"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
Masturbation & Pornography
Let's start with pornography. Looking at pornography is an obvious sin.
"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 lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." {Matthew 5:27-28 NASB}
In order to abstain from, or reduce, masturbation, it is necessary to first break free from pornography.
Masturbation, in and of itself, is also a sin. This, however, requires a deeper look into Scripture.
Let's start with the issue of holiness. Holiness is commanded in both the Old and New Testaments
"You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." {Leviticus 19:2 NASB}
"The God who chose you is holy. So you should be holy in all that you do. It is written, 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" {1 Peter 1:15-16 NIRV}
Masturbation is not holy.
More applicable Scriptures follow.
"Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. {2 Peter 2:11 NASB}
"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." {Galatians 5:17 NIV}
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." {Colossians 3:5 NIV}
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." {Ephesians 5:3 NIV}
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." {Proverbs 4:23 KJV}
Sex, within marriage, as intended, combines sex with love; it is about "giving." Masturbation and pornography are about "taking."
Masturbation needs perversion to survive. It is always based on perversion, to one degree or another. It is very difficult to masturbate entertaining a sexual fantasy consistent with what is actually allowed in Scripture.
Masturbation is a sin. Christians need to be aware of this.
Masturbation is a very common sin.
Demons will try to get you to masturbate, as with any sin.
Wilfully engaging in any sin makes spiritual warfare more difficult. We are told to submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7) and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
This is especially a concern in regard to aberrant sexual fantasies. Aberrant sexual fantasies are discussed later.
Masturbation is a particularly difficult sin issue to avoid since sexual desire is normal and to be expected.
God does, however, provide us with a means of escape in regard to every sin issue.
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." {1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV}
"Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." {1 Corinthians 7:8-9 NIV}
For those who do not have the gift of singleness, the ideal biblical solution is to get married, not to masturbate and not to look at pornography.
Until and unless this happens, here are some tips to help you to avoid these sins.
These are difficult sins to break free of, or even cut down on, especially when you first start to try.
It will take time for you to make progress.
However, you can make progress. Even though, at first, this may seem impossible.
Do your best to avoid these sins.
Sexual desire is normal. And sexual foreplay, including partner masturbation, during intercourse, is fine.
Recognize, however, that self-masturbation is a sin.
Recognize, also, that you will be blessed as you make progress.
"He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend."
{Proverbs 22:11 NKJV}
Don't beat yourself up when you fail; this gives power to the devil. Just confess your sin to God (1 John 1:9) and try to do better the next time.
None of us are perfect. Don't expect yourself to be perfect.
Your goal is to sin less. None of us are sinless.
In the Bible, lust is defined as a disordered, intense desire, often sexual, that disregards God and objectifies other people.
It is a selfish craving for pleasure or possession that leads away from God.
General guidance follows.
Avoid people, places and things that trigger you to look at pornography, engage in masturbation or give in to fornication.
This includes obvious triggers like sexually arousing thoughts, movies and books with sexual content and videos with immodestly dressed people.
This may also include news content about prostitution and sexual abuse, including Christian testimonies.
It can also include triggers like stress, frustration and boredom.
Don't entertain sinful, sexually arousing thoughts. This is a primary goal. View sinful, sexually arousing thoughts, as any other spiritual attack; resist the devil.
Resist demonic lust attacks right away. You'll have better success this way.
Specific suggestions follow that can be used to combat lustful thoughts and/or demonic pressure to masturbate.
Make an effort to abstain from masturbation for a period of time. Start with one-half hour. Even though the demonic pressure to give in is intense. The pressure you feel will eventually subside. This is the only truly reliable way to make progress when you first start. This should also be a part of your ongoing efforts going forward.
The following will, in time, with practice, serve to reduce the amount and frequency of demonic pressure you feel to masturbate. They are used when sexually arousing thoughts first come to mind.
These are important because, simply abstaining for a period of time, alone, is not a viable strategy.
Specific suggestions follow.
Pray for help when you're under attack. Example: "Lord I need your help!"
You can also pray against the spirit of lust. Demons are identified by their function (Mark 9:24).
Example: "I pray against the spirit of lust, in Jesus' name. Thank You Lord."
Use the following affirmation: "I break this in the name of Jesus."
Scripture: "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces." {Psalm 107:14 NKJV}
Recite Scripture. Examples follow.
