"Masturbation

"Masturbation, which means having  a sexual feeling and orgasm by means of self effort, can be just as habit forming as any drug or alcohol bever­age. In a world that has experienced an ex­ponential proliferation of easily accessible pornography, a discussion and lesson on masturbation which many would not like to talk about, becomes very salient.

Although, it is a childish way of reacting to problems, many do it to relieve tension and anxiety. Unfortunately, rather than do that, it creates more. The more you mastur­bate, the more you desire to do so, except a supernatural force is deliberately invited to take over your mind and spirit.

For some married people, it has been adopted as a substitution for an uncoopera­tive life partner, sexual starvation and de­nial in marriage. Some married people do it after an unsatisfactory sexual experience with a spouse that just does not know how to do the right thing to do, or knows what to do but refuses to do it for flimsy and un­godly reasons. Long period of abstinence from sex for married people is dangerous. Living separately for whatever reasons is also a big challenge. Even in situations of illness of your partner, pregnancy, trip or breastfeeding, you still require self control by the grace of God.

Masturbation's dangers are numerous. This pleasurable experience can condition human behaviour. When you are addicted to pornography and masturbation, after some time, peaking during some "normal" sex becomes difficult. Your brain simply gets so used to it that it can only receive satisfaction just during solo acts. This can make sexual gratification in reality much more difficult and cause marital problems. Masturbation is selfish. It implies that you are not emotionally connected with someone else in relationship. You prefer self satisfaction. Your marriage life will defi­nitely have sexual problems with this habit. Masturbation leads to waste of precious time that could have been used for ben­eficial meditation, good thinking, produc­tivity and smart work. Guys! Girls! Keep yourself busy, trying to solve existing soci­etal challenges to improve the world.

One major challenge of masturbation is that it can lead to injury of sexual organ in the process. Besides, it leads to adulterated mindset. This is where sin comes in. Sexual urge is a thing of the mind. The urge comes before masturbation. Allowing that ungod­ly urge to mature towards the act is the sin (Matthew 5:28). So, the act is a product of an unclean, polluted mind, which is not God's friend (Mathew 5:8). So, while you are doing it, you are actually at the middle of sin. God wants your body, holy (Romans 12:l-2,lst Corinthians 9:27).

Idleness also drives the urge. So, avoid long period idleness. Even if you are job­less (as many youths are today), you can engage yourself in Bible-inspired activi­ties. Also, build up positive activities that keep your mind involved in challenging undertakings, giving it less opportunity to gravitate towards immoral thoughts.

You could also use a replacement therapy. It is natural to have sexual urge once you attain the age of accountability.

However, sex is an issue of the heart. This is why the Bible says: "Keep thy heart with all diligence;..." (Proverbs 4:23). Unfortu­nately, many teenagers, youths and married people today feed their hearts with trash. By the time you spend several hours on pornography via the internet, read porno­graphic books and magazines and watch such films, the only thoughts that will oc­cupy your heart are thoughts of having sex with someone. Then, you defile your body through masturbation. From there, you start doing foolish things like lusting after every opposite sex that comes around you. You idle away, indulge in useless dis­cussions unconsciously. Then, you gradu­ate into imagining rape. At that point, you wouldn't mind having sex with even a mad woman or guy. Whenever someone says something reasonable, you try to link the discussion to sex, imagining sexual intercourse all the time. By the time you get to this level, you are on your way to destruction.

Are you in this condition? You are under bondage but your deliverance is possible. Solution is that you develop love for the word of God, things of God and the people of God. Pleasing God always becomes your desire. You would imagine godly things, develop godly desires, drop ungodly friends and associate with godly people. Then, the peace of God flows into your heart. By the time you attain this level in Christianity, you will hate sin with a passion. (6:11). This is obtainable by faith through "the grace of God that brings salvation (which) has ap­peared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age" (Titus 2:11-12).

When the urge comes again after you have been heavily loaded with the word and the spirit of God, it is not only your spirit that will be willing to resist it. Your flesh would actually begin the resistance before you know it. Just as computer rejects unwanted input, your heart will reject un­wanted thoughts.

Many of us who are Christians, were once guilty, but were delivered by the power of resurrection in Christ Jesus. So, to be free from masturbation, you need to ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and personal saviour. You need PRAYERS with FAITH. Faith without work is dead. So, you need to WORK. Work out your deliverance. You need the GRACE of God. More im­portantly, you need the FEAR OF GODrf. Each time the urge comes, ask yourself: "What would Jesus do? As I do this right now, is God on break or simply looking at me angrily? I have his nature. I cannot be­have like Judas at this point. Satan, Jesus has conquered you many years ago. Get behind me in Jesus name!!!!!                             by Albinus Chiedu