SPSA Church Giving (opens in a new tab)

Questions & Answers

Masturbation

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Christian Living › Masturbation

The question

I have a huge problem with masturbation. I have masturbated for the past 4 years of my life. At first, I had no idea that it was a bad thing, but it always felt wrong afterward. I researched and found out that it was indeed a sin. I currently have tried my best to try and stop it, but I always fail after a week of going without it. My life of prayer is almost completely dead as well. I try to discuss with my spiritual father, but he is busy, so I get him for a half hour every two weeks. I cannot keep doing this. How do i stop and have a more fulfilling prayer life?

The answer

There are two types of crowns that await us: (1) the crown of victory; (2) the crown of struggles. Continue to strive against the sin of masturbation or any sin in your life with sincerity and God will acknowledge your struggles and help you to overcome. Do not become fainthearted when you experience failure. Arise from every sin in the hope that Christ the Lord came to redeem us sinners. Meeting with your spiritual father even for 30 minutes every 2 weeks is still very good. Make the best use of this time. Read a little Scripture every day. Keep some form of prayer in heart throughout the day, even if it is not the formal hourly prayers. See God in everything and in everyone. Be thankful always. Be alert to the circumstances that enable you to sin or ensnare you into certain sins and guard yourself against all opportunities to sin.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2456 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.