Masturbation is a term that is used to denote deviation in full sexual relations. If there is a problem, a person regularly feels the desire to satisfy his needs for sex without the participation of a partner. Female or male masturbation relatively often acquires a pathological character - the individual begins to satisfy himself more than three times a day.
The harm of masturbation lies in the depletion of the central nervous system, as well as in the disruption of the full functioning of the reproductive system. Representatives of the stronger half of humanity often develop prostatitis, and women suffer from adnexitis. The benefit of masturbation is that this method of satisfaction allows you to reduce the sexual tension that has arisen in a timely manner.
Why masturbation is a sin
The Orthodox Church allows carnal intimacy only between legal spouses who have entered into marriage before God. This is necessary for procreation. All other acts outside of marriage, as well as those committed for self-satisfaction, are considered sinful.
The commandment that says “thou shalt not commit adultery” speaks not only of the prohibition of carnal acts outside of marriage, but also of the need to maintain purity of thoughts. And masturbation stems from sinful dreams and lustful thoughts. In addition, there are other reasons that force you to fight the vicious habit. By engaging in onanism, a man not only wastes semen intended for procreation, but also spends a lot of energy that he could direct to useful work.
Not only men, but also women are susceptible to the sin of masturbation. Despite the fact that there is no mention of female masturbation in the Holy Scriptures, masturbation is also condemned by the church.
Malakia is also characteristic of children. But kids rarely realize the sinfulness of their actions. The reasons for children's handjob can be very different:
- failure to comply with hygiene rules;
- tight clothes.
If you catch a child doing something obscene, you don’t need to immediately scold him or intimidate him. You should delicately ask your son or daughter about the reasons for this behavior in order to eliminate them.
Any Christian should be able to resist temptations, subordinating feelings to reason. Without this, serving God is impossible. Self-satisfaction indicates a Christian’s weak will, the inability to manage his life, allowing momentary emotions to prevail over reason. And if a person has a weak will, it means he can fall into another sin. By learning to control your vicious desires, you can cope with many unrighteous acts.
About masturbation and masturbation. About the husband's adultery
Contents: About masturbation and masturbation. What should a wife do if her husband commits adultery? The prophet Hosea, who was commanded by God to marry a harlot
About masturbation and masturbation.
Anonymous: Is masturbation and masturbation a sin? And in our time, this is no longer considered a sin. And also, some say that Holy Scripture says nothing about this sin?
Father Seraphim: “And Judas said to Onan: go in to your brother’s wife, marry her as a brother-in-law, and restore seed to your brother. Onan knew that the seed would not be his, and therefore, when he went in to his brother’s wife, he poured it out on the ground so as not to give seed to his brother. What he did was evil in the sight of the Lord; and He slew him also” (Gen. 38:8-10).
The name of this sin came from Onan - masturbation, and in our time it has come to be called masturbation. This testifies to how this passage of Holy Scripture has always been understood in church tradition.
As we see, masturbation (masturbation) is “evil in the eyes of the Lord,” because it is unnatural to the nature of human nature, as God created it. For it is natural for man, by nature, as God created it, only to be attracted to the opposite sex: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave to his wife; and they will become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). With these words, the Lord Himself testified to what is natural to man by nature. And because of this attraction, invested in rough human bodies, so that there would be no debauchery among people, the Lord blessed the marriage: “And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply , and fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:27,28).
Therefore, the natural resolution of carnal lust among people occurs only in marriage, between husband and wife, in a natural way. This is the definition of God, who put this law into our nature. All other resolution of carnal lust - all kinds of perversions, which include masturbation (masturbation) - is contrary to the will of God, and unnatural to human nature, as God created it. And therefore it is a sin against human nature, against conscience, no matter what crafty, plausible excuses are given to justify this sin, which is contrary to our nature.
And in order to show, for future generations, how much the sin of onanism (masturbation) is a sin and evil “in the eyes of the Lord,” the Lord punished Onan for this sin by “putting him to death” (Gen. 38:10). Therefore, those who consider masturbation (masturbation) to be a harmless matter, not sinful, deceive themselves, for in doing so, they act against the will of God, against their nature, as God created it. And therefore, conscience will convict and torment them for this sin in eternity - they will forever feel its remorse, which will be for them a never-ending worm, bringing hellish torment. And also the lust of the flesh, not finding satisfaction, will burn like fire.
