Tuesday, 7^th February, 2023

Bible Reading: Psalm 24: 3-4

Memory Verse: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13 (KJV)

Credit to the works of Pure Life Ministries. Masturbation, is an unholy act of “self-gratification” played out over and over and over again in the lives of too many men, and especially teenagers and youths. Flee from this compelling habit sponsored by self. Take note:

1. Sex was invented and designed by God Himself for the purposes of procreation and to express intimacy and love between a male husband and female wife. Masturbation clearly does not fulfill God’s purpose for sex.

• Sex is not a need, but rather a desire. We do not need sex to live and prosper and fulfill the purposes for which we were created. In his book, “At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry”, Steve Gallagher acknowledges that the sex drive peaks in the 5-10 day period after the last release, but dissipates thereafter to a manageable level. Scripture admonishes us to starve the flesh. (Colossians 3:5, Romans 8:13, Ephesians 4:22)

• A practice of masturbation tends to make one sexually independent. Married persons no longer look to their spouse exclusively for sexual pleasure, and become less willing to give what it takes to satisfy and be satisfied completely with their partner. A single person has one less reason to make the kind of commitment needed for a godly marriage.

• The practice of masturbation flies in the face of the virtue of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:23) Jesus said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Mark 8:34-35). Denying “self” includes resisting the temptation to gratify ourselves with the pleasure of masturbation.

• It is virtually impossible to masturbate without fantasizing. Those who disagree are kidding themselves. Jesus said, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  (Matthew 5:28) Jesus’ words leave no room for the fantasies that feed lust and masturbation.

Quote: Masturbation—having sex with yourself—is the pinnacle of selfishness.\

Prophetic Decree: Let the power of the Cross crush the yoke of masturbation in your life, in Jesus name.

Prayer Focus

1. Thank you Jesus for the power to stop all bad sinful addiction.

2. I receive divine grace not to live for myself, in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, please empower me to live above self, sin, and Satan, in Jesus name.

4. I rebuke the activities of the demon of masturbation over my life, in Jesus name.

5. Henceforth, I reject and renounce all compelling habits, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 25-27