It’s such a taboo word for men and women alike. The word masturbation is generally avoided because of it’s secrecy and nature. When spoken out in public, it brings a hint of shame in you because it is such a private matter. And isn’t it such for all of us?
It is undeniable that we have appetites
This entry is inspired by my own struggles, experiences, and journey through manhood. By God’s grace and wisdom am I only able to share this with you. Also, check out the 6 Actionable steps to Overcome Pornography post.
Insatiable appetite
Our bodies are made to have certain appetites and cravings – which are all healthy for survival. We crave for food when we’re hungry. It’s a healthy appetite because we need food in order to have energy and in order to live. We crave for fun when we’re bored. It’s a healthy appetite because we need to regulate that energy we have to exercise our bodies and minds. We crave for sex and physical intimacy because we are designed by God for it in order to reproduce and enjoy it’s intimate pleasures.
These cravings and appetites are good and it is meant for our well-being. But it has been twisted and maliced for our destruction by the Devil. Our appetites have been turned on us by this consumer-driven world in which the mindset is “here”, “now”, “fast”, and “don’t deny me” – “me”, “me”, “me”.
You have to understand that the moment you let your appetite have it’s way in you, it becomes your god. And my oh my, how powerful that little god called appetite truly is.
It all starts in the mind
Appetite is triggered within the thought. Likewise self-control is also triggered within the thought. Only one of them can win.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
“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
Self-control starts with a choice. A choice to say no malice-driven appetite (which the Bible describes as the evil desires of youth) and to say yes to God’s promises and lifestyle.
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” – 2 Timothy 2:22
Your body is satisfied – just for a while
Yep, you got that right. Your body becomes satisfied after the act. It is fulfilled temporarily. But why the empty feeling? Because pleasure for pleasure’s sake is meaningless. And in the act of masturbation, your spirit is fully ashamed and broken.
There is a distortion that happens in you when your body and spirit disagree. You feel it – it manifests itself in emotions and then it tries to pierce your thoughts into pondering the question ‘why’.
There is a bond between your body and spirit that you cannot explain. It is this same connection that gives you the idea that there must be life after death and it is also this same connection that gives you the idea that there must be a Creator behind all the questions of life and the majesty and impossibility of the universe.
This bond is real.
Why is the shame after the act of masturbation so real? So ‘feel-able’ ?
It is because this is a sin that is directly related to your own body. Therefore it is directly related to your own spirit. Directly related to your own soul and emotions.
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” – 1 Corinthians 6:18
The only question you have to honestly ask yourself is, do you feel it?
Then there must be some truth in what I’m saying.
Think about it.