This is what Apostle Paul says about this: “Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor masturbators (onanists), nor homosexuals... will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9). The Apostle Paul wrote this letter for the Greeks, in Greek. And among the Greeks, the word “malakia” was used to describe masturbation or masturbation. Since, precisely in this sense and meaning, this word was used in Greek church literature. The word “malakia” was used with exactly the same meaning in ancient Rus', in church literature. This is also stated in Dahl’s dictionary: “Fornication, malakia church. Onanism is a pernicious vice of bestial lust.” The modern sexological dictionary speaks about the same thing - the use of the word “malakia” in the meaning of masturbation (masturbation) in ancient times: “Malakiya (obsolete) - masturbation.” The word “malakia” is Greek, and the Greeks of the Byzantine era, who spoke Greek, used this word precisely in the sense of masturbation, masturbation (masturbation - modern). It had the same meaning in Rus', which received its faith, Orthodox, from the Greeks. In this sense and meaning, this word was used in the works of the Holy Fathers, Greek, who wrote in ancient Greek, and Russian, etc.
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This is what is said in the Greek nomocanon of John the Faster (6th century): “On masturbation. In this enumeration of sins, let us first of all name the evil malakia that captivates many; and as the holy Apostle Paul says: Do not sin: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor those who practice wickedness, nor adulterers, nor sodomizers, nor thieves, nor covetous people, nor robbers, nor drunkards will inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore, we put it in the first place, since of all sins it fights primarily against people, and with the coming of age, the virginity of many is corrupted through this passion, for those who practice malakia no longer have virginity, and this evil custom takes hold of knowledgeable and reasonable people forever, so that many are obsessed until old age, even until death, they do not lag behind, and not only among the laity, but also among those who have retired from the world. There are two types of malakia: the first is the one that is done with one’s own hand, which we know from the confessions of many, and which is known to everyone. The other is known to very few and is done by the hand of an outsider, as I heard about it from those who practiced this evil passion, for, abhorring to do something abominable with their own hand, having called upon others who serve them, free or slaves, with their hands they produce an evil and prodigal outpouring, of which the divine ladder of John mourns and says that it is pitiful to fall, but more pitiful is to draw another into committing a sin. For he took upon himself the burden of both falls and the teaching of evil, for the one who teaches, having come to the consciousness of evil, may perhaps stop sin, and the one who learns from him will learn his sin, and therefore the repentance of the one who taught will be powerless. All this word about malakia by the hand of an outsider, dragging us into evil with evil, although we do not mention it among other sins, in view of the diversity and multitude of evil from this passion, we put it before other passions” (Canonary. Nomocanon of St. John the Faster).
“The secrecy and accessibility of this sin gives rise to it and maintains it. In fact, here you do not need (as the fornicator secretly thinks) a person of the other sex to satisfy lusts: lust at home near you; and there is no need to ask anyone for it, and there is nothing to fear for refusal, and the traces of sin constitute their own secret. That is why, by the way, not only men, but also women, not only the young, but also the elderly, indulge in this vice, not only those who have generally fallen into fornication, but who have not even experienced sexual intercourse, such as boys and girls, even people indifferent to the other sex , for example, single to women. The special voluptuous sensitivity that accompanies malakia develops this vice to such an extent that the hands of the fornicator are tied in order to restrain him - that he unconsciously (in his sleep) commits hand fornication, as well as natural satisfaction of sexual urge, i.e. Even by getting married, he is not always cured of this disease. Here the habit that binds his will is especially visible in the human body: the pleasure experienced by the body this day is again required from the body tomorrow at the same hour; satisfied tomorrow, the demand for the same pleasure is repeated on the third day with even greater force, and so on. But what a terrible vice this is!.. True, there are people whom no one taught malakia, while they are guilty of this sin. Having given free rein to their inner or heartfelt lust, they themselves created this sin for themselves, or rather, the enemy - the devil - was their teacher this time. They made their first experiences of sin without clearly realizing that it was a sin; This is how females are especially self-defiled, who, due to their modesty, do not reveal their secrets to anyone, but with the development of passion in themselves (like boys) usually begin to retire. For this reason, all other self-desecrators, and especially homosexuals, would not have been so unhappy if they had not been taught unnatural fornication by someone from the outside or had accidentally seen this temptation in others. The grief and misfortune increases from the fact that, for the most part, it is the elders who inform the young. (Moreover, this time too, violence is used by others... In the female sex, some also teach malakia to others and do it together). And someone who is familiar with some unnatural sin will quickly strive for it on its own, for example, a 10-year-old child only needs to be taught malakia, and then he sometimes does not give in to the most caring measures from the outside when they want to stop him from the vice (so happens in a factory, at a school, in an institution, but less and less often in rural life). It is childish foolishness that supports this terrible evil... Oh, shameless distributors of unnatural fornication! If only you would remember in a timely manner such a threat from the word of God: “neither the malakia nor the homosexuals... will inherit the kingdom of God” (Cor. 6:9)” (Moral Theology for the Laity, chapters “Malachi” and “Introducing the Innocent Person to Malachi”).
