Porn addiction has run rampant
in the world today thanks to the internet. Anyone can access pornography from
their computer, and thanks to phones and tablets, now it’s even easier to
access porn! You don’t even have to be glued to a computer to look at it! I’ve
seen many statistics of how many men and women are addicted to pornography.
What pains me even more is how many Christian men and women are addicted
to it! I won’t go into those statistics. You can look them up yourselves. But I
think once you look at them, it’ll be clear to you that we’ve got an epidemic
on our hands. As I said above, even many Christians are addicted to
pornography, or they’re not addicted to porn, but they’re addicted to
masturbation and pornography is only a means to that end.
in the world today thanks to the internet. Anyone can access pornography from
their computer, and thanks to phones and tablets, now it’s even easier to
access porn! You don’t even have to be glued to a computer to look at it! I’ve
seen many statistics of how many men and women are addicted to pornography.
What pains me even more is how many Christian men and women are addicted
to it! I won’t go into those statistics. You can look them up yourselves. But I
think once you look at them, it’ll be clear to you that we’ve got an epidemic
on our hands. As I said above, even many Christians are addicted to
pornography, or they’re not addicted to porn, but they’re addicted to
masturbation and pornography is only a means to that end.
For the truly born again
Christian, being enslaved to such a sinful activity as masturbation can be
extremely painful emotionally, for the one born of God loathes sin and desires
not to have anything to do with it. As scripture says “No one who is
born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they
cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” (1 John
3:9) and moreover, The Bible teaches that if we truly love Jesus, we will
strive to do His will. We will try to please Him rather than displease Him.
Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (John 14:2)
and He said “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” (John 14:23)
So, if a person loves Jesus, he will do everything he can to make Him happy,
and it will grieve him when he fails at that goal. Porn is clearly a sin, for
Jesus said “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has
already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28
Christian, being enslaved to such a sinful activity as masturbation can be
extremely painful emotionally, for the one born of God loathes sin and desires
not to have anything to do with it. As scripture says “No one who is
born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they
cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” (1 John
3:9) and moreover, The Bible teaches that if we truly love Jesus, we will
strive to do His will. We will try to please Him rather than displease Him.
Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (John 14:2)
and He said “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” (John 14:23)
So, if a person loves Jesus, he will do everything he can to make Him happy,
and it will grieve him when he fails at that goal. Porn is clearly a sin, for
Jesus said “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has
already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28
I know of some people who have
struggled with these things for years and have still yet to break free from the
hold sexual sin has over them. They’ve prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and
prayed, and prayed, they’ve struggled to resist, they’ve even tried to emulate
Jesus by quoting scripture when the temptations came (see Matthew 4) to make
the devil leave them alone, and they’ve scanned the scriptures for answers, but
after years of fighting the addiction, the withdrawals still overcome them.
struggled with these things for years and have still yet to break free from the
hold sexual sin has over them. They’ve prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and
prayed, and prayed, they’ve struggled to resist, they’ve even tried to emulate
Jesus by quoting scripture when the temptations came (see Matthew 4) to make
the devil leave them alone, and they’ve scanned the scriptures for answers, but
after years of fighting the addiction, the withdrawals still overcome them.
After a trillion failures, it
can be next to impossible to continue to believe that you’ll ever be able to
live a life without getting your sexual fix. It can be so easy to give into
defeatism. I have a logical argument that will give any war wary Christian hope
that he WILL be freed from his porn or masturbation
addiction some day. It goes like this:
can be next to impossible to continue to believe that you’ll ever be able to
live a life without getting your sexual fix. It can be so easy to give into
defeatism. I have a logical argument that will give any war wary Christian hope
that he WILL be freed from his porn or masturbation
addiction some day. It goes like this:
1: If we pray for something
that is God’s will, we will receive it.
that is God’s will, we will receive it.
2: It is God’s will that I be
freed from sexual immorality, to control my body, and to not live in lust like
the pagans.
freed from sexual immorality, to control my body, and to not live in lust like
the pagans.
3: Therefore, if I pray to be
freed from sexual immorality, to control my body, and to not live in lust like
the pagans, God will answer this prayer.
freed from sexual immorality, to control my body, and to not live in lust like
the pagans, God will answer this prayer.
This is a logically valid
syllogism, following the rule modus ponens. Premise 1 is proven true by 1 John
5:14-15. Premise 2 is proven by 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5.
syllogism, following the rule modus ponens. Premise 1 is proven true by 1 John
5:14-15. Premise 2 is proven by 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5.
