Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/23/2008

Question
Dear sir,
i have recently started masterbating and watching porn. I know its wrong but i feel as if i cant stop. I masterbate and then i feel dirty and then i pray for forgiveness. I don't want to and i try to stop but  i can't i stop for about 3-4 days. Today i did it again. i want to stop forever an di will try. I also watch porn is that bad? i think it is. im going to try to stop. i do not want to go to hell and i no this is bad.
can you help

Answer
Hi Bob,

Thank you for this very personal question.  I am very sorry for my late response.  Jesus tells us that not only is sex outside the boundry of marriage a sin, but so is lustful thinking.

Matthew 5:27-28
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

God will forgive everytime that we come to Him.

1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

You can stop this, but it will be a battle.  

1.  First if you have not asked Jesus to save you from your sin, you must believe that He died in your place on the cross and ask Him to save you from your sin.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 10:9-10,13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  Once you have done that, you need to make it harder to fall into that sin.

Romans 13:14
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

If you struggle with Porn on the internet, get a filter.  A great filter is found at www.cleaninter.net.  You will not be able to bypass the filter on your own.  It is a great way to keep us guys honest.

3.  Get around other believers, pray and read your Bible.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Psalm 119:9-11
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

This is a start, but I hope that this helps point you in the right direction.  Again, I am very sorry for my lagte response.

In Christ
Pastor Don