Hearing Christopher West say that he has been free from the sin of masturbation since he was twenty years old gives me so much hope and motivation, since I myself am currently 19, soon to be 20. God bless!
Dude, let me tell u this brother, pls start praying the rosary daily. I’m 18 and been struggling and failing to overcome it on my own since 12/13 now. It’s been 2-3 weeks of consistent praying of the holy rosary and I tell u it helps so much. When they say it’s the most powerful spiritual weapon, they do not lie. I tested it and i now believe.
Similar situation here, Im 20 right now but it wasn't until a few months ago that I no longer wanted lust to dominate over my life anymore. Lots of things went into fighting it (and still am), but here are some stuff that helped me. I am more than happy to share more of my experience with anyone who reads this , but I will make it short for now. Going to confession, Avoiding triggers, Praying and making it a routine, Learning just how horrible Lust is and its negative effects on myself and those around me, Having a prayer ready for whenever temptations come, Avoiding idleness. And the most important one for me was relying only in God. I attempted to stop on my own many times but would always fail. Sometimes lasting only 1-2 days but ever since I started asking God for strength and seeking him, I have slowly been able to detach myself from Lust. Temptations still come, but having prayers ready and a fighting spirit really helps
I'm 37. I was horribly addicted to the PMO cycle from 3rd grade to age 35. A daily rosary practice helps tremendously, so does being too busy to do it and not having enough privacy to do it. Confession is necessary, but that should be a given. My other best advice is to pray for other people often, especially those you would have otherwise lusted over. Bring yourself to feel pity and compassion for these people instead of lust. Think of their families, their parents, their children, their spiritual and sexual trauma.
After 35 years of masturbation, I have been free for 1 year. I know I didn't do it myself, but rather I experienced God's grace in confession 1 year ago.
congratulations! Be on guard, pray, keep practicing discipline in other ways too (food, drink, Phone, etc) because it comes out sideways sometimes with out recovery programs. God bless though, great work!
Yes there is freedom. After decades of slavery to pornography and masturbation, numerous confessions and nothing resolved, I went to confession to a priest who is an assistant to our Diocese's exorcist, who is also our parish priest. He went through my childhood wounds and prayed with me. After that confession, the urge, the attraction to those sins just went away. Totally and completely. Years later, I still praise God for this healing and I am still awed by the ease with which I was healed with that particular Confession.
I am also decades in addiction to pornography ang masturbation, and I am a homosexual too. Countless rosaries and many confessions I did, though it helped me not get worse, but it still hadn't totally rid of the addiction. Please let me know how the exorcist priest performed that one CONFESSION that completely erases your urges?😢😢😢
@@newellcornesio428 I suggest that you look for the exorcist in your diocese. Ask him or any in his team for help, so they can go to the root of your addiction and homosexuality, perhaps the wounds or curse that worsens it. I will be praying for you...
That’s amazing! Jesus is the healer, it’s not the priest! Make no mistake about that. I’m sure you understand this concept but maybe others reading this, don’t. Blessings! ❤😊
@@newellcornesio428you need to fast and fast hard! Take full control of your flesh and go to confession every time you slip backwards and DO NOT take communion with Christ. Know you have excommunicated yourself
I've been free from the sin of masturbation for almost 4 years now, so hearing Chris's testimony was such a blessing and has motivated me to continue on this path.
The genitalia have more than one purpose. We can happily have orgasm many more times in life than would be necessary just to reproduce. In the absence of a suitable partner, reducing an unpleasant tension and enjoying the concomitant natural satisfaction through auto-eroticism makes good sense. What is "selfish" about that? People in the presence of a suitable partner (and good contraception) would be quite willing to share the pleasure ceteris paribus.
Masturbation is a wicked slavery. I was in its grips. One day when the urge came and I knew I didn’t want to fall again I literally grabbed my keys, ran to my car, and drove to Eucharistic Adoration. I cried. I said The Rosary. I was calmed and released by God’s love. I never have volunteered for the hellish torture of masturbation addiction again. My efforts go to staying close to Jesus and Mary Who protect me. I am afraid not to cling to them. Freedom from masturbation has never left me since I begged for divine help. Praise the Lord. ✝️❤️🙏🌷
@@IAMJ1B, addiction is the satanic deception that I need what I am addicted to. God is all I need. There is no regret in basking in God’s shelter from addiction to anything. ✝️🙏❤️👍🙂
@@IAMJ1B, addiction is the work of satan; don’t kid yourself. Yes, it is my choice whether I succumb to evil influences rather than Divine Grace but the spiritual battle over souls is real. ✝️🙏
@@traditionalgirl3943 We are not talking about addiction but masturbation. Your addiction can't make anything sinful. Not everybody is as u. Your main comment is invalid
@@amandadelassus2128 lol, that is accurate and fair, but my point still remains. The mouth is designed for many purposes, not only one. To say that it is only for one would not be biblical or correct.
Im 20 and been struggling with this since 5th grade. These last 2 years I've been really fighting for virtue. It's been amazing to see how God's grace delivers me from my lust. I still struggle and fall, but from where I was to where I am now is truly a testament to the transformative nature of grace.
You have testosterone, you will have a sex drive. All of these Christian that condemn sexual desire are nuts! Don’t believe a word what this dude is saying. He’s been jacking it till he couldn’t get it up anymore.
truth If you are wondering about the question of whether your sexuality is a sin or not, I welcome you to consider the following thoughts for clarification. Let’s look at some basic fundamental facts based on extensive research & ongoing R&D. During fetal development a verity of biochemical agents are introduced which determine the development of the fetus. Major agents such as testosterone & estrogen & a host of others agents determine size, weight, hair color, eye color & sexuality along with a host of other traits. Variations in the amount & timing of the introduction of these agents have a major effect in our development. The fetus is a passive participant & has no influence in these matters. Sexuality, for example, & all other secondary traits are thus given to us. Well, this begs the question, is homosexuality a sin. If your religion or belief system states that it is, then there can be no argument. These are the rules based on this system’s dogma. If you accept this system, you must accept the rules. This is your only choice. If, however, you are in a belief system based on logic, reason, observation & common sense, the conclusion is totally different. Replacing ancient religion & mythology with reason leads to another conclusion. Leaving religions that use condemnation & ridicule for control, can be the first step in becoming a true human being minus any imposed or fabricated guilt. There exist many variations of human sexual expression. When you leave various ancient religious beliefs behind & chose knowledge based in research, you can see & understand the true nature of humanity. You leave ignorance, hatred, & prejudice behind. In the book Gay Straight & the Reason Why by Simon Levay PhD, explanations regarding this aspect of humanity are clearly explained & is based on research & not ancient text which had no benefit of understanding humanity. I highly recommend it. Being gay is no more of a sin than having red hair. They are both based on genetics & clearly not a sin. There is nothing wrong with you. This is the true choice. Peace
This is one of the most common sins, and if people are being honest, this video indicts most of us for having committed it. While it is tough to hear, it needs to be said and explained clearly. Thank you, Matt, for inviting Christopher on to explain things in such a lucid and undeniable fashion.
The damage is even worse if you look at the rabbithole of perversions that people follow into when pursuing porn over many years. The drive is natural and understandable and its so good to remind ourselves that there is a purpose connected to it. Im just getting interested in Christianity and I am very glad for the content you create. Thank you!
@@OmoplatatoGogoplataThank you some reminder of being just human..This video was shocking how it just wants to shame and put fear into its viewers.This does not mean go “M” crazy or go join a monastery..Just either way don’t go into extremes..So much fear giving in this world.!
Beautiful. Also gents pay attention to the second half as well, that it’s a life-long psychological healing towards giving of self. Marriage doesn’t fix the problem if you continue to view sexual desire within the framework of either gratifying yourself or denying yourself, the problem just changes and involves another person.
I still struggle from time to time. It’s the worst feeling in the world. I grew up addicted to masturbating all of my teenage years. I’ve always known and believed in God. But I never truly took it to heart. I’m in my 30s and the damage mastubation has had on my life has destroyed my relationships where I never found use in having a girlfriend because I could take care of myself. I now have come to a deep relationship with Christ, but from time to time I relapse not thinking of anything. I pray that God gives me the strength to beat this horrible addiction I grew up with. This is my darkest secret that I have never told anyone except God.
I recommend you confess to a preist he can help you, God wants us to open about our sin as it keeps one of us in check. Confessing a preist is in my opinion one of the best ways to do that
I don't struggle with masturbation. I struggle with anger. I'm angry all the time. I'm angry at traffic. I'm angry at my parents. I'm angry at my boss for giving others favoritism. I'm angry at my ex for cheating on me. I'm angry all the time now.
@@LaoSoftwarethe Rosary can help you brother. Trust me. You'll learn to control your temper when you pray to God for the grace of patience, through the Rosary and the Eucharist.
