It's safe to say that must of us know what consists of lust. Things such as looking at a woman sexually or having a strong desire for some kind of sexual activity. When most people talk of lust they refer to things that are sexual. But does lust reach beyond the realms of sex? If you're wondering why I ask, particularly in this forum category, it's because I've been going through what seems like a unique situation. I can't find anyone who thinks the way I do. I hope I'm wrong, however.
I've been trying to clean my life up for weeks. I've gone from watching pornography twice a day (or more) consistently to once every three to four days. I'm trying to kick the habit. But what seems odd to me is I can get fully aroused, willingly and not randomly, without thinking of or looking at another naked person or anything related to intercourse. For example, if I say to myself I need to "release my backed-up seed," then I can get fully aroused to do so. If I imagine myself naked and standing in front of someone fully clothed, I can get off to that. When I was a teenager living in my parents house, I once went out after dark into the secluded woods nearby and tried "going natural" just to see what it was like (being a curious teenager and all.) But I couldn't lose the erection I had, despite not thinking of anything at all sexual. I think it was just embarrassment.
Sorry for the long post, but can anybody give me insights into this predicament? Would it be wrong to pleasure myself to the thought of something embarrassing if nothing relating to intercourse or another naked person was included?
From your post, I assume you are younger, healthy and have a strong libido.
These are all gifts of God, so don't feel ashamed of them.
It is not at all abnormal to get aroused due to thought of sexual pleasure and young men may need no stimulus at all to have erections.
Feel free to follow the other thread on masturbation, but my opinion is "not sinful".
Thank you John for sharing your opinion. I am young right now, I'm still in college. I want to stress that I desire to get married asap to avoid these kinds of activities. Despite how hard I've prayed, God has not yet put a woman in my life. It's depressing quite regularly.
I would be interested in hearing the opinion of someone who thinks what I do in my first post is wrong. I want to hear both sides.
It's referred to as "burning". If you are unable to master your soul, then get married is what Paul says. But obsession with one's reproduction organs is directly related to where your heart lies...
(1Co 7:9) But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
(1Co 7:32) But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
(1Co 7:33) But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
It will make an eternity of difference, one choice or the other, as is the magnitude of a bright star as opposed to a dim star.
But... you are still a star :)