Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Self Gratification - Is It Wrong?

The question of "self gratification" is something that falls under that self-validating phrase, "If I'm not hurting anyone else it is O.K. for me"  That is not the case at all. Not only does it affect you now, but it can be a downfall to future relationships.  Either in marriage, work, ministry, etc.  Several youth have asked questions in reference to "self gratification" and there have been a few times when I shared the following letter with some adults.  Most have testified that this letter helped them gain an understanding, and a few (adults) have said it helped their relationships. 
IS IT WRONG!
 Dear Friend,
 First, I will ask, “Please read the entire letter.”  Secondly, understand that the definition of the word we are talking about is based on “SELF-GRATIFICATION” and “SINFUL LUST”.  Both take place in the mind long before the action is done!  Don’t allow your mind and thoughts to go where your body is not allowed to follow!  When this act is done outside of marriage, it is called fornication. When this act is done in a marriage, it is called adultery. 
     “Shun fornication, every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself” (1 Cor 6:18).  “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to GOD, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13).  Romans 6:13 speaks of those who have been brought from death to life … those who have been born again (Christians) and accept GOD’s WORD as being true! “It is GOD’s will that you should be sanctified (set apart):  That each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.  Not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know GOD.” (1 Thes 4:3-8).  Do not let the lustful thought take control of your mind, because it will cause you to sin in your heart.  JESUS said, “But I say to you, that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in their heart” (Mat 5:28).  This can be the male or female in a magazine, on TV, on the internet, or sitting in the same room with you.  If you look in lust, then you sin in your heart!
     “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim 2:22).  “So I say, live by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Gal 5:16).  “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery” (Gal 5:19).  The definition of immorality is: “the quality of not being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.” 
So, sexual immorality includes self-gratification and lustful sin, because these are not in accord with GOD’s WORD.  Think about it! You are committing a premeditated sin, because you have to think about doing the act before you actually do it! If you want to stop, then you must “Submit yourselves, then, to GOD.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).  Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you when you feel the sinful desire coming back.  “In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26).  Meditate and think on the good and righteous things.  Purpose in your heart that you will do what GOD requires in reference to sexual purity.
     Just because the actual words “sexual self-gratification” is not mentioned in the Bible, does not mean it’s o.k. to do!  The words “drinking and driving” are not in the Bible, but we know it’s wrong.  We also know that it takes self-control to keep from doing both! 
     Dear GOD, may these words help and encourage to make a change.  Amen!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG! self grat and sinful lust. It is kinda hard hitting when you say it is premeditated because you have to give it thought first. that is so true. it has to be thought about and visioned in the mind. the mind has to go there even when the body is not suppose to. i got it, but it is going to be hard to live it, as I am sure it is for a lot of people. i will be sending a few of my friends this letter.

How Do I Stop said...

Wow! This is very helpful! I have never ever heard a sermon or leasson on this subject. Most youth groups just kind of skip over this. It seems easier to talk about drugs, rather than sex. Alot of us use "self gratification" to keep from actually having sex, but I guess sex is sex, no matter how you try and phrase it! It is awesome how you gave a lesson without even using the word! I will send this link to my friends! It is hard to stay pure as a college student, but I am fully convinced that GOD can keep me true. I will also post a link to the other site too.

Thk U