C. Commit to flee evil and find godly companionship.
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Tim. 2:22, NLT).
If you’re serious about being an “overcomer” (And I personally believe you are or you wouldn’t still be reading this article!) and overcoming the besetting sin of masturbation, then here is your closing challenge:
- Discontinue activities, behavior and relationships with compromising counterfeit “Christians” and anyone leading you astray.
- Do like Job who said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1). “Look” in Hebrew means “to separate mentally”, so no more undressing with your eyes or separating mentally the clothes from another’s body!
- Find a same-sex accountability partner for both prayer and mutual support in your pursuit of a victorious Christian life.
- Fight temptation the same way Jesus did by wielding the “sword of the spirit which is the Word of God” (Eph. 6:17). In the wilderness when He was tempted He declared, “It is written…” three times to thwart the enemy’s attacks.
- In the morning when you may be most vulnerable, get up and get going! Don’t “slo mo” getting out of bed, showering and getting dressed to launch into your day.
- Finally, cultivate the Presence of God and an atmosphere of intimacy with your heavenly Bridegroom. Surround yourself with praise and worship music and let the Holy Spirit stay close to you.
Here’s a closing thought from my friend Bert Farias who also communicated with me on this sensitive subject.
“As a man, what has helped me to keep masturbation in check over the years and not indulge my body in it has been to have a positive motivation incentive. Instead of thinking of masturbation as unlawful, or the illicit sexual fantasies that accompany it as forbidden by a God whom you may start to view as a killjoy or a hard task master, ask yourself this question: ‘Are a few moments of illicit sexual fantasies worth short-circuiting the sweet intimacy of the Presence of the Lord in your life?’ This perspective will give you a healthy and positive incentive for overcoming pornography and sexual fantasies that fuel you to masturbate. Is it worth the guilt and condemnation you will carry afterward? This is the wisdom that I imparted to my own teenage son.”
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with more than 41 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview. He loves awakening people to today’s cultural realities and responses needed for a restored, influential church. Please visit LarryTomczak.com.
