either.. all i can say is that we need to pray against the sin agains the temptations and ask God for help... pray to him asking Him to keep the temptations down till you gain some stregth also the there is a verse and i dont know it but i know it says something to the extent of "wherever God allows temptation he allows a way out" i do believe its in 1Cor 10 somewhere i think... dont remember for sure if you ever want to talk about this more PM me

love ya in Christ
Mandy

 

[Johnnz]

I suggest both of you have a look at the several theads already on the forum on this topic. It it a very common issue, and often very painful.

You will find opinions differ, from always sin to its OK within some limits. Have a read and see what conclusions you come to. Believe me, you are not alone.

John
NZ

 

[VivDaGurl]

I'm glad that you knew masturbation isn't right and it's under the sexual immorality category. We are all human beings created by the Lord with feelings and also God made sexuality for our own pleassure. However, we shouldn't do what we are not supposed to do. We ask God to forgive us for not doing it and also we should to ask God to give us the strength to stop us. also for the fruit of the spirit to grow in you so that you will have the self control. We can't do this alone and we need God to be among us. Get close to God and get to know Him better. Read the Bible, a chapter a day and more.

Hope it helped.

 

[MJS]

-Hello Mandy

Thank you alot for your response! To be honest, I really never did think Girls had this problem, at all. It seems like the more times I ask for forgiveness, the more harder it becomes and the more I tend to break it. I did something so bad the other day, i'm too embaressed to even pray right now.

But once again thank you very much for your response, i'll definitely add you to my Buddy list on CF!

God bless

-Matthew

 

[kingzjewel]

hard thing to give up, i know...it's a shame. it took me nearly ten years and a wedding to stop. i pray it doesnt take as long for you both. self control is the key. pray for help with that and im sure you will get results.

 

[ascribe2thelord]

Hello!

I need help with a certain subject and hoped I could get some advice aswell. Ofcourse, i'm only 15(As of last week..), and I've been reading the thread about "Masturbation" and why it's a sin, etc. etc.. I ofcourse agree that it is a sin 100% but that is where the problem and with the heart of this post lies.

I have tried to stop, anything I can think of...but I just cant, and the worst part about it is I continue to ask God for forgiveness each time I do it, but the same day I just break it again....how can I keep on asking God for forgiveness when I keep on breaking my sorrow? That's two sided....I've also asked him for strength to help me because I acknowledge that I cannot do it by myself, but for some reason i'm getting more and more tempted each time, and I cant stop it.

Any suggestions at all??(Something other then the usual...which would be "Get involved with more things, sports, school etc.")

Thanks.

God bless

-Matthew

If you're trying to stop, and I do believe you're making an honest effort ... don't over-adjust to prevent masturbation. While I was struggling with guilt over it personally, I ran upon some article where some guy suggested wearing pajamas and tying a really tight knot around your waist.. and I'm thinking, yikes, it would not be comfortable to try to go to sleep like that. I couldn't.

I still do it even at 20 ... personally I think it's something I'll eventually grow out of, or sometime in the future I'll just root it out of my life. I'm not concerned about it as much as I used to be. Maybe I should be? I don't feel convicted over it as I used to ... yet for other things like lying and disobeying parents' orders, the Spirit's conviction consumes me.

If masturbation is a sin, it's got to be a pretty mild one compared to some of the other stuff you can get into (sexually speaking), i.e. extramarital sex, porn, homosexuality, and worse.

I don't want to be a stumbling block to you though. Do whatever keeps you right with God.

 

[madison1101]

Even middle aged women struggle with masturbation. But, I have learned a few things in my time. First, as a teenage boy, you are at your peak sexually, so the urge to relieve that tension is going to be worse before it eases off. Don't try to deny the urge is there. Having that urge is not a sin. Being tempted is not the problem.

My first suggestion is to get involved in a regular exercise program. Go running, join a sports team, lift weights, exhaust that body of your's physically, and see how tempted you are at night.

Second, immerse yourself in the Word, and Godly thinking. Meditate on scriptures. Read Psalm 51 when you fail and give in. Memorize Philippians 4, about thinking on Godly things.

Third, accept God's awesome love and forgiveness when you fail.

As you physically and socially mature, and later on have a wife with whom you can have sex, you will find the urges lessen, but may not go away entirely.

Romans 12:1. Be a sacrifice for God as much as you can.

Madison

 

[MJS]

Hello, once again.

I would love to thank each and every single one of you who have posted to try and offer help. I have also been messaged by a few of you, offering more in-depth help. I am going to try and read the Bible alittle at a time...and I mwill try and memorize some of the verses that were listed here. Again, thank you all for your gracious help, and may God bless you all! You may also continue to reply if you feel the need to.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

All of you: whatever you do, don't be too hard on yourselves.

 

[Hidden face_Hurting heart]

I stuggle in this area as well. I've tried praying about it, reading scripture, trying to do other things to distract myself...nothing has worked. I feel so guilty about it, but I don't know how to stop. Again and again I go before God asking for forgiveness and help in resisting the temptation, but I continue to fall. I don't even feel that it's right for me to go before God anymore when I have that constant sin. What can I do? PM me? Thanks. It's very reassuring to see that there are other Christians who struggle with this, and aren't afraid to ask help. It's the first time I've felt ok saying anything about it.

 

[Dexx]

All of you: whatever you do, don't be too hard on yourselves.