The sin I’ve been fighting with since I was 17 and now I’m 31. I know God will give the strength to overcome this nasty habit please pray for me and for all the young men out there that are in the same situation
Women are prisoners of this also. Not just men. Temptation of lust is so complex especially when you’ve been seeking a husband and haven’t found him. 😢
If that's you in your profile you are beautiful woman,,, you will meet your husband someday,,,of course women have this problem,,,, My problem was it lead me to have sex with countless people,,I even was in orgy's with swingers,,,,, what is helping me now is boxing and kickboxing,, weights,,,I've very high testosterone levels so it's hard not to masterbate,,,, but I do pray all time and mass every week which really helps,,,,also stopped drinking ,,,drink always made me do it every time,,,so dontt be to hard on your self and pray,,,,,god bless
Awesome, this posted right after a night of having to resort to dispassionate masturbation... pesky bugger ruined a few months abstinence streak after being addicted to porn prior to converting to Christ 5 months ago. I'm not sure if what I did was the best way to deal with the situation, but I'm confident through more prayer and submission to the HS I'll become more resilient. Praise the Lord!
@NeoMo24, from experience of a 28 year addiction to Porn and Masturbatuon my desire for the above two left me this year after the following steps. 1) Confession of my sins, preferably monthly 2) Take Eucharist weekly in mass 3) Prayer the Rosary twice daily Blessings to you brother you can do this!
@@LectioDivina33for me, the eucharist has been the most powerful. Daily mass if possible. For some reason, I’ve never been seriously tempted on a day I received christ in this holy sacrament.
Thank you for this clear statement. I know so many Catholics who say otherwise and believe that it is not a sin. I asked my priest in confession and he also set my mind in the correct path. Very liberating.
"I asked my priest in confession" You mean you went to a priest to ask if it was OK to jerk off ??! You really have to be a little unbalanced to do something like that.
I think you're a Mexican mother? So is my mother and I'm her son. I told her I struggle with porn and masturbating. She said masturbating isn't sin so yes there's many Catholics that have wrong views of sex. She says masturbating is discovering oneself. But that's a load of crap. I'm 21. I always knew it is. But. I guess some satanic female preacher psychologist convinced her other.
Amen! Thank you Christopher West! Amen, there is Freedom! 🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼 I am a 50 year old woman and I share with my teens that we don’t want to spill our seeds everywhere by this sin. Impotence happens earlier and earlier now due to this sin. Prayers for all who have problems with this sin. Cry out to the Blessed Mother! She helps! 💙🙏🏼 Lord, Have Mercy On Us Sinners! 🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼
Impotence doesn't happen from masturbation. Impotence can happen from chronic porn use, where the person gets highly addicted to porn and masturbation together. Married men can fall into this trap, and often do now, where they can't even engage w/ their wives anymore. There's a number of neuro psychologists trying to address this issue, that's growing into like an epidemic w/ the internet making it too easy, for men to fall into this trap. I hear so many boys, even well before puberty too often get addicted to porn. I'm glad to hear that you are trying to warn your children of these pitfalls. Boys tend not to take it seriously. But if they saw the army of desperate comments I've seen on the porn addiction forums, where men are having to pay for expensive neuro therapy, they might think twice.
Actually you're right. Impotence and ED can happen from an addiction to masturbation. It doesn't have to include porn but typically it does. Blessings to you for warning your children.
It is true. I'm also learning a new path now. Married for almost 10 years, stopped masturbating four months ago after 20 years... I'm learning to love my wife. Thank you Lord that she is with me. And that You are with me.
Christopher's presence, experience, and words are EXACTLY what I'm used to in the Evangelical church. Actual death to sin. Actually experiencing new life in Christ that leads to real freedom in genuine righteousness through a personal experience with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I greatly admire and honor the Catholic Church. And hearing Christopher speak in a way that's so similar to myself and many other "evangelicals" is fascinating and intrigues me to see if this is more common than it seems.
I came because I fell and needed help I don't want to do this anymore. Very greatful for this video 🙏 encouragement, I will try this very greatful to speak about this
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified by immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety, or other psychological or social forces.
In my 30’s I’ve found my main struggle with masturbation manifests in my felt hopelessness for finding and creating a successful committed, monogamous, loving companionship and marriage.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata no, that’s.. not what they’re saying. A dedication to God is individual. Despite the urges of our flesh it is our job to abstain. We obviously make mistakes. That’s why we confess and ask for forgiveness from God.
Some type of sexual sin or sin of despair is inevitable during a long period of singleness. There's a biological, sexual, romantic, emotional, and spiritual desire for another person. To overcome the sin, one must address all...5 facets that I mentioned. An uphill battle for sure. Find a forgiving yet real confessor, not one that assumes the worst.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplataYou are clearly looking for an out that doesn't exist. Jesus didn't speak of many things that were obvious sins, both then and now. Go find a man who is 100% happy about his masturbation habit...you won't find one. There are many sexual sins, this is just one. If you don't believe in God, however, then who cares, right? And if that's your belief, then....you're obviously in the right place. You think this is a coincidence? God bless you.
Lust is a very powerful temptation and a really addictive sin... everybody knows masturbation is wrong but they try and find any excuse and explanation for it not to be, because as you said it's so pleasurable and the western society push on it too! Resist it at all costs in the name of Jesus
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata you can't commit a sin even for a better outcome. Not to mention there are other lifestyle changes that can be made to lower that risk.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata I bet if you do research, you can find studies that show it's not healthy. But say for argument sake, it is healthy. You still can't commit a sin because it's "healthy". In place of masterbation, change your diet and that's healthier than masterbation.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata actually you're the one tying to justify a mortal sin because some studies claim it's healthy while others say it's not. You want to justify mortal sin which boils down to pleasure instead of changing your diet to achieve the same outcome.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata not to mention you want to try and justify physical health with competing studies so pro some against. What about spiritual health and sins of the flesh...
Hello, West and Fradd. I love both your content, and I would love for you to have Professor Plink as a guest sometime. I think his arguments for atheism are convincing and a conversation with him would be really fruitfull. God bless!
After doing the act when I was younger I prayed to God to send me a punishment to help me break free from this. That punishment came within 7 days and I was able to let it gon
Amazing praise God for his willingness to sacrifice. This answers the question I had for so long being married and feeling used at times. Feeling like sex shouldn't be more important than Love. I felt like I was heading towards divorce because of lack of sex but if one feels that way how will one want to have it, it's so much pressure to please one but not the other. It's a give and take, respecting and loving one another for things to work. Thank you Lord for sending me this msg.❤❤
As someone who feels like an addict for many years, I’m now 36 days clean from this, and I hope and pray to God to overcome and be freed from this awful temptation. A few confessions have made me rethink of many things, and how to take an alternative road instead of the one road I would take that would lead me to a downhill. This sin has done nothing but brought shame, guilt, and disgust to myself. Being free from this (so far) has shed a light in me and have given me hope for a new beginning, a new way to love and respect myself, and remain hopeful and faithful to God.
I've struggled with it most of my life too. Confession after confession. Usually can't last more than 3 weeks but after seeing this , it somehow feels different. I love God more than I love the sin. Maybe that's how you walk away
My greatest sin and temptation i struggle with. I go to confession for it a lot because of this sin. Please pray for me that I can overcome this evil sin ❤️✝️
I absolutely LOVE your channel! This was however, the most profound message I'veever received thus far and could/should/will be put to use for ANY temptation. Thank you and thank You God!
As a man fighting to escape a decade-long porn addiction, self-pleasure is mentally exhausting, physically draining, and spiritually unfulfilling. Adding porn only makes it even more addictive. Take the Apostle Paul’s advice and flee sexual immorality. You don’t want to go through what I’ve gone through. God be with all of you.
I found a quote from Gregory the Great about 'immoderate intercourse'. It starts off by saying, "The married must be admonished to bear in mind that they are united in wedlock for the purpose of procreation", then goes on to say, "when they abandon themselves to immoderate intercourse, they transfer the occasion of procreation to the service of pleasure. Let them realize that though they do not then pass beyond the bonds of wedlock…". Taking the negatives out, note that Pope Gregory the Great is saying sex for pleasure is legitimately within marriage. To say something is bad because you enjoy it is not Catholic or Christian - food is to be enjoyed. We see Gregory the Great opposing theologians tying onto men's backs undue burdens.