“This is the confidence
we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he
hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have
what we asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he
hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have
what we asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
“It is God’s will that
you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of
you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of
you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
Since both premises are true,
the conclusion logically and necesarilly follows. God’s Word is truth (John
17:17) because it is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) by the God who cannot
lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). Not to mention we have very good
independent reasons to believe that The Bible is divinely inspired besides The Bible’s own attestation to its inspiration [1]see
“5 Reasons To Believe The Bible Is Divinely Inspired”.
the conclusion logically and necesarilly follows. God’s Word is truth (John
17:17) because it is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) by the God who cannot
lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). Not to mention we have very good
independent reasons to believe that The Bible is divinely inspired besides The Bible’s own attestation to its inspiration [1]see
“5 Reasons To Believe The Bible Is Divinely Inspired”.
Therefore, it is absolutely
impossible for this conclusion to be false! The only way for it to be false is
if one of the premises were false! But the premise cannot be false! God’s Word
proves the premises of the argument! Therefore, anyone who struggles with
sexual sin, be it masturbation addiction, porn addiction, or what have you,
will be given the power to break these chains and be free, provided that
freedom is truly what they desire [2]i.e don’t be like Augustine and pray “Lord,
make me chaste, but not yet.”. If God hasn’t yet freed you from your pornography/masturbation
addiction, the best (and only) explanation is that He plans to do it at some
time in the future. The answer cannot be “yes” if you’re still enslaved, but it
cannot be “no” either. The best (and only) possible explanation is that His answer
is “not yet”.
impossible for this conclusion to be false! The only way for it to be false is
if one of the premises were false! But the premise cannot be false! God’s Word
proves the premises of the argument! Therefore, anyone who struggles with
sexual sin, be it masturbation addiction, porn addiction, or what have you,
will be given the power to break these chains and be free, provided that
freedom is truly what they desire [2]i.e don’t be like Augustine and pray “Lord,
make me chaste, but not yet.”. If God hasn’t yet freed you from your pornography/masturbation
addiction, the best (and only) explanation is that He plans to do it at some
time in the future. The answer cannot be “yes” if you’re still enslaved, but it
cannot be “no” either. The best (and only) possible explanation is that His answer
is “not yet”.
Therefore, you would do well
to remember the parable of thew persistant widow and the unjust judge (see Luke
18:1-8) and continue praying day after day until God finally answers your
prayer and frees you from the chains of sexual addiction.
to remember the parable of thew persistant widow and the unjust judge (see Luke
18:1-8) and continue praying day after day until God finally answers your
prayer and frees you from the chains of sexual addiction.
Keeping this argument in mind
will help you be confident and certain that you will not carry this problem
with you to your grave. It’s important that you believe God will do this
because The Bible says “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,
because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the
wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a
person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” – James 1:6-8
will help you be confident and certain that you will not carry this problem
with you to your grave. It’s important that you believe God will do this
because The Bible says “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,
because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the
wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a
person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” – James 1:6-8
This argument – the premises
of which are backed up by scripture – should provide you a gigantic boost of
faith. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us that if we pray for something knowing that it is
God’s will, we will receive it. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 tells us that it’s God’s
will that we avoid sexual immorality, that we be able to control ourselves, and
not live in lust like unbelievers do. So since both of these are true, it
follows that if you pray to God, asking Him to help you get freed from your
porn/masturbation addiction, you WILL be freed from it.
There’s no possible way you won’t be freed from it! Any argument that is logically
valid and has true premises has a necessarily true conclusion! It is absolutely
impossible for the conclusion to be false provided those conditions are in
place! The only way the conclusion in an argument can be avoided is if either 1
or more of the premises are false or if the logic is invalid. Neither of these
are the case. The argument is logically valid because it takes the form modus
ponens. The premises are true because they are said to be true by God’s holy,
inspired, inerrant word. The logic is valid and the premises are true, so only
an irrational person could deny the conclusion.
of which are backed up by scripture – should provide you a gigantic boost of
faith. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us that if we pray for something knowing that it is
God’s will, we will receive it. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 tells us that it’s God’s
will that we avoid sexual immorality, that we be able to control ourselves, and
not live in lust like unbelievers do. So since both of these are true, it
follows that if you pray to God, asking Him to help you get freed from your
porn/masturbation addiction, you WILL be freed from it.
There’s no possible way you won’t be freed from it! Any argument that is logically
valid and has true premises has a necessarily true conclusion! It is absolutely
impossible for the conclusion to be false provided those conditions are in
place! The only way the conclusion in an argument can be avoided is if either 1
or more of the premises are false or if the logic is invalid. Neither of these
are the case. The argument is logically valid because it takes the form modus
ponens. The premises are true because they are said to be true by God’s holy,
inspired, inerrant word. The logic is valid and the premises are true, so only
an irrational person could deny the conclusion.
Now, again, perhaps you’ve
been praying and perhaps you’re still caving into to your withdrawals. Remember
that God doesn’t always answer our prayers right away. Sometimes the answer
isn’t “yes” or “no” but “wait”. Considering the soundness of the argument, it’s
clear that only the third answer is the one that is true. God isn’t saying no
to you, but to wait. He WILL do it some day!
been praying and perhaps you’re still caving into to your withdrawals. Remember
that God doesn’t always answer our prayers right away. Sometimes the answer
isn’t “yes” or “no” but “wait”. Considering the soundness of the argument, it’s
clear that only the third answer is the one that is true. God isn’t saying no
to you, but to wait. He WILL do it some day!
