The M Word: How I closed that door

At different times in my life, I felt God say these things to me, regarding masturbation:
“What if I told you that if you stopped, the memories would fade?”
“I created it for two.”

Since I’ve decided that I don’t want to masturbate, this is a huge motivator for not dwelling on memories and being careful regarding letting in sexual stimulation to my ears and eyes, because if I dwell too long, I get really revved up.

Examples of sexually stimulating entertainment:

• Thoughts/memories/fantasy
• Sexually suggestive media – shows, movies, books, manga
• Romantic stories can also be included in this, depending on the reason you find yourself drawn to watch these things, and the fruit that is born from watching it. Is the Holy Spirit bringing conviction in this area?

I choose to not watch any sexual content (sex scenes, sexual dialogue). This can suddenly appear on even a PG television show. I look at the IMDB Parental Guide, and without reading too carefully (because that in itself can be graphic), I decide if I’m going to watch the movie. In this season where I desire my sex drive to be sleeping, I have a pretty low tolerance of what I can handle without waking stuff up, but I want to keep it that way!

I know my own limit for conversations about sex, sexuality, and even romance. Sexuality is not shameful, and Christians SHOULD be talking about it in a respectful way, but for me, I have a maximum capacity for how much talk I can handle before that cup overflows and wakes stuff up. I shamelessly let people know when that limit is approaching, and excuse myself from the conversation.

If stuff is happening; if you’ve already fed a thought, and it’s turning into pretty fired up feelings, but you don’t want to masturbate:

• Change environments. Move around; go for a walk outside.
• Thank God for His perfect design: He designed your sexuality – it is not sinful. He knew that you would have “x” number of years in singleness. He is not surprised by this, therefore He has a way for you to be able to walk it out!

Your sexuality is not shameful; invite God into this part of your life too. We can tell Him:
“God, my hormones feel like they’re raging right now. Quiet my hormones that I would not burn with lust. I trust You. Paul said that being single was wonderful; that in singleness a person’s affections could be fully Yours (1 Corinthians 7:35). But also, You designed the concept of marriage and sex, and You said that it was good.
In my singleness, may my desire to know You as my First Love remain throughout my life regardless of relationship status. Let it be so. Bring me deeper. And if Your plan is marriage for me, help me to be postured for that, in Your perfect timing.”