By Dianna
Will God still forgive you if you commit the same sin over and over again?
From a young age, I don't really know why, but I've kept getting interested in watching kissing scenes and stuff. I have this weird feeling -- pleasurable, I guess? -- and I started masturbating without even knowing I was doing it until years and years later. I don't even know where I got it from!
And I keep feeling really guilty and remorseful every time I masturbate or watch some kissing scene. But everytime I do that, I know that it is a sin, but I keep having this urge to watch it and stuff. But after I do it, I suddenly "come back to my senses" and I feel really stupid for doing it.
I feel like I'm not trying hard enough, and I just keep hoping God will forgive me. But I don't think so cause I keep repeating my mistake even though I am aware of it?
Does God forgive repeat offenders? What are some steps we can take when facing habitual sin to break the cycle?
Recommend
Comments (75)
Really? There's nothing wrong with masturbation. Why is it "wrong" to pleasure yourself again?? I mean seriously...if you're going by that & feeling like "God would find it sinful" do you also believe that women & children are slaves? That man can have multiple wives & that women are sinful creatures by Gods Law? Because I am pretty sure if you followed through on those & practiced it - you'd be in some legal troubles at least. Since we've pretty much abolished those laws & women & children are NOT slaves - I think we can let the masturbation slide too. After all, we are no longer "honoring" Gods word anyways! Or do you all feel bad that we no longer use women & children as slaves & push women below man? I think this is silly - we havefreewill. Use it.
@ColdSkivvies@xanga - That is not true...some people especially those who are on heavy duty medications like me...can not because it is biologically impossible. We are the minority I know but that is the reality of my life.
Don't knock masturbation...its not a sin and it will not kill you!
Keep touching' yourself, girl! Better than sleeping around. Imagine how you'd feel after you did THAT, compared to self-satisfaction.
EVERYONE does it, I also agree this seems like a troll post. I'm a Christian and I will admit I do it with my husband because I cannot have sex. There is nothing in the Bible that says it's wrong, I mean its natural. Stop acting so naive like oh no I masturbated I'm going to hell, this post belongs more on datingish than here.
There is nothing wrong with masturbation and any religion that says otherwise is not for me.
You feel guilty because every one around you tells you that masterbation is a sin.
Forget what everyone else includeing me tells you.
Open up the bible and see if you can find even one sentence that says masterbation
is a sin.
Pray that GOD lead you while you read.
If you find it then it is a sin.
If you do not find it then it is not a sin.
Bottom line no matter what it is; Masterbation, Drinking a cola, or eating a tomato; there is
someone out there who will tell you it is a sin, and if they tell you this over a long enough
period of time you will believe them then you will feel guilty if you do it.
Read the bible or pray and let GOD tell you what GOD says.
When you rely on mere humans to tell you the thoughts and feelings of GOD; you will
end up every time dazed and confused and farther from GOD than you started out in the
first place.
Yes I have masterbated my whole life and like you I felt guilty when I first started this. then I
quit listening to the foolish and cracked open that book myself. you know what, I found nothing describeing what they said.
I prayed and asked GOD himself for direction.
Now I don't feel guilty because I would much rather masterbate when oppertunity does not allow satisfaction from my wife than to go out and cheat on her which would be a sin.
Relax, Trust GOD, and read yourself instead of listening to others.
@ColdSkivvies@xanga - Was that directed towards me? No, I'm not frustrated. And I'm glad I'm not you. You're living in denial of your sin...
@southern_belle86@xanga - He's/She's obviously having a conviction about it. Even if it's not necessarily a sin for everyone, masturbation can cause other sinful actions.
@Soul_Pizza@xanga - @Soul_Pizza@xanga - Hey brother, everything I'm about to say comes from a place of love and hopefully encourgement....I just signed up to xanga after reading your comment...I hope this reply only shows on your screen, as I'm not trying to "call you out" or anything...just wanted to throw my 2 cents on some of the things you were saying and hope that maybe you'll take a little time and think on them. I realize you may not have a care in the world as to what'd I'd say or think, and that's fine, but I'm still going to share.