If you’ve been severely
doubting whether God will help you, there’s your problem right there. James
1:6-8 is clear that if ask and doubt, you won’t receive anything from The Lord.
But hopefully this Bible based argument will remove the doubt factor and allow
the blessing of freedom to flow into your life.
doubting whether God will help you, there’s your problem right there. James
1:6-8 is clear that if ask and doubt, you won’t receive anything from The Lord.
But hopefully this Bible based argument will remove the doubt factor and allow
the blessing of freedom to flow into your life.
By the way, this
applies not only to porn and masturbation addiction, but to any sin you can’t
stop committing. This applies to alcoholism for scripture states that getting
drunk is a sin (see Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 13:13), it
applies to drug addiction, it applies to any sin. God’s will is for everyone to
do what is right. If we pray to be strengthened to do what is right, God will help
us. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
applies not only to porn and masturbation addiction, but to any sin you can’t
stop committing. This applies to alcoholism for scripture states that getting
drunk is a sin (see Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 13:13), it
applies to drug addiction, it applies to any sin. God’s will is for everyone to
do what is right. If we pray to be strengthened to do what is right, God will help
us. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
—————————————————————————
Other relevant
scriptures
scriptures
“Ask and it
will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened
to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one
who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread,
will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you,
then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask
him!” — Matthew
7:7-11
will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened
to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one
who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread,
will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you,
then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask
him!” — Matthew
7:7-11
“if we
are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” – 2 Timothy 2:13
are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” – 2 Timothy 2:13
“For the
word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrew 4:12
word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrew 4:12
“Jesus
replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a
slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free
indeed.’” – John 8:34-35
replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a
slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free
indeed.’” – John 8:34-35
References
| ↑1 | see “5 Reasons To Believe The Bible Is Divinely Inspired” |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | i.e don’t be like Augustine and pray “Lord, make me chaste, but not yet.” |
I’ve a question. I know a guy friend whose doctor said that he needs to masturbate. I’ve also read from a few books that masturbation is necessary for the body and a natural part of adolescence and adulthood. People sometimes get aroused without meaning to, and the only way to relieve this is by masturbation. This is especially true for teenagers who are very hormonal. So it seems to me that masturbation is a necessary activity, like scratching your arm because it was itchy. And it seems to be part of the process of growing up.
The same is said about sex. Many experts actually suggest that a person should sleep around and that this is an important part in knowing if the other person is compatible with you.
Yet I always hear from priests and pastors that masturbation is sin. I’ve always wondered why God made us bodies that have sexual desires (I mean this like when a person gets aroused when he/she sees someone they find attractive) when he doesn’t want us committing such sins?
I’m really confused. Doctors would say to relieve yourself since suppressing your desires will only be harmful, like how bottling up anxiety and leaving them unresolved will only come back to bite you harder than before. But the Bible says relieving yourself (as in masturbating) is sinful. The only way out of this dilemma I think is that masturbation is fine if done moderately. Some people are actually addicted to it and I think overdoing it is when it becomes wrong. But am I right? What are your thoughts on this issue?
I just don’t understand. Why create us this way if doing these things is wrong?
I’m not really qualified to discuss this on a medical level. I’m not a medical expert. But I think God definitely does want us to express our sexual desires, but not to do so indiscriminately. Sex has to be between a man and a woman in the confines of a marriage relationship. This is what the Bible teaches.
I don’t think mere arousal is a sin. Sexual arousal and lust should not be thought of us synonyms. Inadvertent sexual arousal is inevitable and it’s not something that you have a forewarning. It’s happened to me before when I come across some scantily clad woman on my Facebook feed. But I keep scrolling and I don’t look back. I may also unfollow the page or person who posted itso I don’t have incidents like that in the future.
Given that the Bible never condemns it and Matthew 5:28 is only talking about lusting in an adulterous way, it’s probably fine.
Think about what it would mean if Matthew 5:28 was talking about an unmarried person lusting after someone else who is unmarried. That would mean that a fantasy in your heart that isn’t even vaguely about adultery is somehow committing adultery in your heart.
It would entail that in practice there is no distinction between fornication and adultery. Since it is hard to do fornication without lust, it would follow that all fornication is in fact adultery.
Finally it would mean that if you desired to marry a potential spouse (who is unmarried) and have sex with him/her in that marriage that you would somehow be committing adultery with them!!
The Greek word for adultery (moicheuó) means actual adultery, not fornication: “I commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man).” (Source: Strong’s Concordance Dictionary). Thus the Bible doesn’t prohibit it in the first place, so nothing to worry about.