If You Have an Itch....Well?

In writing for Christian singles one would think that this topic has been misplaced. Not so, especially during this age when many men have decided to be alone no matter (Genesis 2:18 AMP) what.  Because of the age and man's decision to be single, it affects the other half of the population whether it is her desire or not. Dating then becomes secondary but maturation in Christ holds the priority. People still have to function and maintain Kingdom Living (Romans 14:17 KJV). How can this be when these two factors are out of place - remaining single and being mature in Christ?

While pondering that question, here is a link to one of the most popular entries in the Christian Single blog, Making It Plain. It is entitled, The Lower Nature where I have written about this topic before; however, recently a question was posed in a Christian group on Facebook. The topic of masturbation was simplified as being something that has become a necessity. The statement (paraphrasing): if one has an itch, one scratches it. If one is hungry, one eats. If one is thirsty, one drinks and so forth implying that masturbation would also be well fitted into that reasoning. Personally, it sounds plausible yet this would also make sense to a sinner. That by itself  was a cause for me to find a definitive verse in the Word that would unequivocally satiate the believer but disturb the sinner. Why? The believer and sinner will never think alike (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV). There is no commonality in the two other then what once was but has since passed away. The sinner will pacify himself with wrong doing, wrong thinking, and will try to influence others to make the act socially acceptable disregarding absolute truth.

With the media having a powerful impact on how people construct their lives, I refer to a movie There's Something About Mary, which was released as a romantic comedy, starring Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz. In it, Ben Stiller's character was given advice about how to control his sexual urges so that the conversation could be normal and he not ruin the date by directing the conversation toward the two of them having sex. The advice given was for him to masturbate just before his date so that he would not have sex on his mind. Presumably, before agreeing to do what was advised, he thought how he felt afterwards in the past and therefore decided that the advice was sound. Unfortunately, his timing was off and so what some might have guffawed, I winced and kept my stomach from being upset by changing the channel. Nevertheless, I recognized the same antics from this advice in other skits and spoofs different from the aforementioned movie. Its purpose was to get the viewer use to what has once been considered taboo.

Let's try to make some sense as to why something so exclusive and private would have ever be thought of as taboo. Honestly, if Jerry Seinfeld would have never made fun of the sexual act in his sitcom, would we be as cavalier with the use of it now? Commercials for products designed to enhance the performance are being produced without protest. Boutiques carry battery operated devices that sell well in an industry that is booming. With so much social acceptance and has been labeled as something that everyone is doing or has done before, why should Christians be concerned? Would it keep a believer out of heaven?

The next day after the young woman asked the question in the Christian group on Facebook, Joyce Meyer, Dr. Creflo Dollar, and Bishop T. D. Jakes also delved into it all on the same day. It was amazing! Well, they used the term self control while I answered the question using the word, discipline. It is not something too many Christians rally to know anything about. Discipline and self control has as much edge of the seat, riveting, genuine interest as a believer asking God for more long suffering and patience; yet all 4 of these traits with 5 more are necessary for Jehovah's harvest to be what He expects (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP).

Shall we continue even further or do you have an understanding where this is going?

While I understand why the question was asked, the only way any believer reading that question can truly be set free is through the Word of God. When hearing other sermons on the matter (too few to get into depth), the scriptures used were on fornication and lust. The speaker would group those two subjects in with masturbation and leave the listener not quite content with having the actual question answered. Would God be so specific about those two subjects and not be specific about something by which He knew would be an issue in these last days? With Him being a Good Father and the supplier of all of our needs, He also would be specific in this matter as well.

As a disciple of Christ, this means one is disciplined. Can you see how the two words are similar? In the discipleship, one accepts the responsibility of being consecrated in Him. He/she allows for the Holy Spirit to have full control of the will. In so doing, one's purpose in life becomes clear or is confirmed. Jehovah-Jireh has sought and supplied our needs. We have a healer, deliverer, a comforter, a supplier, a peace giver it is all good all of the time. If our hearts and minds are stayed on Him, why would there be a need for anything else? If urges arise and we are not married, wouldn't that be a clue that there is something we have fed our hearts and minds that is not of Him? It would have to be, don't you see? He has supplied EVERYTHING!!! Why would there be a need to gratify self (Galatians 5:16-25 AMP)?

Make Up Your Mind!

I have joined several Christian groups on Facebook and for the most part, I check in to see if there is an interesting conversation or question posed. Most of the groups aren't doing anything but compiling members. One or two have some finding scripture, posting it, and then waiting to see how many "likes" they receive. I give the groups a few months to see what comes of them, I even ask a question to see if there are any responses. Without a response and seeing how old my question gets, determines how long  I remain a member.

On one of the groups, my questions are rarely ignored. I asked one concerning my sister. She asked me for some advice but when I gave it to her, she became annoyed stating, "I didn't ask for a minister, I asked my sister. Why can't you talk like a normal person?" I was shocked to say the least. Treading on eggshells, I replied, "that's what I would say to anyone who asked me the same thing even if they wanted to know what I would do in the same situation." That response upset her even more.

The questions asked in the various Christian groups seem to also be a slippery slope. Those asking may not be Christian yet they choose a Christian venue to get answers. I was reading some of the questions asked and tried not to answer them. I read some of the answers, most of which were actually good yet others needed another question to explain what they were referring to. I posed the question about my sister on the site knowing that there would be a lot of readers and only the select few would venture to answer. Again, surprise is what I got when someone agreed with my sister.

Its not that I can't take criticism, I welcome it through introspection so I can be what God calls me to be (Proverbs 4:26 AMP). However, if you can dish it out, be ready for the questions that come right after so I can have a complete understanding of the critique (Proverbs 4:7 KJV). The "middle of the road" philosophy has been spotted with other associates of mine. In conversation, I noticed that certain behaviors can be overlooked and holy is used as the band-aid to cover rather then changing the behavior. For instance, we all know fornication is wrong in the sight of God; yet, if the relationship is headed toward marriage anyway, then....well, it'll be alright (1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV). Really? This sort of thinking is often without correction and considered socially acceptable. When did societal norms become acceptable in the church (Romans 12:2 AMP)?

A married minister was leading the congregants in prayer. Before the actual prayer, he caught the eye of one of the single ladies and winked at her. The Senior Pastor was told. He said, "well Minister Such and So has come a long way from where he used to be in that other ministry. It was just a wink." Services continued without a hic-cup, a dismissal, or a reprimand - nothing. Later, that same single lady was caught with other married men in the same ministry.

In finally reading some of the answers to my question and answering questions in their comments, one of the answers was what got me to write this post. To paraphrase what was written by one of the members: We all can write  a religious answer but lets just be real for once. What does that mean?

Religion is obtaining the textbook knowledge and using it as lip service. When you can use that knowledge and believe it for practical application in your life - that's Kingdom Living. Its obtaining the truth, retaining it, and living it. Answering questions with God in mind so He can be pleased (1 John 3:22 KJV).

When I talk, it is just the same as how I write (Colossians 4:6 AMP). When reading this blog, I try my best to make it easy and simple to understand (Proverbs 23:23 AMP). The foundation of the ideas is in the parenthesis with the Word highlighted and linked to the text so the reader will see I am using the only truth that faith filled believers have. We are to be like Christ, hence the name Christ-ians! How more real can that be?