“Fornication sins are natural: fornication and adultery. Sins of prodigal unnatural: malakia, sodomy, bestiality and the like” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, vol. 1, chapter “Eight main passions with their divisions and branches”).
“ About malakia: “And if the eruption of semen, which occurs from the pleasure of lust through night dreaming, is punished in this way, then the strictest penance should be subjected to the eruption through malakia, since it does not happen in a dream or from dreams” [Almost literally according to Balsamon (12 century), on the message of St. Athanasius the Great to Ammun the monk (4th century)]. For John the Faster (6th century) says: a cleric who has undergone the passion of malakia before (accepting) the priesthood and does not dare to accept the priesthood, perhaps out of the consciousness that only he should be forbidden to do so, after a sufficient preliminary penance, shall be awarded the priesthood; If, after accepting the priesthood, he falls into this passion, then, after moving away from the priesthood, having become chaste through the usual penances, let him begin to the priesthood; and if, out of consciousness of sin, he does this twice or three times, then, after being deprived of the priesthood, he must enter the rank of reader. And a layman who has committed the shameful passion of malakia withdraws from communication for 40 days, eating dry food in them and performing 49 bows every day; and malakia, which occurs through mixing with each other, makes the evil worse, since two souls are desecrated, and therefore the one who makes it accepts double penance, being removed from communication for 80 days and extending the measure of prostrations to 100 with a corresponding fast. And ejaculation of semen resulting from kidney disease, such as ejaculatory disease or stone disease, is absolutely not subject to blame. For although the law of Moses recognized spermatozoa as unclean, it figuratively showed spiritual illnesses through bodily passions and through involuntary (sins) persecuted voluntary ones: for if what is natural is considered unclean, then much more is concupiscence according to consciousness, for the filial law taught the Jews with bodily objects as children , in order to make them capable of receiving spiritual and more perfect commandments; but through this he also teaches us that we should avoid communicating with such people, so as not to be defiled by the uncleanness of the words coming from their mouths. And these are those who are intensifying their own passion to spread to everyone, like an infectious disease, and to have many like themselves, in order to avoid, as they think, the reproach of denunciation in the society of the evil. But our law allows these no less than healthy ones, and while those with leprosy were expelled from the camp (Lev. Chapter 13) as unclean, they participate with us in church meetings and prayers, not encountering any harm in their illness. obstacles to that. And the 12th canon of Timothy of Alexandria (4th century) says that if someone who had an unclean dream first had a lustful thought, which, having established itself in his thought, produced an eruption of semen, then communion should be postponed, for the predisposition has defiled the thought ; and if nothing of this kind preceded, then it becomes clear that this is a temptation of the devil, who manages to remove him from divine communion: he, without doubting anything, proceeds to communion, for if the evil one manages to achieve that, as a result, he does not participate in sacrament, he will not stop plotting every time he finds out that he is preparing for Divine Communion [Expounded according to Balsamon, in the form of a paraphrase.].” (Greek “Alphabetical Syntagma”, Beginning of the letter K, ch. 28).
And in modern Greek the word “malakia” has the same meaning - masturbation.
“You seem to consider your other case, which, in your consciousness, makes you guilty before God, is easy. Find and read the following passage in the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians: chapter 6, v. 9. What is called here: malakia, that is, your business. It takes away the Kingdom. Therefore, there is a mortal sin. Prodigal passion is here in full force - and it is satisfied. Think about this. And put an end to this matter. It dries up and causes premature death. For others, it relaxes their abilities, suppresses sanity and energy, and sometimes causes insanity. Take care of yourself! If you have decided to live a good life, take care not to give way to lust!” (St. Theophan the Recluse, Letters, Issue 5, item 814).
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“Finally, we must also know the very machinations of demons, through which they tempt us with unnatural passions, and know whether it is ever possible, even if we have achieved holiness, not to be afraid of them.
Malakia, masturbation (masturbation, masturbation *, palmistry, ipsation **, etc.)
“Do not be deceived...” says the apostle, “neither the corrupter nor the wretch - μαλακοι - ... will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9).
* Short for manustupration: manus (Latin) – hand and stuprare (Latin) – to defile, to commit fornication.
** This term was recently (1921) proposed by a Polish doctor from Krakow, Dr. Kurkiewicz. Other doctors (Girshfeld, Prisman) also liked it, since it more accurately defines the essence of the vice, which is not always committed through the hands. Ipsation - from the Latin ipse - “oneself”: the author of the term wanted to note that such an act is performed by a person on himself. (Prisman M. Ipsation (masturbation) in the coverage of modern science. Berlin: Doctor, 1922. P. VIII).
