”“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”“
Jeremiah 17:10 NIV
Holy Hugs 🫂. Let’s get to it!!
I have been in the church literally all my life but a great part of my life I had to deal with masturbation. It is something that The Lord has since delivered me from , praise Him !! I would like to help someone with what I know so they can also experience the joys of a holy life! Living a holy and pure life is possible!! I would rise and fall, l cannot say for sure it was an addiction but it was definitely something I did at times. IT was the battle of the mind!!! The truth is, this is such a sexually driven world, 80% of the time what is before you (especially on social media) is lust. My testimony is not an uncommon one, masturbation is not something that cannot be overcome. Infact, life is more beautiful from this side – of liberty – freedom indeed. We will deal with the topic in a broader context when we study yielding the body but let’s touch on it a bit because it is an action that comes from a thought.
Where is this battle for purity being fought? Is it in the courtroom, or on the WWE ring?, Where do you think that the battle for purity is being fought? Is it fought in the boxing ring? No! It is fought in your mind! Your heart! That is where the real battle is. Where no one else can see its intensity but you! Can’t you see? That your mind is a battle field. Whatever defeats you there , defeats you physically and in all you ever do thereafter. You may feel like no other Christian has these struggles and that you will never have lasting victory over it. I want to tell you today that both assumptions are incorrect. The truth is that other Christians do struggle with the same temptations as you but not everyone falls for the devil’s tricks .
Many people who have broken free from masturbation or are still addicted to it can attest to the fact that, it all started with a thought. The thought then triggers feelings , and the feelings lead to the lustful act. This is why, thoughts are not just thoughts. Thoughts are the channel that both Holy Spirit and the Devil use to influence your life. The actions of a person reveal to us who is influencing their thoughts. Let’s be clear, masturbation is an act of instant, self-gratification. It is quite the opposite of self-control that we are constantly reminded of in the Bible. Self-control is an act of obedience to our Holy God and a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) an act that requires restraint, sober-mindedness, and devotion to God. A sober mind can detect the tricks of the enemy.
God says He examines the mind! Imagine this! Every time a thought pops up , God examines it. Your thoughts are not – a – secret. I will type that again, your thoughts are not a secret. We often think “this is hidden” no, it is not. God has already tested your mind! Sin thrives in secret and so the devil wants you to think that it’s between you and the walls! But God has long known it. Your thoughts are on the table -daily! Every moment.
”In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!“
Romans 8:7 TPT
What is your mind set on? What kind of thoughts dominate your mind? In order for us to yield our minds to God we need to be intentional about rebuking every flesh focused thought. Thoughts cannot be fought by thoughts! They’re fought by words. When the thoughts comes, you open your mouth and say “Devil l rebuke you!” Every battle has a strategy! The battle of the mind is fought by utterance of the word! It is fought on a different field, the field of words! That is how I won! That’s how I keep winning!
If you’re struggling with fighting thoughts, feed yourself with the Word, stay, stick , with the Word! Fast and pray!! If you slack in battle, you lose the battle. Family , we can yield. We must yield to Holy Spirit. Wake up and smell the coffee, or atleast smell the devil, he is not a sleeping enemy!
So how can we?