Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 3/27/2009

Question
hello pastor i jus want t know how to overcome masterbation i pray for god to rebuke it from me but sometimes i still have the urge to do it please help i even stop lookin at`too much tv and music but i still fail please help.

Answer
Hi Damion,

Thank you for this great question. Do not confuse temptation with sin.  We all face different types of urges or temptations to sin, it is yielding to that sin that gets us in trouble.

Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

James 1:14-15
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

God always provides a way of escape when you have temptation... that does not mean you will not feel temptation, it means you need to take the way of escape that He provides.

1 Corinthians 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.


I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don