We are grateful for your honesty and desire to overcome lust and masturbation, and to live a holy life. These struggles are real, and they are addressed in the Bible. Let's turn to the Word of God for guidance and encouragement.
Firstly, it's crucial to remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. As it is written, "Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 WEB)
Lust and masturbation are not part of God's will for our lives. Jesus said, "But I tell you, that everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 WEB) This teaches us that lust is not just about actions, but also about the thoughts and desires of our hearts.
To overcome these struggles, we must first repent and turn away from them. "Flee sexual immorality! Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18 WEB)
Living a holy life is a journey of obedience and sanctification. It is written, "Because it is written, 'You shall be holy; for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:16 WEB) Holiness is not just about what we don't do, but also about what we do. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Mark 12:30-31 WEB)
Let's pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, confessing and repenting of the sins of lust and masturbation. Please forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Help us to overcome these struggles through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help us to live holy lives, pleasing to you, in every way. Guide us in your Word, and help us to apply it to our lives. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 WEB)
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Remember, God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with the temptation to make a way of escape, so that we may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 WEB)
Stand firm in the faith, and keep your eyes on Jesus.