For me, as a Christian, a true follower of Christ, I don't believe a person can be a "former Christian"....once save always saved.....the challenge is did you ever really come into a relationship with Jesus. I believe, once you do, you can never be the same and more importantly, you don't want to. I hope and I'll pray that you will one day find Jesus, our savior, and let Him prove Himself worthy as He is.
To tell a believer, "take whatever the Bible says about sex with
a grain of salt for that reason. It wasn't really written for you, in
your time. It was written for an archaic time period that doesn't
easily apply to you" will not make any sense because, if they have spent anytime in The Word of God they know just how applicable and amazingly powerful it is. They'll probably have countless examples of how God's word has given them the exact guidance, answers, encouragement, and comfort they've need in past struggles. We stand firm in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
As noted earlier, the bible never condems masturbation...for it's not the act of masturbation that's sinful, it's the lust that usually accompanies it for another woman/man who's not your spouse that's sinful. It's very difficult, especially in today's culture, to masturbate with a pure heart and motives. "Making you feel guilty about your completely
natural urges, well... it's just absurd. Masturbation and sex are
beautiful things in their own right. Learn to see them and experience
them in that way." Sex is beautiful made to be with your lover, not lovers or fantasies, but one lover. That's when it's beautiful. The guilt comes from the sin that takes place, not from God. God does not guilt us or condemn us, the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts and minds when we doing something sinful to prevent us, correct us, and hopefully guide us back towards righteousness. Just because something's pleasurable doesn't mean it's okay. I think everyone would agree with that. Yes, we're naturally created with "The urge for sexual release" but as with many things in life, there's a right way and a wrong way.
Like I said brother, you may not even read this whole thing or you might feel as though I'm lecturing you....I promise I'm not, this is just a teachable moment and I hope you can humble yourself and maybe just ponder on what I've written. I hope this finds you well, and I can promise you, as a 27 yr old Dad who's been down my road of rebellion and worldly ambitions, God's amazing love and grace is the only thing that truly fulfills. I hope you'll seriously seek Him, for He says in His Word, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:9.......see if that's not true. Seek Him. Plead with Him. And HE WILL come into your life with His amazing love. Bless you brother
@TiredSoVeryTired@xanga - having an itch does compare as it's not a matter of the heart.....masturbation, although in itself isn't sinful, the lust that usually accompanies it is. That's why God's concerned...it shows where your heart's at. Blessings.....
It's great you asked the questions and someone posted a reply saying if Jesus responded to you wot would people say then. Well I believe He did through JasmineW. Her quotes were the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit. I shall be adding them to my weapons of warfare for the bringing down of stongholds.
Keep using the Sword and Jasmine, I'd appreciate your prayers please. God Bless us in abundance as we fight the Good fight of faith in Jesus' mighty name. He who has startedthe good work in us will continue and complete it. It is working an eternal weight of glory.
Love in Christ
Bernie
Oh yes, and there was a very good radio broadcast on Christian radio station (89.3 FM Moody Radio) which I believe should be helpful to you, it talked about sexual fantasies and how they can be linked to past trauma or memories :
Radio Program "Midday Connection"- Nov. 12 broadcast
Erotica has invaded more than our minds, it has exploded onto our bestseller lists. On this Midday Connection
Shannon Ethridge joins us to talk about how many are looking to sexual
and emotional fantasies as avenues for fulfillment, but fantasies are
not a reliable guide into our future, just a rocky road map from our
past.
http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_ProgramArchive.aspx?id=78882
@musterion99@xanga - the best way to fix the result of a problem is to cut it off at the root. Sin isnt the fight, temptation is. We must fight what leads us to sin to not sin. Utimately, this is only by the fruits of God, by the word of god and spirit of god being active in our lives. And the best help isnt in the internet it is finding a good church and being actively involved in the church, not being afraid to talk to the men and women of god over your about problems, and helping your brothers and sisters in christ- and strangers as much as you can.
im 13 and im a "Christian", but when my parents leave me with my aunt i
always get tempted with pornography. i use my aunts laptop to watch it
and every time i get tempted i masturbate. i have been doing it for
about 4 years now. i told my mom about it and she talked to me but it
did not help. i have kept asking GOD a to help me stop but i just cant
get the strength to not go that way. im worried that im not worthy for
GOD to love me or anything anymore. i feel worthless in the image of the
LORD. i feel my future is ruined because of this. i am afraid to tell
anyone a church even my pastor, because i was baptized in september and i
feel it was just a bath that did nothing to change my ways. i wonder if
GOD will still let me into his kingdom and if he has hope in me
changing. i feel GOD will not forgive me anymore, and i feel i have used
Him... how do i stop, do i still have a chance, does GOD still love me?