I was introduced to adult media when I was 11-12. It warped my whole view of Women and the goodness of sex. It took yet gain true mastery of myself. I am indeed grateful to God for appropriate recovery groups. I now have long term recovery. Thanks be to God. Unfortunately most of my friends in recovery don't agree with my views on the holiness of sex and relationships. But we have to start somewhere.
yeah, right! hahaha With priests in gay relationships, and saying "eh, there's worse things" or "say three Hail Marys" .....not enough. It falls under addictions and so Catholics in Recovery is better.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn you should probably rethink the deeply uncharitable thing you wrote here. Discouraging people from receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation is a bad avenue to go down. You can advocate for recovery programs without engaging in derision of sacramental grace, pastoral guidance or clergy in general.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn 1. Are you accusing all priests of being gay? 2. Depends which priests you're talking about, in terms of whether they will take a strong stance on sin 3. Confession has a healing effect, distinct from whatever the priest is up to. I can attest to its help in my cessation of masturbation and pornography.
It is possible to be free. Thank God He showed love and mercy to me on the time I don't deserve it the most. It has been 3-4 years now since I last masturbated. I still have other struggles now but God loves us and He is our help. I pray for you my brothers and sisters and please pray for me too. And remember when you fall, get up quickly instead of beating yourself go to God even if you don't feel like to. We are His beloved and He wants to be with us till eternity.
Get absorbed in something other than yourself. Get a cause, be a crusader in an organization. Wrap yourself in time consuming causes. Exert that energy into a wholesome life of giving.
I've been free from porn/masturbation addiction for over 15 years because of God and in large part JP2 and CWest. He gave me the "why" behind the Church's "what ." For full disclosure and honesty...I'm still impacted by those past sins. They have impacted my marriage. Thankfully God has been guiding us for almost 15 years of marriage.
@@Grokford How can I answer this somewhat briefly...ok... regularly masturbating (usually to porn) got me in the habit of seeking sexual pleasure at the expense of someone else. I was putting pleasure at the top my my hierarchy (rather than love or relationship). So, I was using the people in the porn as a means to an end. And, even though thankfully I stopped masturbating prior to marriage, I still fight the urge to put pleasure as the main goal. Pleasure is good, but not at the top. To be more specific and trying not to get too personal...I could take those habits of masturbation/porn and bring that mindset to my marriage. So, in the sexual context, coming together with my wife could be like masturbating with her body, rather than my hand. JP2 talks about this in Love & Responsibility. Even though you have the grace of the sacrament of marriage, that doesn't mean you can't still use your wife. Also, some of the images from years ago are still in my mind and can re-appear in a sexual context. Maybe they will be there forever. Finally, I think my past sins have trained me to always associate touch with sex. One of my wife's love languages is physical touch (not only in sexual contexts)...but I have a hard time simply cuddling (for instance) unless it's connected with sex. I believe this is at least in part bc of masturbation/porn training me to divorce the body from the soul.
My father told me growing up it is not the act that is the problem. The problem is the sin in the act itself. Its a loss of control, its giving into lust. If you could masturbate without lust it wouldnt be an issue, but you simply cant because sexual gratification is a lustful act. I never really understood the wisdom of that until 13 years after the conversation but he was right. It is one of my hardest temptations to overcome on my journey back to God.
West and I have grown up together- I'm 53 years old and have gone to 5 different talks/conferences he gave on Theology of the Body. There are few people who mean as much to me as he does, although he doesn't know me
It was not by chance that I came across this feed. I have been a slave to this sin as far back as I can remember. But I am crying to HIM to free me from this sin. It is a struggle and I stumble every on some occasions. But I know Gos will not abandon me to wallow in it. Everyday I read on God's Words. I constatntly pray to Him for guidance and deliverance trusting that one day, by His grace, I will be completely free.
Very well put, including some practical advice. However it is extremely difficult to tell a teenager just discovering this pleasure that it is wrong. After several years of engaging in this practice, a person should himself feel it is not the right thing to do, and then he will be able to, through self control, reduce it greatly or stop it altogether. Under no circumstances should the person be condemned as committing a great sin.
"However it is extremely difficult to tell a teenager just discovering this pleasure that it is wrong." Because pleasure isn't wrong, condemnation of pleasure is usually just puritanism if not a cult-like mentality. "After several years of engaging in this practice, a person should himself feel it is not the right thing to do, and then he will be able to" In my experience shame is not an emotion that can survie experience.
Love the great advice to desist from sin, we offer it as a sacrament at the altar. Once married, as the bible tells us, with the sacrament of marriage , my body became that of my husband and vice versa. Thus if i selfishly masterbated i stole from him. Our body is also the temple in which we receive true presence of Our Lord at Holy communion, so the less vices in it and done with my body the more I guess God wants to reside in me. Disordered or selfish sex is just habit, a practice, certainly not fulfilling what it was designed for. This lovely honest mans got me thinking we shouldnt just kneejerk into things but think of the consequences and God intention why He blessed us with our bodies,minds and the people around us.
Didn’t Whitney once said : .. “ Because the greatest love of all Is happening to me I found the greatest love of all Inside of me The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve Learning to love yourself It is the greatest love of all”
I will openly admit one of the biggest barriers between God and myself is self pleasure. Whether masturbation or drugs and alcohol. It is a tough thing to break, pleasing self.
That's why we're to meant to break it ourselves! Sadly, most people *(well, especially minority groups) don't seek help. With humility, EVERYTHING is easier. "Catholics in recovery," groups like Theology of the Body, friends for accountability (hard to find). God bless you and I hope and will pray you find a way with others to help you. It's about addictions and if we don't work on that part, it will manifest in ANY way -sex drugs, alcohol, food, bulimia, anger, etc.
I do agree and really like this teaching, but here's a nuance. What if I'm not habitually masturbating, but feel like I need to every once in a while because it helps bring release and relief from stress, and it genuinely doesn't hamper my ability to love and be giving to another human being, nor does it make me view another person as an instrument to please me?
Interesting and it got me curious to ask you. He used the word ‘programming’ and ‘reprogramming’. Do you think one can be in total control of whether they just want a release/relief or they are loving another person through the same act? I personally think it is possible as long as one hasn’t reached the addiction stage. What do you think?
@@placidehabineza982 I personally think it's possible. Maybe it's why the Bible doesn't condemn it in uncertain terms like murder and it leaves us to figure it out personally with God? Also, genitals aren't just for generation, for men it's also a pathway to get rid of liquid waste 🤣🤣🤣 But I think for most people, masturbation is associated with unholy thoughts which I why I appreciated this video.
I used to think if I only did it as stress release while not having lustful thoughts and not looking at porn maybe it was ok. Still feels dirty and wrong. I think it’s not necessarily about lust only it’s about doing the act meant for spouses to share on one’s own.
The idea that masturbation prevents you from being a Loving or complete person is almost entirely made up. They're either inventing things or projecting.
Sex is not about love, intimacy, pleasure, or procreation. It is about worship. Either you worship God or the image of God you are. If you seek first the Kingdom of God and worship God, love intimacy, pleasure, and children will be added to you.
masturbation can be seen as a form of worship.. ur making a sacrifice to a woman u masturbate to, a burned offering without expected reciprocation indeed in knowledge of the utter absence of reciprocation.. it is a great homage a man can give to a woman.. an act not directed towards subjugating her to reproduction or even being affirmed via her recognition of myself.. a pure surplus, a gratuitous act.. a holy, worshipful act..
let's strive forward when we fail. Keep going, you got this to beat it. Confession, weekly mass , pray the rosary, remove all subsciptions to nextflix, get busy with work, hobbies and life and don't let shame when you fall, stop you from trying to beat the habit. We got this!!!
AND a recovery program because it's not enough. No need for Netflix.....the damn smart device, images on FB, shorts, etc....guys are very visual and they are usually weaker but today, every one is depressed and lonely (big picture). I agree with what you say but it's a over simplification to people in addiction which is 99% of people
I never have thought to open my arms like Jesus did on the cross. It’s the perfect posture! It keeps your hands away from yourself while also giving yourself up for others in a sacrificial love.
Masturbation is universal. The Christian Psychologist James Dobson talks about this in that almost every young boy he counseled confessed to masturbation. The argument that masturbation is a selfish act I never bought as a valid moral argument simply because we use other parts of our bodies to in engage in pleasure. For instance, the hands and arms are used for work or completing many different types of tasks. So, is itself self-indulgent to use them to box, play golf? The problem with masturbation is the fantasy that is involved, which would be lust which Jesus forbids, "If you look at a woman with lust you've committed adultery with her in your heart."
"In what way, my brother, did you first lose your virginity ? By fornication, lawful wedlock, masturbation ["malakia"], or one of those sins which are against nature ["para phusin"] The way it is written, the first three are not against nature, including masturbation. (John Nesteutes (the Faster), was Patriarch of Constantinople 582-595. This is from a penitential usually ascribed to him.) Perhaps you can find and verify the above quote.
@@sarahk5921 Again, the problem with masturbation is that it involves lust and fantasy which Jesus specifically forbids. However, lust and fantasy is sin regardless if one masturbates or not. The root cause of the issue is lust. By the time someone masturbates, views porn, commits fornication or adultery the person was already dealing with passions. That's why Jesus said if you look at a woman with lust you've already committed adultery in your heart. The only way to combat any sin is by God's grace. Someone who just refrains from masturbation a Saint does not make.
