Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/26/2010

Question
i am religious brother .when i in my childhood i was sexually exploited by a neighgour.now my problem is that of a continuous urge to masterbate.i know its a sin and i pray immensely to God to give me strength to overcome but i fail.i want to live a holy life but this disturbs my life as a brother and a man,please help me

Answer
Hi sijo cj

Thank you for this great question. I am sorry for your struggle, but it is one that most men face.  You need to realize that every day without falling is a victory and every time you fall, you can get back up.

Proverbs 24:16
16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

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

There are a few things you can do to help you fight this fleshly desire.

1.  Immerse yourself in scriptures.  Read it, memorize it, and meditate upon it.

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.  Realize that you can use prayer, scripture reading, and fellowship to control your thinking.  Work at it and capture your thoughts.

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.

3.  Get very involved in your church.  The fellowship of other believers will help give you strength to resist temptation.

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.

4.  Do not do things that allow you to be tempted.  If you find yourself tempted by using the Internet, get a filter.. if it is cable TV, then do not subscribe to movie channels.

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.

5.  When you find yourself tempted... run!  Get out of your room... get with people....call a friend to pray with him... God gives avenues of escape if you look for them.

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.