Overcoming Mastrubation
“If the practice [of self abuse, an earlier name for masturbation] is continued from the ages of fifteen and upward, nature will protest against the abuse she has suffered, and continues to suffer, and will make them pay the penalty for the transgression of her laws, especially from the ages of thirty to forty-five, by numerous pains in the system and various diseases, such as affection of the liver and lungs, neuralgia, rheumatism, affection of the spine, diseased kidneys, and cancerous humors.”— Ellen white, Child Guidance, p. 444.
Masturbation (Self Sex/Self abuse/Vice) is the stimulation of one's own sexual organ by hand (or by other means) to ejaculate and get sexual satisfaction. Many youngsters, both male and female, start masturbation at a young age. They don't know about its consequences and they continue on this bad practice. Eventually they end up with many problems. Due to the nature of the problem they are not able to discuss it with any one, not even parents. Due to lack of knowledge, those little problems create serious problems in their life esp. in their youth period. This article is not meant to discourage married people from enjoying the sexual blessings within the parameters of marriage. We all know it’s a special and holy gift from God. But sex should be moderate even with the martial life partner. It’s better to get married and have a good life than burning the body which causes various health problems and weakens the body.
"Some who make a high profession do not understand the sin of self-abuse and its sure results. Long-established habit has blinded their understanding. They do not realize the exceeding sinfulness of this degrading sin, which is enervating the system and destroying their brain nerve power......If the practice is continued from the ages of fifteen and upward, nature will protest against the abuse she has suffered, and continues to suffer, and will make them pay the penalty for the transgression of her laws, especially from the ages of thirty to forty-five, by numerous pains in the system and various diseases, such as affection of the liver and lungs, neuralgia, rheumatism, affection of the spine, diseased kidneys, and cancerous humors. Some of nature's fine machinery gives way, leaving a heavier task for the remaining to perform, which disorders nature's fine arrangement; and there is often a sudden breaking down of the constitution, and death is the result. {Ellen White, Counsels for the Churches p.110.5,} "
Read this article many times to understand the issues.
Health Risks:
Headache, catarrh, dizziness, nervousness, pain in the shoulders and side, loss of appetite, pain in the back and limbs, feverish nights, of tired feelings in the morning, and great exhaustion after exercising, enervation, absent minded, easily irritated, etc. It also weakens the nervous system and shortens longevity.
There is an important factor to be considered seriously. More zinc is found in the prostate gland than any other organ in the body. Zinc is a trace mineral needed in only very small amounts, but a deficiency can lead to major medical problems. Zinc is found in high concentration in sperm and seminal fluid. The brain also must have adequate zinc in order to keep the thoughts organized and balanced. Excessive sexual practice may lead to depletion of zinc stores which may be followed by both prostate disease and neurologic and mental disorders. All nerve tissue is also dependent for proper functioning on this trace mineral.
The best blood of woman, as well as man, goes to the generative organs for the purpose of forming the new being; and, if it is lost by this constant drain from a million men and women, who can estimate how much lower we stand in consequence of this, both as regards to physical and mental conditions, than we might have done had the life-forces of our progenitors been preserved intact?
Hence the great cause of these physical, mental, and moral evils is secret vice, which inflames the passions, fevers the imagination, and leads to fornication and adultery, and other bad habits.
Causes:
Thoughts are Crucial Factor. Impure thoughts lead to impure actions. Avoid reading, and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts. If the thoughts are wrong, the feeling will be wrong; and the thoughts and feeling combined make up the moral character.
Another cause is Idleness. It leads to the indulgence of corrupt habits. Idleness is a curse. It produces licentious habits. Everyone knows that idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Always engage in good activities to prevent temptation. Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character; Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. Main cause is influence of debasing books and pictures.
Overcoming Masturbation:
Those who are addicted to this will despairingly exclaim, “What shall we do?” God has not left such to perish in their sins. But will help the weak and helpless, if they cast themselves in faith upon him. Here you will find lifestyle reform which will help to overcome this bad habit.
Abstain Totally:
"The least indulgence weakens hope, and is like paddling the canoe down the Niagara rapids, instead of toward its banks. Gradual emancipation, like leaving off drinking by degrees, will certainly increase both indulgence and suffering. This is true of all bad habits - is a law of things, and especially applicable here. `To quit now is easier than tomorrow'. Some of my contemporaries advise occasional indulgence.
Totally and unequivocally condemn all indulgence, every instance of which both augments passion and weakens resistance, by subjecting intellect and moral sentiment to propensity. If you cannot conquer now, you never can. Make one desperate stand and struggle. Summon every energy! Not once more! STOP SHORT!! `Touch not, taste not, handle not,' lest you `perish with the using.'