Ive struggled with it for well over 35 years. Mega thousands of times. Whats worst, im a fall away Catholic. Im thinking about going back. At least as a practicing Catholic (although I never overcame it), I was on the road towards overcoming. Outside the church, I haven't even bothered trying, but i would like to go back, and get back on the road. Masterbation is a horrible thing. I can't even look an an attractive woman without desiring her. However, I want to get back on the road with the aide of the sacraments. Maybe there will be hope for me.
Attraction, masturbation, lust.. these are all normal and healthy impulses. Don't let the shame invented by humans be the thing that keeps you from the relationship with God that you want.
Questions: Does what you say also apply to the “female masturbation”? Also, do you have a forum I can go to so I can ask more questions. I’m extremely interested in the Cristian perspective of life in general and I don’t think I can fit all my questions in a single UA-cam comment.
I can't speak on his behalf, but having read the Catechism (and a lifelong Catholic) yes, it does. But for some reason it seems only discussed from one side.
Yes - just because the fluids are different, it's the same mentality and effects spiritually and psychologically. Only main difference is, with males, it's USUALLY prompted by porn. Women don't usually use porn to masturbate.
If i were married this would be encouraging. Or potentially going to be married. But I'm gay and have no physical intimacy with anyone. I don't even get hugs from people anymore.
Wow! Inspirational. I didn't know CW was the same age as me! Let's just say, my point of decision has been a lot later in life! And, my history with... that... goes back way before 13! But it does feel like a death. And, at my age, I have no guarantee of any resurrection. But it has to be done. I'm being called to deeper commitment to God, including spiritual warfare, and this has - to - go.
ST POPE JOHN PAUL II: By forgiving his executioners, Jesus showed he is not the accuser of the guilty but rather their advocate and intercessor. Jesus’ words of forgiveness - “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” - were spoken in circumstances of the greatest hatred and cruelty. Jesus forgives His adversaries immediately, even as their hostility continues. Jesus is the defender, not the accuser of the guilty, because He knows that many can be less guilty than it appears, or one thinks. For this reason, he taught his followers not to judge others. The mercy Jesus asked for His executioners is extended to all humanity.
Im 44 and single! I struggle with masturbation and lust. DUH LOL! This issue has always pissed me off. Im probably never going to get married. So WTH DO I DO!? Never experience pleasure? This is all just so frustrating
@@whatever1068 there are 0 cal sweeteners. That would be faking nutritional value to the brain - seeking sweetness without the natural purpose of tasting sweetness. Thus similar to contraception imo.
I relapsed last night and emailed my priest if he was available to meet with me for confession prior to the 6:30am Mass so I could receive the Eucharist. He graciously accepted my request. I feel rejuvenated and am hoping that moving forward the temptation to indulge in this mortal sin is overpowered by the wisdom that recognizes that I must repent before receiving the LORD. It's just not worth it. I felt immense shame but in hindsight it was the good kind. But I never want to be put in that situation again. Please pray for me.
If you walk in the spirit you have hope but if you live in the flesh you won’t be able to stop. It’s that simple. Set up moral fences, ditch your tv and find accountability partners and you will have victory🙌🙏🏻
I was a porn addict. On my first try abstaining I did no fap for a month straight and I felt like I won tje lottery 😄. 54 yrS old No fap since 19 🤯. Monk level unlocked!
Congratulations and God bless. Are you married or single? Did you go for recovery for your addictions? Porn is a huge problem and most of us chase, catholic ladies are single because males are glued to screens and no longer have ability to love or be loved, pursue a woman, and fight for her. It's truly sad an frankly, scary.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn thank you and Godbless you too. Im already married. Early in marriage I thought it was ok, im not cheating, its just porn excuses etc. I realized this was a big mistake, it was consuming my soul. Thank God I was able to overcome lust. Mat 5 28 : But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Now, I dare not look at women even on social media with lustful eyes and it helped me alot. Im now able to appreciate the true beauty of not just my wife but every woman I encounter. My daily rosaries really helped. Mama mary showed me how be a better man. Just for context, I was a lapsed cathlolic back then
This is a very difficult topic, but more important than most sins. Because its hidden and done in secret. Im so glad to see this being discussed openly. Im probably the worst case here. 60 years addicted to this guilt ridden mortal sin. Confession after Confession. A priest once told me that its how it makes you feel afterwards. Its lent, and i need to repent repent. Thankyou for this video.
Hearing Christopher West say that he has been free from the sin of masturbation since he was twenty years old gives me so much hope and motivation, since I myself am currently 19, soon to be 20. God bless!
Good luck soldier 🫡
Dude, let me tell u this brother, pls start praying the rosary daily. I’m 18 and been struggling and failing to overcome it on my own since 12/13 now. It’s been 2-3 weeks of consistent praying of the holy rosary and I tell u it helps so much. When they say it’s the most powerful spiritual weapon, they do not lie. I tested it and i now believe.
Similar situation here, Im 20 right now but it wasn't until a few months ago that I no longer wanted lust to dominate over my life anymore. Lots of things went into fighting it (and still am), but here are some stuff that helped me. I am more than happy to share more of my experience with anyone who reads this , but I will make it short for now.
Going to confession, Avoiding triggers, Praying and making it a routine, Learning just how horrible Lust is and its negative effects on myself and those around me, Having a prayer ready for whenever temptations come, Avoiding idleness. And the most important one for me was relying only in God. I attempted to stop on my own many times but would always fail. Sometimes lasting only 1-2 days but ever since I started asking God for strength and seeking him, I have slowly been able to detach myself from Lust. Temptations still come, but having prayers ready and a fighting spirit really helps
Same as a comment above, the rosary has also done wonders for me as well regarding this issue
I'm 37. I was horribly addicted to the PMO cycle from 3rd grade to age 35. A daily rosary practice helps tremendously, so does being too busy to do it and not having enough privacy to do it.
Confession is necessary, but that should be a given.
My other best advice is to pray for other people often, especially those you would have otherwise lusted over. Bring yourself to feel pity and compassion for these people instead of lust. Think of their families, their parents, their children, their spiritual and sexual trauma.
After 35 years of masturbation, I have been free for 1 year. I know I didn't do it myself, but rather I experienced God's grace in confession 1 year ago.
Praise God! Praying for you!
Glory to God!
congratulations! Be on guard, pray, keep practicing discipline in other ways too (food, drink, Phone, etc) because it comes out sideways sometimes with out recovery programs. God bless though, great work!
beautiful...
If you didn't do it yourself it is not masturbation.
Yes there is freedom. After decades of slavery to pornography and masturbation, numerous confessions and nothing resolved, I went to confession to a priest who is an assistant to our Diocese's exorcist, who is also our parish priest. He went through my childhood wounds and prayed with me. After that confession, the urge, the attraction to those sins just went away. Totally and completely. Years later, I still praise God for this healing and I am still awed by the ease with which I was healed with that particular Confession.
I am also decades in addiction to pornography ang masturbation, and I am a homosexual too. Countless rosaries and many confessions I did, though it helped me not get worse, but it still hadn't totally rid of the addiction.
Please let me know how the exorcist priest performed that one CONFESSION that completely erases your urges?😢😢😢
@@newellcornesio428 I suggest that you look for the exorcist in your diocese. Ask him or any in his team for help, so they can go to the root of your addiction and homosexuality, perhaps the wounds or curse that worsens it. I will be praying for you...
Amen 🙏 Miracle of healing ❤
That’s amazing! Jesus is the healer, it’s not the priest! Make no mistake about that. I’m sure you understand this concept but maybe others reading this, don’t. Blessings! ❤😊
@@newellcornesio428you need to fast and fast hard! Take full control of your flesh and go to confession every time you slip backwards and DO NOT take communion with Christ. Know you have excommunicated yourself
I've been free from the sin of masturbation for almost 4 years now, so hearing Chris's testimony was such a blessing and has motivated me to continue on this path.
Ain’t nothing wrong with a little morning masterbation baby!
