We join with you in this battle and we thank you for your honesty and for your determination to turn from this sin, and we praise God that you called upon the name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and victory over sin.
We want to affirm that your desire for a holy hatred for this sin is pleasing to God, and we also want to lovingly speak the truth that masturbation is not a harmless habit but is rooted in lust and sexual immorality, which God calls us to flee. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart, and this shows that the issue is not only the outward act but the inward lust that feeds it. God designed the gift of sexuality to be enjoyed within the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and any sexual activity outside of that, including self gratification driven by lustful thoughts or images, falls short of His holy standard. We do not say this to condemn you, for there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus in Romans 8:1, but to call sin what it is so that we can truly repent and find freedom.
We understand the discouragement of relapsing after two weeks of victory, but we encourage you that God sees your repentance and your renewed determination. Proverbs 28:13 says he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. And 1 John 1:9 promises if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Your relapse does not mean God has abandoned you, it means the battle for purity is ongoing and must be fought in the power of the Holy Spirit and not merely by willpower.
Scripture gives us both warning and hope. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says 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 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and we are to glorify God in our body. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 says for this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor. And 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us no temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
We encourage you to walk by the Spirit so you will not gratify the desires of the flesh as Galatians 5:16 teaches, and to make practical provision for that escape. Take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ as in 2 Corinthians 10:5, hide the Word in your heart that you might not sin against Him as Psalm 119:11 says, and flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness as 2 Timothy 2:22 exhorts. This means cutting off every source of temptation, whether it be images, videos, idle time alone, or impure fantasies, installing filters if needed, bringing your struggle into the light with a trusted mature Christian believer for accountability, filling your mind daily with Scripture and prayer, and when temptation comes, immediately turning to Christ, praying, reciting Scripture, and physically removing yourself from the situation.
We now pray together with you.
Father, we come before Your throne of grace in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We thank You for this dear one who is hungering for holiness and who hates this sin. We confess before You this sin of lust and sexual immorality and we ask for Your complete forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. Cleanse this heart, create in us a clean heart as Psalm 51:10 prays, and renew a right spirit within. Fill us with a holy hatred for every form of impurity and a deep love for Your purity. By Your Holy Spirit give power to say no to the flesh and yes to You, teach us to control our bodies in sanctification and honor, and to walk by the Spirit each day. When temptation comes, show us the way of escape and give us courage to take it. Replace lustful thoughts with thoughts that are true, honorable, just, pure and lovely as in Philippians 4:8. Strengthen us to stand firm, to resist the devil as James 4:7 says, and to find our satisfaction in Christ alone. Lead us in lifelong purity, and if single, prepare us to honor marriage as You designed it, and if married, to honor our marriage covenant. We ask for lasting victory, not by our own strength, but by Your grace, and we thank You that You who began a good work will perfect it. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