Wow. It's scary to read some of the responses to this girl's question in the comments. I've never been on this site, but like the Master says, 'If the blind lead the blind, both will end up in the ditch.'
Ultimately, Diana, nothing will settle this in your mind and heart like learning what the Bible says. You are convicted about this for good reason, as I was also convicted constantly until the Lord delivered me from this sin. Paul refers to deceitful desires, and here is a perfect example! People say, 'If it feels so good, it can't be wrong!'
But as Paul says,
'Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!---assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.'- Ephesians 4:17-24, ESV
@ColdSkivvies@xanga - Unless you repent, you will perish (Cf. Luke 13). Whoever lusts for what is not theirs has already committed sin in their heart. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It would be better to enter life missing a hand than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehinnom (Cf. Matthew 5:27-30). Whoever practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does remain in the house forever. The son remains forever. So whom the Son sets free is free in deed (Cf. John 8:34-36). Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Cf. Matthew 11:28-30)
Cry out to God day and night to deliver you from sexual immorality, sensuality, impurity, deceitful desires, passions that are contrary to righteousness. Seek Him will all your heart and He will be found by you. He will deliver from this sin. He is faithful.
Praise the Lord!
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
- Matthew 5:27-30, ESV
Here's a little cultural context for you:
'R. Ammi, however, stated: He is called a renegade, because such is the art of the evil inclination: To-day it incites man to do one wrong thing, and to-morrow it incites him to worship idols and he proceeds to worship them.
There are others who read: R. Ammi stated, He who excites himself by lustful thoughts will not be allowed to enter the division of the Holy One, blessed be He. For here it is written, Was evil in the sight of the Lord, and elsewhere it is written, For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; evil shall not sojourn with Thee.
R. Eleazar stated: Who are referred to in the Scriptural text, Your hands are full of blood? Those that commit masturbation with their hands.
It was taught at the school of R. Ishmael, Thou shalt not commit adultery implies, Thou shalt not practise masturbation either with hand or with foot.'
- Babylonian Talmud: Niddah 13b
Is this not consistent with what Jesus is saying?
The passage continues. Look for the parallels...
'BUT IN THE CASE OF MEN IT OUGHT TO BE CUT OFF. The question was raised: Have we here learnt a law or merely an execration? 'Have we here learnt a law' as in the case where R. Huna cut off one's hand; 'or merely an execration'? — Come and hear what was taught: R. Tarfon said, 'If his hand touched the membrum let his hand be cut off upon his belly'. 'But', they said to him, 'would not his belly be split'? 'It is preferable', he replied, 'that his belly shall be split rather than that he should go down into the pit of destruction'. Now if you concede that we have here learnt a law one can well understand why they said, 'Would not his belly be split'; but if you maintain that we have only learnt of an execration, what could be meant by [the question] 'His belly be split'? — What then would you suggest, that we have learnt here a law, would it not suffice, [it may be objected, that the cutting off shall] not be done on his belly? — The fact, however, is that it was this that R. Tarfon meant: Whosoever puts his hand below his belly that hand shall be cut off. They said to R. Tarfon, 'If a thorn stuck in his belly, should he not remove it'? 'No', he replied. 'But [they said] would not his belly be split'? 'It is preferable', he replied, 'that his belly shall be split rather than that he should go down to the pit of destruction'.'
Some say woman are not "sensitive" like men (I.e. prone to arousal), that such things apply only to men, but as we can see, women are indeed prone to arousal. It would not be wise for women to assume that what the Master says to men, he says only to men, as indeed the scriptures often refer to "man" (adam), while meaning both men and women.