How old are you? Just curious. Serious question
@@far1809 I'm 31
The genitalia have more than one purpose. We can happily have orgasm many more times in life than would be necessary just to reproduce. In the absence of a suitable partner, reducing an unpleasant tension and enjoying the concomitant natural satisfaction through auto-eroticism makes good sense. What is "selfish" about that? People in the presence of a suitable partner (and good contraception) would be quite willing to share the pleasure ceteris paribus.
im 19 struggling with this for 7 years still going on how you get free
Masturbation is a wicked slavery. I was in its grips. One day when the urge came and I knew I didn’t want to fall again I literally grabbed my keys, ran to my car, and drove to Eucharistic Adoration. I cried. I said The Rosary. I was calmed and released by God’s love. I never have volunteered for the hellish torture of masturbation addiction again. My efforts go to staying close to Jesus and Mary Who protect me. I am afraid not to cling to them. Freedom from masturbation has never left me since I begged for divine help. Praise the Lord. ✝️❤️🙏🌷
Wait? So addiction made u regret not masturbation
@@IAMJ1B, addiction is the satanic deception that I need what I am addicted to. God is all I need. There is no regret in basking in God’s shelter from addiction to anything. ✝️🙏❤️👍🙂
@@traditionalgirl3943 Your addiction can't make anything satanic. If u get addicted, thats your problem, not that activity
@@IAMJ1B, addiction is the work of satan; don’t kid yourself. Yes, it is my choice whether I succumb to evil influences rather than Divine Grace but the spiritual battle over souls is real. ✝️🙏
@@traditionalgirl3943 We are not talking about addiction but masturbation. Your addiction can't make anything sinful. Not everybody is as u. Your main comment is invalid
This is the best explanation I've ever heard on this subject. Very well put, this subject should be taught just like this to children.
So what was your mouth made for?
100% agree
?
@@huntsman528 Nothing that involves you.
@@amandadelassus2128 lol, that is accurate and fair, but my point still remains. The mouth is designed for many purposes, not only one. To say that it is only for one would not be biblical or correct.
Im 20 and been struggling with this since 5th grade. These last 2 years I've been really fighting for virtue. It's been amazing to see how God's grace delivers me from my lust. I still struggle and fall, but from where I was to where I am now is truly a testament to the transformative nature of grace.
Your lust made it sin. Not it
You have testosterone, you will have a sex drive.
All of these Christian that condemn sexual desire are nuts!
Don’t believe a word what this dude is saying.
He’s been jacking it till he couldn’t get it up anymore.
truth If you are wondering about the question of whether your sexuality is a sin or not, I welcome you to consider the following thoughts for clarification. Let’s look at some basic fundamental facts based on extensive research & ongoing R&D. During fetal development a verity of biochemical agents are introduced which determine the development of the fetus. Major agents such as testosterone & estrogen & a host of others agents determine size, weight, hair color, eye color & sexuality along with a host of other traits. Variations in the amount & timing of the introduction of these agents have a major effect in our development. The fetus is a passive participant & has no influence in these matters. Sexuality, for example, & all other secondary traits are thus given to us. Well, this begs the question, is homosexuality a sin. If your religion or belief system states that it is, then there can be no argument. These are the rules based on this system’s dogma. If you accept this system, you must accept the rules. This is your only choice.
If, however, you are in a belief system based on logic, reason, observation & common sense, the conclusion is totally different. Replacing ancient religion & mythology with reason leads to another conclusion. Leaving religions that use condemnation & ridicule for control, can be the first step in becoming a true human being minus any imposed or fabricated guilt. There exist many variations of human sexual expression. When you leave various ancient religious beliefs behind & chose knowledge based in research, you can see & understand the true nature of humanity. You leave ignorance, hatred, & prejudice behind. In the book Gay Straight & the Reason Why by Simon Levay PhD, explanations regarding this aspect of humanity are clearly explained & is based on research & not ancient text which had no benefit of understanding humanity. I highly recommend it. Being gay is no more of a sin than having red hair. They are both based on genetics & clearly not a sin. There is nothing wrong with you. This is the true choice. Peace
This is one of the most common sins, and if people are being honest, this video indicts most of us for having committed it. While it is tough to hear, it needs to be said and explained clearly. Thank you, Matt, for inviting Christopher on to explain things in such a lucid and undeniable fashion.
Do u have wet dreams now!
Monkeys do it too. Can they sin or does it come natural to scratch that itch.
@@westerlywinds5684 They alsoeat rival monkeys babies. Looking to justify an act based on it existing in animals is not the way to do it.
@@rafal2959 okay, but what about ‘nocturnal emissions’. It comes naturally. There’s nothing a boy can prevent.
@@westerlywinds5684 Anything involuntary could never be a sin, right?
The damage is even worse if you look at the rabbithole of perversions that people follow into when pursuing porn over many years. The drive is natural and understandable and its so good to remind ourselves that there is a purpose connected to it. Im just getting interested in Christianity and I am very glad for the content you create. Thank you!
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata While they aren't the same, are either of them good?
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata I don't know about you but I do NOT have that issue. That sounds like an issue unrelated to masturbation.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplataThank you some reminder of being just human..This video was shocking how it just wants to shame and put fear into its viewers.This does not mean go “M” crazy or go join a monastery..Just either way don’t go into extremes..So much fear giving in this world.!
Beautiful. Also gents pay attention to the second half as well, that it’s a life-long psychological healing towards giving of self. Marriage doesn’t fix the problem if you continue to view sexual desire within the framework of either gratifying yourself or denying yourself, the problem just changes and involves another person.
Very true.
I still struggle from time to time. It’s the worst feeling in the world. I grew up addicted to masturbating all of my teenage years. I’ve always known and believed in God. But I never truly took it to heart. I’m in my 30s and the damage mastubation has had on my life has destroyed my relationships where I never found use in having a girlfriend because I could take care of myself. I now have come to a deep relationship with Christ, but from time to time I relapse not thinking of anything. I pray that God gives me the strength to beat this horrible addiction I grew up with. This is my darkest secret that I have never told anyone except God.
I recommend you confess to a preist he can help you, God wants us to open about our sin as it keeps one of us in check. Confessing a preist is in my opinion one of the best ways to do that
I don't struggle with masturbation. I struggle with anger. I'm angry all the time. I'm angry at traffic. I'm angry at my parents. I'm angry at my boss for giving others favoritism. I'm angry at my ex for cheating on me. I'm angry all the time now.
@@LaoSoftwarethe Rosary can help you brother. Trust me. You'll learn to control your temper when you pray to God for the grace of patience, through the Rosary and the Eucharist.
I was just like you until I started praying for the people who hurt me. It’s a game changer
Yes, the rosary sure helps me with my anger. In fact, I am much calmer now. Rarely raise my voice. Still have room to work though.
Christopher West has given the best explanation of the subject I've heard.
The sin I’ve been fighting with since I was 17 and now I’m 31. I know God will give the strength to overcome this nasty habit please pray for me and for all the young men out there that are in the same situation
🙏
Women are prisoners of this also. Not just men. Temptation of lust is so complex especially when you’ve been seeking a husband and haven’t found him. 😢
When it is not a sin
@@JDfaith2024 Wow another late commentor. Its always amazing to see people like this
@@JDfaith2024 Is this rude 😂😂wow
Y did u deleted all
If that's you in your profile you are beautiful woman,,, you will meet your husband someday,,,of course women have this problem,,,, My problem was it lead me to have sex with countless people,,I even was in orgy's with swingers,,,,, what is helping me now is boxing and kickboxing,, weights,,,I've very high testosterone levels so it's hard not to masterbate,,,, but I do pray all time and mass every week which really helps,,,,also stopped drinking ,,,drink always made me do it every time,,,so dontt be to hard on your self and pray,,,,,god bless
Awesome, this posted right after a night of having to resort to dispassionate masturbation... pesky bugger ruined a few months abstinence streak after being addicted to porn prior to converting to Christ 5 months ago. I'm not sure if what I did was the best way to deal with the situation, but I'm confident through more prayer and submission to the HS I'll become more resilient. Praise the Lord!
Good luck, brother. May God bless your soul
”...Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
Go to confession and keep fighting with renewed determination. My prayers for you.
@NeoMo24, from experience of a 28 year addiction to Porn and Masturbatuon my desire for the above two left me this year after the following steps.
1) Confession of my sins, preferably monthly
2) Take Eucharist weekly in mass
3) Prayer the Rosary twice daily
Blessings to you brother you can do this!
@@LectioDivina33for me, the eucharist has been the most powerful. Daily mass if possible. For some reason, I’ve never been seriously tempted on a day I received christ in this holy sacrament.
@christsavesreadromans1096so I guess I'll confessed again.
Thank you for this clear statement. I know so many Catholics who say otherwise and believe that it is not a sin. I asked my priest in confession and he also set my mind in the correct path. Very liberating.
"I asked my priest in confession" You mean you went to a priest to ask if it was OK to jerk off ??! You really have to be a little unbalanced to do something like that.
I think you're a Mexican mother? So is my mother and I'm her son. I told her I struggle with porn and masturbating. She said masturbating isn't sin so yes there's many Catholics that have wrong views of sex. She says masturbating is discovering oneself. But that's a load of crap. I'm 21. I always knew it is. But. I guess some satanic female preacher psychologist convinced her other.
Amen! Thank you Christopher West! Amen, there is Freedom! 🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼
I am a 50 year old woman and I share with my teens that we don’t want to spill our seeds everywhere by this sin. Impotence happens earlier and earlier now due to this sin.