- "Be holy, for I am holy." {1 Peter 1:16 NKJV}
- "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes . . ." {Psalms 101.3 NKJV}
- "Do not be envious of wrongdoers." (Psalm 37:1 NASB}
- "Hate what is evil . . ." {Romans 12:9 NIV}
- "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife . . ." {Exodus 20:17 NIV}
- ". . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right . . . think about these things." {Philippians 4:8 NASB}
- "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." {Proverbs 14:12 NIV}
- Be sure of this, your sin will find you out. {Numbers 32:23 Paraphrase}
"For the Word of God is living and active . . ." {Hebrews 4:12 NASB}
And apply Scripture to your thought life.
Use affirmations, based on Scripture. These also have supernatural power.
Examples follow.
Scripture: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." {Romans 13:14 NASB}
This, in my experience, is the most effective Scripture.
Affirmations:
- I'm putting on Jesus.
- I make no provision for the flesh.
Alternative:
- I'm putting on Jesus.
- Look at the person/situation through Jesus' eyes.
Scripture: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." {Proverbs 4:23 KJV}
Affirmation: I choose purity.
Scripture: "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a girl." {Job 31:1 TLB}
Affirmation: I will not look upon a girl with lust.
Scripture: "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." {Romans 6:11 NKJV}
Notice that the Scripture says that this is a choice and that it is something we can do. You can be dead to sin—if you want to be.
Affirmation options:
- I'm dead to sin; I'm alive to God.
- I choose to be dead to sin.
- I'm dead to sin.
Scripture: "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." {Romans 12:9 NIV}
Affirmations:
- I choose to hate evil.
- I hate evil.
Scripture: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." {Psalm 19:14 ESV}
Claim promises found in Scripture. An example follows.
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." {1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV}
Lord, I claim the way of escape.
Pray for the person you're lusting after. This is another way of countering lust.
Correct unholy self-talk.
Example: "I want to (fill in blank)."
Examples of corrections:
- I don't want to do that.
- I want to succeed in my Christian life.
- "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes . . ." {Psalms 101.3 NKJV}
- Etc.
Your self-talk is very important. Don't entertain improper thoughts. Correct improper thoughts.
Renounce demonic lies: Example: "I renounce the lie that wickedness can make me happy."
Using any two items is more effective.
Example:
- "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes . . ." {Psalms 101.3 NKJV}
- I pray against the spirit of lust in Jesus' name.
Then, think about something else.
The content of sexual fantasies is especially important. Some sins are worse than others (John 19:11). Aberrant sexual fantasies are of salient concern for several reasons. They follow.
First: Entertaining sexual fantasies, involving doing harm to another person, will make you emotionally weak. They result in anxiety (Proverbs 23:7, 28:1, Isaiah 48:22). They also create an impediment to your prayers being answered (Psalm 66:18).
Second: They make you more vulnerable in terms of spiritual warfare. They also result in a spiritual foothold which can result in more serious sin in real life.
Third: They are more addictive. It is much more difficult to avoid masturbation when such fantasies are prevalent.
Fourth: Other people, sooner or later, will pick up on this which will result in embarrassment and other problems.
In summary, aberrant sexual fantasies are more addictive and result in greater negative consequences.
It is very important that you abstain from sexual fantasies involving the following:
- Doing harm to another person (Psalm 59:5).
- Sex involving minors (Matthew 18:6).
Sexual fantasies, involving wickedness, do result in an intense sexual high. But these will damage your Christian life and your Christian witness.
Pray with another Christian when you're experiencing demonic pressure to masturbate. This is the most effective thing you can do.
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." {Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV}
Recognize that other sin issues—especially unforgiveness—will impair your ability to avoid giving in to masturbation unless successfully addressed.
These are addressed in other articles on this website.
Demonic pressure to masturbate occurs in concert with anxiety. Any anxiety you experience will also likely create a temptation to masturbate.
Recognize, also, that there are other biblical interventions that can be effective that are not limited to lust issues.
Refer to the article series entitled When Satan Gets a Foothold. Another link is provided at the end of this article.
As you make progress, biblical interventions that were previously ineffective, will become much more effective.
More information follows.
Avoid media content that is sexually arousing—especially if you are single and, hence, do not have a legitimate sexual outlet. I think this is less of a problem for the married.
Filtering software is available and may help. Someone else should have the password.
You Tube also has a "restricted mode" that can be used.
For singles: It is a mistake to believe that you only have to avoid media content that involves nudity. Avoid any media content that is sexually arousing. For women and girls, this includes romance novels.
For men: Men are very visual. A suggestion, for men, follows.
Train your eyes to bounce; that is, don't look a second time. And don't stare.
The more disciplined you are in terms of your thought life and media habits, the easier it becomes to avoid this sin.
We all have different triggers that tempt us to masturbate. Avoid these triggers.
Remember, your subconscious mind works 24 hours a day.