Diet and Regimen:
Should be rigidly abstemious: No alcohol; No smoking, No Tea and Coffee; No junk foods; No meat; No egg and dairy milks products; No refined sugar food items; No caffeine drinks like soft drinks; No fried food items; No spicy foods, etc., because all these things will stimulate the baser passions. Avoid all spicy and stimulating foods. The food should be nutritious, but non-stimulating. The two-meal system is of special advantage, as the presence of food in the stomach at night is often the exciting cause of nocturnal emissions. If you want third meals, eat some fruits. Enjoy lot of salads and fruits. This will help the brain to become stronger to resist evil temptation. Never eat fruits and vegetable in same meal. Avoid eating genetically modified food and seedless fruits. These foods stimulates vice habits. Phyto-estrogen in soy milk helps to reduce the libido in men and does not cause impotence.
Exercise:
Plenty of physical exercise should be enjoined upon this class of patients; not enough to produce exhaustion or excessive fatigue, but enough to induce good sound sleep. Much mental exercise should be strenuously avoided. The mind should not be taxed with cares, nor should much reading be indulged in. Especially should any exercise of the brain be avoided toward night, or in the evening. As congestion of the brain is often the exciting cause of spermatorrhea, by reason of the intimate relation between the brain and the sexual system, it will readily be seen that to keep the head cool is all important. Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, etc. will help the excess energy in the body to get used. Walking is the best exercise.
Sleeping:
Sufferers from these difficulties should cultivate regular habits of sleeping and resting, and should never lie in bed to encourage a dreamy or unsound sleep. Go to bed between 9 and 9:30 pm. This is good because Melatonin and Serotonin hormones are produced more before midnight. Both hormones rejuvenate the whole body. It helps to restore the vital nerve energy. Benefits of good sleep: Rebuilds the cells of your body; Refreshes the brain; Chases away fatigue; Enhances the cleansing process, and promotes healing; Growth hormones are released; Reinforces your character structure; Emotional and physiological adjustments takes place.
Bathing and Hydrotherapy:
Every day baths should be cool, but not too cold. A Cold sitz bath may be taken from once to four times per week, for 5-10 minutes duration. Give at the same time a hot foot bath, and apply cool wet cloths to the head. The frequency of this treatment will depend upon the condition of the patient. Cool bathing of the parts affected is also beneficial.
Dress:
Wear comfortable dress from natural fiber like cotton. Avoid wearing synthetic fiber, which irritates skin. Wearing clean cloths is important. Wearing undergarments is must. But never wear tight undergarments. Dress should be neither tight, not loose. Avoid sleeveless dress. Extremities [hands, arms, feet and legs] should be covered. In order to equalize the circulation of the blood, the clothing should be equally distributed upon the person, that equal warmth may be preserved in all parts of the body. Important issue is— don’t touch the sensual organs unnecessarily.
Social Surroundings:
The patient should be placed in circumstances favorable to the preservation of equanimity of temper, and of self-respect. Above all, let the surroundings, so far as associates are concerned, be of the highest moral character. Let the mind be elevated to dwell upon the purity and holiness of Heaven, rather than the groveling, sensual things of earth. Let a sense of moral responsibility fill the mind, to the exclusion of gloom and despondency, and with earnest, cheerful, and hopeful trust in God, go forward in the work of reform and restoration, till the traces of sin and shame are effaced, and God's noble gift of MANHOOD is restored, that you may fully glorify God in your body and spirit, which are His.
Controlling the Thoughts:
You should control your thoughts. This will not be an easy task; you cannot accomplish it without a close and even severe effort. Yet God requires this of you; it is a duty resting upon every accountable being. You are responsible to God for your thoughts. If you indulge in vain imaginations, permitting your mind to dwell upon impure subjects, you are, in a degree, as guilty before God as if your thoughts were carried into action. All that prevents the action is the lack of opportunity. Avoid reading and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts. Cultivate the moral and intellectual powers. Let not these noble powers become enfeebled and perverted by much reading of even story books. Bible gives a solution (in Philippians 4:8). “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Trust in God:
The person must trust in God and himself alone, and strengthen his mind in the outset with a resolution to persevere in the use of means which Nature will recognize as aids in the great restorative work. Communion with, and love for, God, the practice of holiness, the destruction of sin, are all pleasant. The reading of God's word does not fascinate the imagination, and inflame the passions, like a fictitious story book, but softens, soothes, elevates, and sanctifies, the heart. When the youth are in trouble, when assailed by fierce temptations, they have the privilege of prayer. Anyone can close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere prayer. Every day spend more time in studying Bible and high quality Christian books, then three to four times sincere earnest prayer in a day will help to keep the mind away for impure thoughts. Have a schedule of prayer in a day. Memorizing Bible verses will help to resist the temptation. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalms 119:11)
- Reference book: 'A SOLEMN APPEAL' Edited by Elder James White, 1870