Prayers for all who have problems with this sin. Cry out to the Blessed Mother!
She helps! 💙🙏🏼
Lord, Have Mercy On Us Sinners!
🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼
Impotence doesn't happen from masturbation. Impotence can happen from chronic porn use, where the person gets highly addicted to porn and masturbation together. Married men can fall into this trap, and often do now, where they can't even engage w/ their wives anymore. There's a number of neuro psychologists trying to address this issue, that's growing into like an epidemic w/ the internet making it too easy, for men to fall into this trap. I hear so many boys, even well before puberty too often get addicted to porn. I'm glad to hear that you are trying to warn your children of these pitfalls. Boys tend not to take it seriously. But if they saw the army of desperate comments I've seen on the porn addiction forums, where men are having to pay for expensive neuro therapy, they might think twice.
Actually you're right. Impotence and ED can happen from an addiction to masturbation. It doesn't have to include porn but typically it does. Blessings to you for warning your children.
It is true. I'm also learning a new path now. Married for almost 10 years, stopped masturbating four months ago after 20 years... I'm learning to love my wife. Thank you Lord that she is with me. And that You are with me.
Masturbation stops loving. Thats weird
@@IAMJ1Bwhy are you on here!? These men are trying to better themselves and your just in here picking at them. Grow up
@@nicholasvgarcia Be majure
@@IAMJ1BYa loving is more than sex, I know it’s difficult
Thank you for your honesty. I knew that there are men who are married and … anyway, it could destroy marriages.
Most catholics don't take sex-related teachings seriously. The world has clearly won on these matters.
Actually, reason has won.
"Reason" for this world is pure crazyness for God, so we don't care.@@paulo7200
Sadly yes, and we can see the result of that, moral degeneracy that destroyed many relationships and families.
@@paulo7200 reason is changeable.
@paulo7200 it's the opposite of reason. Pathos won, Logos lost
Christopher's presence, experience, and words are EXACTLY what I'm used to in the Evangelical church. Actual death to sin. Actually experiencing new life in Christ that leads to real freedom in genuine righteousness through a personal experience with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
I greatly admire and honor the Catholic Church. And hearing Christopher speak in a way that's so similar to myself and many other "evangelicals" is fascinating and intrigues me to see if this is more common than it seems.
I came because I fell and needed help I don't want to do this anymore. Very greatful for this video 🙏 encouragement, I will try this very greatful to speak about this
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified by immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety, or other psychological or social forces.
True, but we have a higher calling to pursue which does not include that
which number, please?
Truth ...thank you Jesus for these 2 men sharing truths of our faith to help men & women find the freedom being sought!!❤🙏🙏🙏
In my 30’s I’ve found my main struggle with masturbation manifests in my felt hopelessness for finding and creating a successful committed, monogamous, loving companionship and marriage.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata no, that’s.. not what they’re saying. A dedication to God is individual. Despite the urges of our flesh it is our job to abstain. We obviously make mistakes. That’s why we confess and ask for forgiveness from God.
Some type of sexual sin or sin of despair is inevitable during a long period of singleness. There's a biological, sexual, romantic, emotional, and spiritual desire for another person. To overcome the sin, one must address all...5 facets that I mentioned. An uphill battle for sure. Find a forgiving yet real confessor, not one that assumes the worst.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata it sounds like you just want to find any excuse to indulge in the passions of the flesh and justify living in sin.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplataYou are clearly looking for an out that doesn't exist. Jesus didn't speak of many things that were obvious sins, both then and now.
Go find a man who is 100% happy about his masturbation habit...you won't find one. There are many sexual sins, this is just one.
If you don't believe in God, however, then who cares, right? And if that's your belief, then....you're obviously in the right place. You think this is a coincidence? God bless you.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata “My penis is more important than truth and salvation!”
Lust is a very powerful temptation and a really addictive sin... everybody knows masturbation is wrong but they try and find any excuse and explanation for it not to be, because as you said it's so pleasurable and the western society push on it too! Resist it at all costs in the name of Jesus
@@OmoplatatoGogoplatastop making this exact same reply to every comment. Masturbation is not healthy. At all. Ever.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata you can't commit a sin even for a better outcome. Not to mention there are other lifestyle changes that can be made to lower that risk.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata I bet if you do research, you can find studies that show it's not healthy. But say for argument sake, it is healthy. You still can't commit a sin because it's "healthy". In place of masterbation, change your diet and that's healthier than masterbation.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata actually you're the one tying to justify a mortal sin because some studies claim it's healthy while others say it's not. You want to justify mortal sin which boils down to pleasure instead of changing your diet to achieve the same outcome.
@@OmoplatatoGogoplata not to mention you want to try and justify physical health with competing studies so pro some against. What about spiritual health and sins of the flesh...
Thank you! That was best explanation I’ve ever heard and it makes so much sense. I pray to everyone struggling with this.
Hello, West and Fradd. I love both your content, and I would love for you to have Professor Plink as a guest sometime. I think his arguments for atheism are convincing and a conversation with him would be really fruitfull. God bless!
This is the best explanation I have ever heard explained as to why God does not want this for us. Thank you!
After doing the act when I was younger I prayed to God to send me a punishment to help me break free from this. That punishment came within 7 days and I was able to let it gon
Amazing praise God for his willingness to sacrifice. This answers the question I had for so long being married and feeling used at times. Feeling like sex shouldn't be more important than Love. I felt like I was heading towards divorce because of lack of sex but if one feels that way how will one want to have it, it's so much pressure to please one but not the other. It's a give and take, respecting and loving one another for things to work. Thank you Lord for sending me this msg.❤❤
As someone who feels like an addict for many years, I’m now 36 days clean from this, and I hope and pray to God to overcome and be freed from this awful temptation. A few confessions have made me rethink of many things, and how to take an alternative road instead of the one road I would take that would lead me to a downhill. This sin has done nothing but brought shame, guilt, and disgust to myself. Being free from this (so far) has shed a light in me and have given me hope for a new beginning, a new way to love and respect myself, and remain hopeful and faithful to God.
Good job, keep going. You can do it. Keep pray the rosary and adore God.
@@tonyale749 thank you! I am officially 75+ cleans, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself 😁
I've struggled with it most of my life too. Confession after confession. Usually can't last more than 3 weeks but after seeing this , it somehow feels different. I love God more than I love the sin. Maybe that's how you walk away
Agree. The way he explained it helps give a better understanding and new perspective. 🙏🏻
Then explain how it become a sin? Explain your reason of regret. Come on fast
@@JDfaith2024What made u regret
Just say no
LOVE GOD MORE!! Yess!!!
This is really nice to hear. This sin ultimately broke my boyfriend and I up, I hope he sees this and turns his life to God again
Pray for him.
54 years old and always been free from this wretched habit by the Grace of God.
You’re lucky thank God
I love the simple, clear, explanation all of which is so real. I wish I had heard this as a teenager myself.
God is merciful, Thanks be to God!
Wow I am amazed with this testimony from Christopher West!❤ Praise God!! 🙏
My greatest sin and temptation i struggle with. I go to confession for it a lot because of this sin. Please pray for me that I can overcome this evil sin ❤️✝️
Masturbation is healthy and normal, it's not a major concern in most cases.
I absolutely LOVE your channel! This was however, the most profound message I'veever received thus far and could/should/will be put to use for ANY temptation. Thank you and thank You God!
As a man fighting to escape a decade-long porn addiction, self-pleasure is mentally exhausting, physically draining, and spiritually unfulfilling. Adding porn only makes it even more addictive. Take the Apostle Paul’s advice and flee sexual immorality. You don’t want to go through what I’ve gone through. God be with all of you.
i believe masturbation is a venial sin in men but when you add the perversion of porn and impure fantasies then you are into mortal sin territory.
I found a quote from Gregory the Great about 'immoderate intercourse'. It starts off by saying, "The married must be admonished to bear in mind that they are united in wedlock for the purpose of procreation", then goes on to say, "when they abandon themselves to immoderate intercourse, they transfer the occasion of procreation to the service of pleasure. Let them realize that though they do not then pass beyond the bonds of wedlock…".
Taking the negatives out, note that Pope Gregory the Great is saying sex for pleasure is legitimately within marriage. To say something is bad because you enjoy it is not Catholic or Christian - food is to be enjoyed.
We see Gregory the Great opposing theologians tying onto men's backs undue burdens.
Thank God for Divine Mercy and Grace. This feed came up while being tempted to be impure in thoughts and deeds.
I was introduced to adult media when I was 11-12. It warped my whole view of Women and the goodness of sex. It took yet gain true mastery of myself. I am indeed grateful to God for appropriate recovery groups. I now have long term recovery. Thanks be to God. Unfortunately most of my friends in recovery don't agree with my views on the holiness of sex and relationships. But we have to start somewhere.
