Here's a little back story so you all can help me with my problems.
I attended an extremely Christian School during the first few years in my life (Kindergarten to 5th grade), worshiped Jesus and took him as my savior in 4th grade. After 5th grade, I changed to a different school (which was Christian but not as religious as my previous school), in which I took part in things that I look back on and laugh. I began to use profanity, masturbate, but never really committed what I felt was a "bad sin:" I neglected Jesus and God for quite a bit, and a few weeks ago, I decided to give him another chance. I TRY to pray to God every night, but i always doubt myself (Is my prayer long enough? Am I saying the right things? etc.f). I realized that my old habits (swearing, masturbating,etc.) were obsolete and were against the new faith I had been reborn into. So I began "taming:" my old habits, making my profanity less vulgar and masturbating less. I was very scared and confused because I didn't know if God looked down on me and frowned or if he was happy that I was changing in order to please him.
I have read many articles about how the bibles says "Do not lust" and therefore "do not masturbate," but it is a way of stress relief that I am used to. Do you think God is happy that I am trying my best to solve my problems or is God unhappy with what I am doing?
The term "masturbation" is a modern day term , but it is a term that can be identified with the Biblical term "uncleanness". One can read about what those two terms are in the Bible.
Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.......9 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
How does one wind up worshiping the creature more than the Creator? Society has its influence in raising a certain standard of what is publicly acceptable, publicly appealing, and thereby assigning people's mentality towards the pride of life.
2 Corinthians 10:7
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
We have that standard introduced to us as children with Barbie dolls and ripped abs muscle bound action figures along with comic books and leading into adulthood with the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated as if the women are being a good sport about this ( if you pardon the pun ). We live in a society that promotes outward appearance in regards to the pride of life and sex appeal in the media, catalogues, advertisements, and whatever sells, sex appeal can be used to sell items.
Is it any wonder why images or raised by society into lusting after someone can promote even orgasm?
Jude 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Are we not wrestling against the forces of darkness? Do we allow the media to feed the dog and the wolf within us or are we leaning on Christ to cast down wicked imaginations and set our minds on good things and the things above?
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (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; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
So where is our eye at? Do we trust Christ to help us be a light to the world or do we run as the world runs that know not God?
Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. 34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
1 Peter 4:1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Where our hearts is with the help of Christ is key because running that race is by looking to the author & finisher of our faith to help us lay aside every weight & sin to live this reconciled relationship with God thru Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
How important is this issue? How important is this to run that race by faith in Him? The consequence for not looking to Him for help in running that race runs the risk of not only losing the rewards of crowns, but becoming a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 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. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Although no saved believer can lose their salvation, they can lose out on being part of the first fruit of the resurrection in having that inheritance in the kingdom of God when the Bridegroom appears to receive those abiding in Him to the Marriage Supper held in Heaven above, and leavng behind those found in "unrepentant" iniquity to resurrect later on after the great tribulation. The prodigal son may have given up his inheritance for wild living, but he is still son, albeit, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth over the loss of that first inheritance like Esau did in giving up his birth right for a meal. God will have to wipe the tears from the eyes of those left behind to get past that loss, so it is best to call on Jesus for help today in laying aside every weight & sin so we can be received by the Bridegroom as a vessel unto honor in His House.
Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 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.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ....8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