This is important. Ive councilled some teenagers who have beaten themselves up for years over not being able to stop. Some have ended up bitter against God and left the faith.

Personally i dont think touching yourself itself is a sin. However, the lust that fuels it usually is. In addition, lust is a slippery slope which always demands that you go further.

Consider parents of an alcoholic teenager. The parents still love their child just the same, even with their addiction. The last thing the parents want is for alcoholism to get between them and their son/daughter. Same deal with God. He knows that immorality is not good for you. However he doesnt want you burying yourself in guilt as that is even more unhealthy.

My conclusion - focus on your relationship with God. Confess whenever you fall. Dont focus on the problem of lust itself - it will become an obsession.

 

[Garnet]

Hi all, dealing with our human nature and physical desires can be so tough! And I think Mr. Cheese and others said really good things about it. First of all, don't obsess and drive yourself crazy over it. The more you say "I refuse to do it, I refuse to do it," the more you think about it and eventually fall into doing it again. Someone mentioned physical exercise to burn off some extra energy. That sounds like a great idea!

I'm also trying to deal with some recurring sin in my life, and I find myself beating myself to a pulp (figuratively!) over it sometimes. I have three verses that I try to come back to. They can't stop you from sinning, but they can help and encourage you to be strong.

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." - Psalms 103:12

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

"Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past." - Isaiah 43:18

I hope that helps some - good luck.

 

[HomeChicklet]

hey

MJS I added you to my AIM name....

also thanks for all the help because you starting this thread help me to admit that i was truggling with it as well... and to know someone else is as well is helpful to me... well i hate to say but im still dailing struggling with it as well.. but some above are right if we keep saying "im not gonna give in im not gonna give in" we eventually will cause the mroe we think on it the more we will begin to want it... i have learned this and i really hope that i am of some help... if you ever just need someone to talk to about anything Im here for you....

love ya lots
love always
mandy

 

[Mashley]

Hello!

I need help with a certain subject and hoped I could get some advice aswell. Ofcourse, i'm only 15(As of last week..), and I've been reading the thread about "Masturbation" and why it's a sin, etc. etc.. I ofcourse agree that it is a sin 100% but that is where the problem and with the heart of this post lies.

I have tried to stop, anything I can think of...but I just cant, and the worst part about it is I continue to ask God for forgiveness each time I do it, but the same day I just break it again....how can I keep on asking God for forgiveness when I keep on breaking my sorrow? That's two sided....I've also asked him for strength to help me because I acknowledge that I cannot do it by myself, but for some reason i'm getting more and more tempted each time, and I cant stop it.

Any suggestions at all??(Something other then the usual...which would be "Get involved with more things, sports, school etc.")

Thanks.

God bless

-Matthew

I understand what you are going through. I feel the same way. I feel guilty when I do it, so I ask for forgiveness. But then, maybe a few days later, I do it again. I thought I was doing a lot better, as it had been maybe over a week, but then turned around and did it. Then, I felt bad so I asked for forgiveness. But then, I feel bad cause I keep doing what I'm not supposed to do and asking for forgiveness for it over and over again! I think I can probably help myself more than I do though. I think you have to talk yourself out of it. Usually when I do it, it's when I've had a sexual dream the night before. I dwell on that dream all day, and the feelings overwhelm me. I will be praying for you.

 

[Swanee]

It is a battle that all school kids,and many others go through. Look for scripture that you can use against satan the way Jesus did when he was tempted. The verse that was mentioned earlier is 1Cor:10:13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God Bless You

 

[Swanee]

I hope I didn't sound self righteous, I didn't mean to. Masturbation is something that I also struggle with, especially now that I am separated. My prayers are with you, and me.

 

[janny108]

I am reading the book Not even a hint by Joshua Harris and there is a chapter about masturbation. There is no clear cut "one size fits all" way to quit doing this; it varies from person to person. The important thing is you are not alone in your struggle. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says there is no temptation than can affect us that other people are not affected by, but God provides a way of escape that we can bear up under it.
Here are some practical suggestions from the book. (BTW I did manage to overcome the masturbation issue, although I'm working hard to overcome the fantasy issues) This exercise is to identify weak spots where we feel most vulnerable to temptation.

1. the time of day. Suggestion: meditate on scriptures before you go to bed, play the radio softly at night (Christian station)

2. tempting locations-- know what they are and either limit your time there or stop going altogether. suggestion: if you have an accountability partner, tell them you are going to ___ part of town and then tell them what you did there afterwards.

3. TV--be careful what you watch and entertain. movies, tv. commercials even.suggestion: some guys make it a habit to click on to another channel if suggestive commercials are on. Romance movies was an issue for me.

4. magazines--

5.music

6.books-- erotic fiction, especially for women.

7. internet--this is probably a biggie with a lot of people. It can start out as something innocent, like looking at celebrity fashions, but can get perverted to other things. some people are more vulnerable at night or when you feel especially weak.

8.in public--sometimes it's a matter of looking the other way. The author shared that he and his family went to a certain beach and he got convicted because he found himself having thoughts about the women he'd seen, so he decided to go to a more isolated beach after that.

9. This is my experience. When you wake up in the morning, get up! Don't loll around in bed. Same is true if you wake up at night for any reason.

10. There is a website that was helpful to me in stopping to touch.
The mormons Called steps to overcoming masturbation.( I think that's a 1 in the website)


Like I said, I'm still working on this, but if we help each other where we are we can win!

I hope this helps some folks.
Jan