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.- Proverbs 14:15, ESV
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.- Proverbs 3:7, ESV
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
- Proverbs 14:16, ESV
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.- Proverbs 16:6, ESV
@ColdSkivvies@xanga - Just because "EVERYONE" does it, it doesn't make it right....
@musterion99@xanga - Jesus said "As much as you have done it in your heart you have sinned" so masturbation while you are fantasizing about someone is lust right? Arguably, I have considered before that if a person could masturbate without imagining, and therefore objectifying someone, it wouldnt be a sin. I have masterbated for instance, at cartoons(as ridiculous as that is) thinking that it isnt sin because I lusted after no person. But, other things in my heart automatically come into focus and add to this experience despite my intentions. Memories of beautiful features of real people, unjustifiable scenarios, etc...so I think that it depends on what is in your heart, aka your motive and sense of satisfaction...I dont think that any believer could just say "masturbation is no sin" any more than you could absolutely say that "killing in self-defense" is no sin" It all depends upon the truth of the context, and if we are honest with ourselves, I think that we will see that it is more often completely unjustifiable than not. No?
@gkhfjgh
- Jesus said "As much as you have done it in your heart you have sinned" so masturbation while you are fantasizing about someone is lust right?You can use your imagination, create a person, and imagine yourself being married. That is not sinful. If you say it is, you're saying it without any biblical support. Why does God take the time to mention all these different sexual sins and not include masturbation? Because it's not a sin unless used in a sinful way.
It all depends upon the truth of the context, and if we are honest with ourselves, I think that we will see that it is more often completely unjustifiable than not. No?
I have no idea what's in other people's hearts but even if the majority are sinfully lusting, that doesn't make it a sin for everyone. Read Romans 14 for an analgy, even though it's not specifically about masturbation. Also Colossians 2:20-23.
@jamesr2307 -
the best way to fix the result of a problem is to cut it off at the root. Sin isn't the fight, temptation is.No, that's legalism if you're going to apply that to everyone. If you are having problems, then you shouldn't do it but it's wrong for you to put a yoke on others. Read Romans 14. What's a sin for one person because they're weak, isn't a sin for every one else.
@musterion99@xanga - I don't really see how your reply applies to my comment, but the 14th chapter is really good, I definitely agree with its point that everyone should stand and serve God according to his convictions, to go with that if you sin and have no knowledge that it is sin, it can't be put against you because 'you know not what you do'. Also with that said, the bible says that we are conceived in sin, and we must ask forgiveness when we come to Christ because we learn of the sins that we have committed. I believe that masturbation falls under this: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15~17), it is sinful, because it is conceived in lust (James 1:12~17). And let us not forget Romans 12:1~2 "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, the ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable, service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," (by the bible) "that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
God Bless, Have a wonderful day.
p.s.-"Love covers a multitude of sins".... but the bible also calls for change, laying down our lives, picking up the cross.
@jamesr2307 - Being conceived in sin does not mean that married couples having sex is a sin. I hope that's not what you're implying. It means our parents are sinful beings, like we all are. So I don't know why you would even bring that up. It has nothing to do with masturbation. There's not one verse in the bible that says masturbation is a sin. God mentions all kinds of sexual sins. If masturbation was a sin, he surely would have told us. By you saying it is, you are adding to God's word and committing eisegesis. It's no different than what Eve did when she added to God's word. God said to not "eat" from the tree of knowledge but Eve added to what God said and said she couldn't "touch" it. Man always wants to add on to what God has said and make man made rules that God didn't say. Read Colossians 2:20-23.
The Pharisees also did this and Jesus rebuked them for it. Masturbation is not conceived in sinful lust unless one makes it that way. It's no different than drinking wine. Drinking wine in itself is not a sin but getting drunk is. Again Romans 12:1-2, like the other verses you gave, has no bearing on masturbation anymore than drinking wine. You are grasping at verses to try and force your theology on them.
God bless you too.
@southern_belle86@xanga - It's natural to do all the things the ten commandments say not to do. It's also natural to hate your enemy, not love him/her, like Jesus taught.