IMHO Approach this clinically, medically and psychologically but not with guilt and shame of moralists.
Ya all of that is made up
This is best dealt with in Confession.
yeah, right! hahaha With priests in gay relationships, and saying "eh, there's worse things" or "say three Hail Marys" .....not enough. It falls under addictions and so Catholics in Recovery is better.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn categorizing it as addiction is to deny culpability. Be careful with that claim.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn you should probably rethink the deeply uncharitable thing you wrote here. Discouraging people from receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation is a bad avenue to go down. You can advocate for recovery programs without engaging in derision of sacramental grace, pastoral guidance or clergy in general.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn 1. Are you accusing all priests of being gay? 2. Depends which priests you're talking about, in terms of whether they will take a strong stance on sin 3. Confession has a healing effect, distinct from whatever the priest is up to. I can attest to its help in my cessation of masturbation and pornography.
You’re right but the catechism also says many people with this habit have reduced culpability due to many mitigating circumstances.
Cracking video. Spot on, brothers. You explained it so well.
Stupidity
It is possible to be free. Thank God He showed love and mercy to me on the time I don't deserve it the most. It has been 3-4 years now since I last masturbated. I still have other struggles now but God loves us and He is our help. I pray for you my brothers and sisters and please pray for me too. And remember when you fall, get up quickly instead of beating yourself go to God even if you don't feel like to. We are His beloved and He wants to be with us till eternity.
Get absorbed in something other than yourself. Get a cause, be a crusader in an organization. Wrap yourself in time consuming causes. Exert that energy into a wholesome life of giving.
amen brother!!
Thank you for this video, and all other related to this topic. I need to remember especially that last advice.
I've been free from porn/masturbation addiction for over 15 years because of God and in large part JP2 and CWest. He gave me the "why" behind the Church's "what ." For full disclosure and honesty...I'm still impacted by those past sins. They have impacted my marriage. Thankfully God has been guiding us for almost 15 years of marriage.
How has masturbation impacted your marriage?
@@Grokford How can I answer this somewhat briefly...ok... regularly masturbating (usually to porn) got me in the habit of seeking sexual pleasure at the expense of someone else. I was putting pleasure at the top my my hierarchy (rather than love or relationship). So, I was using the people in the porn as a means to an end. And, even though thankfully I stopped masturbating prior to marriage, I still fight the urge to put pleasure as the main goal. Pleasure is good, but not at the top. To be more specific and trying not to get too personal...I could take those habits of masturbation/porn and bring that mindset to my marriage. So, in the sexual context, coming together with my wife could be like masturbating with her body, rather than my hand. JP2 talks about this in Love & Responsibility. Even though you have the grace of the sacrament of marriage, that doesn't mean you can't still use your wife.
Also, some of the images from years ago are still in my mind and can re-appear in a sexual context. Maybe they will be there forever.
Finally, I think my past sins have trained me to always associate touch with sex. One of my wife's love languages is physical touch (not only in sexual contexts)...but I have a hard time simply cuddling (for instance) unless it's connected with sex. I believe this is at least in part bc of masturbation/porn training me to divorce the body from the soul.
My father told me growing up it is not the act that is the problem. The problem is the sin in the act itself. Its a loss of control, its giving into lust. If you could masturbate without lust it wouldnt be an issue, but you simply cant because sexual gratification is a lustful act. I never really understood the wisdom of that until 13 years after the conversation but he was right. It is one of my hardest temptations to overcome on my journey back to God.
West and I have grown up together- I'm 53 years old and have gone to 5 different talks/conferences he gave on Theology of the Body. There are few people who mean as much to me as he does, although he doesn't know me
That tip to overcome at the end of the video is great! It’s good for women too.
Im proud roman catholic im watching from phillipines.
Same
It was not by chance that I came across this feed. I have been a slave to this sin as far back as I can remember. But I am crying to HIM to free me from this sin. It is a struggle and I stumble every on some occasions. But I know Gos will not abandon me to wallow in it. Everyday I read on God's Words. I constatntly pray to Him for guidance and deliverance trusting that one day, by His grace, I will be completely free.
Very well put, including some practical advice. However it is extremely difficult to tell a teenager just discovering this pleasure that it is wrong. After several years of engaging in this practice, a person should himself feel it is not the right thing to do, and then he will be able to, through self control, reduce it greatly or stop it altogether. Under no circumstances should the person be condemned as committing a great sin.
How? Explain it if u have nuts
@@IAMJ1B by the tail of the cow 😂😂😂😂
@@patnathan5013 Holy cow
"However it is extremely difficult to tell a teenager just discovering this pleasure that it is wrong."
Because pleasure isn't wrong, condemnation of pleasure is usually just puritanism if not a cult-like mentality.
"After several years of engaging in this practice, a person should himself feel it is not the right thing to do, and then he will be able to"
In my experience shame is not an emotion that can survie experience.
correct, at the most it's a venial sin in these circumstances
I’ve thought sexual ethics and TOB for years….this is absolutely the best summary you will hear.
Summary I could believe, but it's not a very good defense.
Love the great advice to desist from sin, we offer it as a sacrament at the altar. Once married, as the bible tells us, with the sacrament of marriage , my body became that of my husband and vice versa. Thus if i selfishly masterbated i stole from him. Our body is also the temple in which we receive true presence of Our Lord at Holy communion, so the less vices in it and done with my body the more I guess God wants to reside in me. Disordered or selfish sex is just habit, a practice, certainly not fulfilling what it was designed for. This lovely honest mans got me thinking we shouldnt just kneejerk into things but think of the consequences and God intention why He blessed us with our bodies,minds and the people around us.
Wow. That's amazing that he overcame this habit. Wow. God is real!!!
Gracias a la traducción que ofrece UA-cam puedo entender y comentar que le agradezco haber tenido este invitado y todo lo que se comento es estupendo.
Didn’t Whitney once said : .. “ Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all”
Thank you so much for having explained the Catholic Perspective of this sin. God Bless you!
I will openly admit one of the biggest barriers between God and myself is self pleasure. Whether masturbation or drugs and alcohol.
It is a tough thing to break, pleasing self.
That's why we're to meant to break it ourselves! Sadly, most people *(well, especially minority groups) don't seek help. With humility, EVERYTHING is easier. "Catholics in recovery," groups like Theology of the Body, friends for accountability (hard to find). God bless you and I hope and will pray you find a way with others to help you. It's about addictions and if we don't work on that part, it will manifest in ANY way -sex drugs, alcohol, food, bulimia, anger, etc.
And a lot of people don’t realize food is a form of self pleasure. Look at all the obese people. They use food to satisfy as well
Masturbation is prideful and selfish. It's so obvious, yet, I've never seen it before 🤯
Brilliant share thank you sir and there is no freedom from this sin without Christ if we ask him for it!!
I do agree and really like this teaching, but here's a nuance. What if I'm not habitually masturbating, but feel like I need to every once in a while because it helps bring release and relief from stress, and it genuinely doesn't hamper my ability to love and be giving to another human being, nor does it make me view another person as an instrument to please me?
Interesting and it got me curious to ask you. He used the word ‘programming’ and ‘reprogramming’. Do you think one can be in total control of whether they just want a release/relief or they are loving another person through the same act? I personally think it is possible as long as one hasn’t reached the addiction stage. What do you think?
@@placidehabineza982 I personally think it's possible. Maybe it's why the Bible doesn't condemn it in uncertain terms like murder and it leaves us to figure it out personally with God? Also, genitals aren't just for generation, for men it's also a pathway to get rid of liquid waste 🤣🤣🤣 But I think for most people, masturbation is associated with unholy thoughts which I why I appreciated this video.
I used to think if I only did it as stress release while not having lustful thoughts and not looking at porn maybe it was ok. Still feels dirty and wrong. I think it’s not necessarily about lust only it’s about doing the act meant for spouses to share on one’s own.
The idea that masturbation prevents you from being a Loving or complete person is almost entirely made up.
They're either inventing things or projecting.
thank you so much! very helpful & the best explanation on this topic I've heard!!
Sex is not about love, intimacy, pleasure, or procreation. It is about worship. Either you worship God or the image of God you are. If you seek first the Kingdom of God and worship God, love intimacy, pleasure, and children will be added to you.
masturbation can be seen as a form of worship.. ur making a sacrifice to a woman u masturbate to, a burned offering without expected reciprocation indeed in knowledge of the utter absence of reciprocation.. it is a great homage a man can give to a woman.. an act not directed towards subjugating her to reproduction or even being affirmed via her recognition of myself.. a pure surplus, a gratuitous act.. a holy, worshipful act..
