tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post114089115648369241..comments2024-01-31T09:33:05.146-08:00Comments on Two World Collision: The 'M' WordErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03948061964482528393noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1141614507407301542006-03-05T19:08:00.000-08:002006-03-05T19:08:00.000-08:00*grin*yeah, fun post eh? Thanks everyone for your...*grin*<BR/><BR/>yeah, fun post eh? Thanks everyone for your comments, thoughts, and input.<BR/><BR/>Here's the thing. The point i'm making in this post isn't about whether or not masturbation is okay. The point is in assessing the condition of my heart when I am masturbating. <BR/><BR/>I'm simply being honest with myself about the fact that 99.9% of the time that I masturbate, I am doing it in lust.<BR/><BR/>It's not about the 'M' word, but rather the 'L' word. From a Christian biblical point of view, it's clear that lust is a sin. <BR/><BR/>I'm not hung up on the fact that I continually do it. I'm not filled with unending shame and guilt. I live in grace. But just because I have the privilege of living in grace, because of Christ, it doesn't mean that I ought to minimize sin. <BR/><BR/>Yes, I masturbate. Alot actually. I'm simply acknowledging that the lust behind the act is still a sin that Christ died for. It's not something I should be quick to entertain.<BR/><BR/>That's me.<BR/><BR/>Blessings friends,<BR/>EricErichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948061964482528393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1141514121305666832006-03-04T15:15:00.000-08:002006-03-04T15:15:00.000-08:00Add me to the list of those impressed by your will...Add me to the list of those impressed by your willingness to address this issue.<BR/><BR/>When hearing confessions (something I no longer do) or in spiritual direction (something I still do), I usually ask the person struggling with masturbation what else they are doing to make themselves feel good. I don't think God worries about it that much, but it is an easy fallback when we could be doing so many other self-affirming and creative things. I advise people to attack it indirectly by working up a list of things to do regularly that nurture them and give positive pleasure. Then maybe the other temptations will not occur so frequently or not be so difficult to move beyond.<BR/><BR/>I am not saying just think of things to do "instead of" when temptation comes. We all know that when the hormones rage, we are not doing our clearest thinking right then. Have positive fun all the time more as a way of preventing the problem from arising. Enjoy your-self.Michael Doddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00942287172727040371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1141364671797754992006-03-02T21:44:00.000-08:002006-03-02T21:44:00.000-08:00Gret post! However, I don't think Masturbation is ...Gret post! However, I don't think Masturbation is wrong at all. It's safe, gives no STD's and it relieves stress! <BR/><BR/>I think of it more as appreciating my body and keeps me from temptations of just going off and...er fornicating with everybody.<BR/><BR/>I just can't seem to believe God would be against something that doesn't cause any harm to yourself or others.Othersidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11778694576687367827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1141117399528727632006-02-28T01:03:00.000-08:002006-02-28T01:03:00.000-08:00I'm not quite a biblical scholar,but have noticed ...I'm not quite a biblical scholar,<BR/>but have noticed many conflicts with scripture or possibly man's translation / interpretation.<BR/><BR/>Masterbation per a recent biblical conversation " Onanism " <BR/>(forbidden spilling of one's seed)<BR/>Hardly a guy alive who has not been there and done that countless times. <BR/><BR/>Are we All dammed ? <BR/><BR/>Do believe God created us in his grand image and a valid root to one's self sexual happiness is part of that. Appreciate your attempt to be Christ like. <BR/>Don't think GUILT and Self Induced Suffering is part of a good plan in that direction. I would hope GOD Loves us enough to show the Current Path which I suspect is not necessarily an Anachronistic one from millenium past. <BR/><BR/>Bless You !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1141088369196888072006-02-27T16:59:00.000-08:002006-02-27T16:59:00.000-08:00Eric. been there done that and am still doing it. ...Eric. been there done that and am still doing it. Going through all the emotions and guilt, yet thinking ,well God knows my heart and forgives me if I'm sinning which most times I would say I am.Its a dilemma we will continue to experience as long as we live in this earthly body.I have argued cried and sought release from the act of masturbation to God but to no avail so I guess its ok ..........to a point.<BR/>Its just like I have asked God that if being "gay" is a sin then why does not GOD heal me and make me "straight" as He first intended in His creation.There is no definite answer , so we need to just keep on living and trusting in God as He is the final judge .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1140974460583807732006-02-26T09:21:00.000-08:002006-02-26T09:21:00.000-08:00The topic you raise is one with which I have wrest...The topic you raise is one with which I have wrestled for a very long time without really resolving it. For some time I thought that the desires would cool with maturity, both physical and spiritual maturity. The nature of the desires and the pattern of masturbation have changed as I have aged but the thought that in time I would put to bed once and for all the lust that fuels masturbation has been shown to be only wishful thinking. The problem persists. It is a reality of my life which I can't dismiss as being O.K. with a righteous God and quite yet easily and often find myself doing. What a wretchedly weak individual I am! All I can do is cry out for mercy; for God to treat me not as I deserve but to treat as I don't deserve, with compassion and grace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1140970790393778252006-02-26T08:19:00.000-08:002006-02-26T08:19:00.000-08:00Eric,Healthy Christian spiritual directors recogni...Eric,<BR/><BR/>Healthy Christian spiritual directors recognize that often much is going on when one masturbates. At heart is a desire for relationship, in my opinion. Don't be too hard on yourself. Getting obsessed about it can be a far greater idolatry, not to mention mental and emotional unhealth, than letting it be and focusing on asking God that you desire a significant other. Obsession often fuels rather than reduces burning; that's something a lot of Evangelicals don't seem to get.Closedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04752595488795781895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1140933851074101702006-02-25T22:04:00.000-08:002006-02-25T22:04:00.000-08:00Think you're right to "guard your heart with all d...Think you're right to "guard your heart with all diligence." Asking the tough questions you are asking and being transparent with yourself (as well as us--thanks--BRAVO...or I should say BRAVE-O!) is the path to discernment. <BR/><BR/>Your motives seem true...you want to love and follow Christ. Seems like your heart is in the right place...so like you said, it's less about the actual act, and more about the heart.<BR/><BR/>Here's another thought to throw in the mix. This is an empowering verse that has freed me from a lot of self-guilt. "If our heart condemns us...God is greater than our heart."<BR/><BR/>Just something for you to look into as you continue your quest toward holiness.<BR/><BR/>Great post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14457001.post-1140895938591435722006-02-25T11:32:00.000-08:002006-02-25T11:32:00.000-08:00Hey, Eric!Great post! I do think you're being too ...Hey, Eric!<BR/><BR/>Great post! I do think you're being too hard on yourself and I personally don't think masturbation is wrong (even including fantasy). But I understand how you're feeling about it.Jeanine Byershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02069858896845316974noreply@blogger.com