Again, waiting for a period of time is highly recommended. The pressure you feel will eventually subside. And this is the only truly reliable way to make progress when you first start.
Applying the suggestions provided earlier will, over time, enable you to reduce demonic pressure to masturbate and enable you to, consequently, be more successful.
In time, this will become an easier temptation to avoid. It will not, however, ever go away completely.
More information follows.
For men: There are uncomfortable bodily sensations that you will experience whenever you are sexually aroused and there is no release. These will subside, in time. They are nothing to worry about.
Guilt: Guilt gives power to the devil and makes it difficult or impossible to make progress.
It is unrealistic to expect yourself to be perfect. We all have a sin nature and sinful sexual desires.
"I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good." {Romans 7:21 NASB}
Don't engage in negative self-talk. Correct self-critical thoughts.
If you're feeling guilty about masturbation, pornography, some sexual sin or some perverse sexual fantasy—and can't break free of the guilt on your own—talk to someone about the issue. Of course, select such a person carefully.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." {James 5:16 NASB}
This can be a friend, family member, church elder, pastor or counselor. Support groups are also available.
A professional example follows.
A heterosexual drug addict told me that he had been paid to engage in homosexual sex—which he found disgusting. I think it was beneficial for him to confess his sin to me. He knew me and had confidence that I would not be judgemental. And he knew that, as a professional counselor, I would not disclose his secret to others.
One caution follows.
Licensed counselors have mandatory reporting requirements that may apply if you've sexually abused someone or willfully viewed child pornography. Pastors also have reporting requirements, though these differ. Consult an attorney, in advance, if this is a concern for you. You can also ask such a person, in advance, about reporting requirements that may apply. You can also research the issue online for rules that apply in your jurisdiction.
Non-professionals do not have legal reporting requirements. Of course, anyone can call the police.
The consequences of a criminal conviction can be severe. Never admit to police that you've committed an offense without first consulting with an attorney.
Many churches have support groups that deal with masturbation, pornography and sexual abuse. And online support groups are also available.
Remember:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man . . . " {1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV}
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" {Jeremiah 17:9 KJV}
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." {James 5:16 NASB}
Learn from the experience of others.
One example of a Christian testimony: This Is The Only Way I Could Overcome Porn.
Casting out demons may also be necessary. One pastor's testimony: I Couldn't Break My Porn Addiction Until I Did This . . .
Many Christian testimonies on overcoming masturbation/pornography are available on You Tube.
View these testimonies so that you can benefit from the experience of others.
Keep trying. And confess your sins to God whenever you slip up.
The less you view pornography, the easier it will become to avoid this sin. The less you masturbate, the easier it will become to avoid masturbation and, if you do masturbate, avoid more problematic sexual fantasies.
Don't stress over this.
Just do the best that you can.
Keep trying.
You will make progress.
Your goal is to sin less. None of us are sinless.
You will have greater success in your Christian life, and more peace, as you make progress in abstaining from all sins—including the sins of masturbation and pornography.
Some closing comments follow.
First: Again, this article only applies to self-masturbation. The mutual pleasuring that takes place in a marital relationship is fine. If you are married, you still need to avoid self-masturbation.
Second: Don't violate your marriage vows—even while having sex with your spouse. One woman found it exciting to imagine, while she was having sex with her husband, that she was really having sex with her husband's brother. As a result, she became plagued with guilt that she had to deal with.
Third: If you have doubts as to whether or not masturbation is a sin, you can test the issue—or any other issue—just as Gideon did (Judges 6:36-40). An example follows.
While you are experiencing anxiety and/or depression: "Dear Lord, if masturbation is a sin, I ask forgiveness of my sin and ask that you would make this clear to me by immediately restoring my peace. In Jesus' name. Amen."
And see what happens.
Fourth: If you're unable to make progress on your own, look for an accountability partner or an accountability group. These are available at many churches and online groups are also available. Your spouse is another possible option.
Fifth: If you're married and struggling with pornography and/or masturbation—and your spouse doesn't know—wait until you're reasonably certain that you can avoid the sin before telling your spouse. Otherwise, you will make both of you feel unnecessarily very uncomfortable as you repetitively confess your sins to your spouse.
Sixth: If, in the future, you desire a quick review on how to make progress, refer to the article entitled Avoiding Lust. A link is below.
Seventh: If you feel that you might need demons to be cast out of you, check into deliverance ministries. A link is below.
Finally, some related content:
- Avoiding Lust.
- Deliverance Ministries.
- When Satan Gets a Foothold.
- Sexual Abuse.
- The Sin Nature.
- Stopping Spiritual Attacks.
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