Sex is for bonding and babies. It's black and white in the Bible - "be fruitful and multiply"....right out the gate, your message is wrong.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn Indeed. Go forth and multiply is what I call the first pyramid scheme.
let's strive forward when we fail. Keep going, you got this to beat it. Confession, weekly mass , pray the rosary, remove all subsciptions to nextflix, get busy with work, hobbies and life and don't let shame when you fall, stop you from trying to beat the habit. We got this!!!
AND a recovery program because it's not enough. No need for Netflix.....the damn smart device, images on FB, shorts, etc....guys are very visual and they are usually weaker but today, every one is depressed and lonely (big picture). I agree with what you say but it's a over simplification to people in addiction which is 99% of people
I think it is easier for females.
I never have thought to open my arms like Jesus did on the cross. It’s the perfect posture! It keeps your hands away from yourself while also giving yourself up for others in a sacrificial love.
Thank God for good and holy Christians! Thank God for sound catechesis! Thank you for your message.
Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Masturbation is universal. The Christian Psychologist James Dobson talks about this in that almost every young boy he counseled confessed to masturbation. The argument that masturbation is a selfish act I never bought as a valid moral argument simply because we use other parts of our bodies to in engage in pleasure. For instance, the hands and arms are used for work or completing many different types of tasks. So, is itself self-indulgent to use them to box, play golf?
The problem with masturbation is the fantasy that is involved, which would be lust which Jesus forbids, "If you look at a woman with lust you've committed adultery with her in your heart."
"In what way, my brother, did you first lose your virginity ? By fornication, lawful wedlock, masturbation ["malakia"], or one of those sins which are against nature ["para phusin"]
The way it is written, the first three are not against nature, including masturbation. (John Nesteutes (the Faster), was Patriarch of Constantinople 582-595. This is from a penitential usually ascribed to him.)
Perhaps you can find and verify the above quote.
@@sarahk5921 Again, the problem with masturbation is that it involves lust and fantasy which Jesus specifically forbids. However, lust and fantasy is sin regardless if one masturbates or not. The root cause of the issue is lust. By the time someone masturbates, views porn, commits fornication or adultery the person was already dealing with passions. That's why Jesus said if you look at a woman with lust you've already committed adultery in your heart. The only way to combat any sin is by God's grace. Someone who just refrains from masturbation a Saint does not make.
Bro the reason masturbation is bad is because it makes you go blind.
I would argue that fantasy is not forbidden or a problem, but rather non-consensual objectification.
Profound.
Well explained
Thank you Jesus, 🙌 Praise you Jesus 🙌
Ive struggled with it for well over 35 years. Mega thousands of times. Whats worst, im a fall away Catholic. Im thinking about going back. At least as a practicing Catholic (although I never overcame it), I was on the road towards overcoming. Outside the church, I haven't even bothered trying, but i would like to go back, and get back on the road. Masterbation is a horrible thing. I can't even look an an attractive woman without desiring her. However, I want to get back on the road with the aide of the sacraments. Maybe there will be hope for me.
Come back! 🙏
Come home :) you can beat this.
All the best
Start go to Traditional Latin Mass.
Attraction, masturbation, lust.. these are all normal and healthy impulses.
Don't let the shame invented by humans be the thing that keeps you from the relationship with God that you want.
May God bless you and keep you always in his care.
You shall be holy, for I'm holy, says the Lord God of Hosts
Inspiring.. i'll try that too.. please pray for me.. lifelong battle is not easy.. 🙏🏽
I needed that. God bless.
Questions: Does what you say also apply to the “female masturbation”?
Also, do you have a forum I can go to so I can ask more questions. I’m extremely interested in the Cristian perspective of life in general and I don’t think I can fit all my questions in a single UA-cam comment.
I can't speak on his behalf, but having read the Catechism (and a lifelong Catholic) yes, it does. But for some reason it seems only discussed from one side.
Mike winger has 20 questions with mike on his channel. He's protestant but will overlap with a lot of what you hear here.
Yes - just because the fluids are different, it's the same mentality and effects spiritually and psychologically. Only main difference is, with males, it's USUALLY prompted by porn. Women don't usually use porn to masturbate.
Of course it does. It goes without saying.
@@HIMYMTRHow. Explain it properly
Beautiful!
All of God’s laws are in essence a reflection of design law, and this brother has described the sexual manifestation of it so well.
If i were married this would be encouraging. Or potentially going to be married. But I'm gay and have no physical intimacy with anyone. I don't even get hugs from people anymore.
remember God's divine mercy.
Wow! Inspirational.
I didn't know CW was the same age as me! Let's just say, my point of decision has been a lot later in life! And, my history with... that... goes back way before 13!
But it does feel like a death. And, at my age, I have no guarantee of any resurrection. But it has to be done. I'm being called to deeper commitment to God, including spiritual warfare, and this has - to - go.
ST POPE JOHN PAUL II: By forgiving his executioners, Jesus showed he is not the accuser of the guilty but rather their advocate and intercessor. Jesus’ words of forgiveness - “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” - were spoken in circumstances of the greatest hatred and cruelty.
Jesus forgives His adversaries immediately, even as their hostility continues.
Jesus is the defender, not the accuser of the guilty, because He knows that many can be less guilty than it appears, or one thinks. For this reason, he taught his followers not to judge others.
The mercy Jesus asked for His executioners is extended to all humanity.
Im 44 and single! I struggle with masturbation and lust. DUH LOL! This issue has always pissed me off. Im probably never going to get married. So WTH DO I DO!? Never experience pleasure? This is all just so frustrating
Praise God ,powerful testimony 🙏
This is the truth that EVERYONE, male and female needs to hear! Thank you for this video!
Can anyone debunk that artificial sweeteners should be prohibited on the same basis? Wanting the sweetness without the nutrition.
IM not 100% super but i dont think theres a nutritional difference between cane sugar and artificial sweeteners.
@@whatever1068 there are 0 cal sweeteners. That would be faking nutritional value to the brain - seeking sweetness without the natural purpose of tasting sweetness. Thus similar to contraception imo.
Excellent explanation! 💐
Wow. Great testimony. Im sharing this with everyone
6:20 Did he just channel Paul Hardcastle's "Nineteen"? Certified Gen X moment 😂
The guy started with hammer and screwdriver..interesting choice.of words😂
Freedom !
Cue Mel Gibson as Willian Wallace riding a horse as he yells this. ☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼
I relapsed last night and emailed my priest if he was available to meet with me for confession prior to the 6:30am Mass so I could receive the Eucharist. He graciously accepted my request. I feel rejuvenated and am hoping that moving forward the temptation to indulge in this mortal sin is overpowered by the wisdom that recognizes that I must repent before receiving the LORD. It's just not worth it. I felt immense shame but in hindsight it was the good kind. But I never want to be put in that situation again. Please pray for me.
Look to get bored of it brother. I sometimes imagine the sensation of the after effect--how depleted and empty I usually feel--and simply drop it.
Shame is a man-made feeling. Masturbation is normal and healthy. There is no reason to condemn yourself.
If you walk in the spirit you have hope but if you live in the flesh you won’t be able to stop. It’s that simple. Set up moral fences, ditch your tv and find accountability partners and you will have victory🙌🙏🏻
I was a porn addict. On my first try abstaining I did no fap for a month straight and I felt like I won tje lottery 😄. 54 yrS old No fap since 19 🤯. Monk level unlocked!
Congratulations and God bless. Are you married or single? Did you go for recovery for your addictions? Porn is a huge problem and most of us chase, catholic ladies are single because males are glued to screens and no longer have ability to love or be loved, pursue a woman, and fight for her. It's truly sad an frankly, scary.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn thank you and Godbless you too. Im already married. Early in marriage I thought it was ok, im not cheating, its just porn excuses etc. I realized this was a big mistake, it was consuming my soul. Thank God I was able to overcome lust. Mat 5 28 : But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Now, I dare not look at women even on social media with lustful eyes and it helped me alot. Im now able to appreciate the true beauty of not just my wife but every woman I encounter. My daily rosaries really helped. Mama mary showed me how be a better man. Just for context, I was a lapsed cathlolic back then
That's incredible...God bless you. Please pray for me.
Great presentation.
Bro had to pick the hammer metaphor for this topic?
This is a very difficult topic, but more important than most sins. Because its hidden and done in secret. Im so glad to see this being discussed openly. Im probably the worst case here. 60 years addicted to this guilt ridden mortal sin. Confession after Confession. A priest once told me that its how it makes you feel afterwards. Its lent, and i need to repent repent. Thankyou for this video.
As I mentioned, an exorcist said. You need to confess when was the first time you watched porn, …. Any fear, pride sin?
it is a venial sin in most men, do not use porn or think of impure fantasies.
Masturbation is healthy and normal, it's not a major concern in most cases.
Why do you ASSUME that anything has only ONE purpose? This is the logical fallacy behind needlessly tormenting believers over masturbation.
You're damn skippy!!
We all deserve love. Praise God for the gift he has given us ❤