This is the verdict on the masturbators. God punished their father, the Old Testament Onan, with death for committing this sin (Gen. 38:9-10). What he did was evil in the eyes of the Lord, the Bible says about Onan, and He (God) killed him. (This vice, as can be seen from here, is very ancient. Perhaps the following passage from Ezek. 16:17-18 can be understood in the sense of this vice. Plutarch says that Diogenes, the “philosopher in a barrel,” indulged in masturbation publicly in the city market See: Prisman M. Ipsation (masturbation) in the coverage of modern science (Berlin: Doctor, 1922. P. IX).
And at the present time, the Church, according to the rule of John the Faster, prescribes dry eating and up to 100 bows per day for 40 days to the person who has committed a sin (man and woman alike).
“If he cannot eat dryly, let him refrain from communion (it mattered when people received communion, if not daily, then very often. See: “Fundamentals.” Section III. Chapter 7. § 5. The Sacrament of Holy Communion. – Bishop Barnabas) one summer (that is, a year - Bishop V.) and 50 bows every day" (Nomocanon at the Great Trebnik. M., 1897. Rule 59).
Mutual masturbation is punished twice, that is, eighty days of dry eating (or two years of excommunication from the Holy Mysteries) and fifty bows per day. (Nomocanon at the Great Trebnik. M., 1897. L.261. Rule 60). The exaction from clergy is, of course, even stricter (Ibid. Rules 61, 62).
“Flee fornication,” repeats the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 6:18), “every sin that a person commits is outside the body, but a fornicator sins against his own body,” - εις το ιδιον - weakens his own body.
“For a long time, sexual excesses have been attributed a very serious significance, in terms of their influence on the central nervous system,” says the famous psychiatrist Professor P. Kovalevsky. (Kovalevsky P. Mental illnesses. T. 1. P. 234, 235-236). – The evil influence of this act is the stronger, the younger the abuse began and the more persistently the practice continued. This influence of abuse affects both the physical, moral and mental life of a person. On the physical side there is weakness, weakness, exhaustion. In character - irritability, hot temper, secrecy, a tendency towards alienation and solitude, suspicion, etc. In mental terms - dulling of memory, limited intelligence and general mental retardation...
Some authors describe cases of insanity that owe their origin to onanism and masturbation. Sbitzka says that masturbatory madness occurs predominantly in men between 13-20 years of age. These patients are weak, anemic, with cold extremities... Very often such patients have occipital pain... Among the mental signs, which are extremely variable, one can point to lack of attention, absent-mindedness, lack of endurance in any work, mental laziness and weakness, fear of they didn’t recognize the vice by looking at their face—all sorts of fears in general. In the further course there is: childishness, collecting unnecessary things, writing stupid diaries, etc. Sometimes suicidal tendencies appear. In less pronounced cases, there is a decline and weakening of morality...
Draper says that with masturbation there appears tension in the activity of fantasy, aversion from the opposite sex,” and so on.
Draper quite correctly noticed the matter - the devil can bring a person to the point of falling no other way than through a huge influx of lustful thoughts to the point of complete intoxication and confusion by them.
(This is how St. Isaac the Syrian (7th century) depicts demonic warfare. First, the demon tries with all his might (we are even talking about a chaste, not a corrupt person) to sow at least one of his thoughts in the heart of a person. And as soon as the thought is accepted, “ "Surrounds [the latter] a gathering of thoughts containing empty and shameful dreams; and his pure bed makes him a den of fornication and a disgrace of visions. But when, in the rapture of thoughts, he joins in conversation with them, he will defile his venerable members even without the approach of a wife" ( Ascetic words, Word 43)).
The reason for the avoidance of female fornicators is revealed below by Rev. John Climacus.
“Demons... rejoice over nothing else so much as over the stench of fornication, and they love no passion more than that which defiles the body” (Ladder, Homily 15, ch. 35). And it’s clear why: “Purity assimilates us to God and, as much as possible, makes us similar to Him” (Ladder, Homily 15, ch. 36).
But it is not enough for them to plunge them into general fornication. And the purer and holier a person wants to be, the more vile passions he is tempted by. Thus, “the devil directs all his effort, diligence, cunning, deceit and all his intrigues towards this,” says St. John Climacus - so that those undergoing monastic life and asceticism in this field, full of temptations, are fought against unnatural passions. Therefore, often, being in the same place with the female sex and not being overcome by carnal lust or thoughts, some please themselves; but the unfortunate do not understand that where there is great destruction, there is no need for less” (Ladder, Homily 15, chapter 29).
“I think that the all-damned murderers,” continues the holy father, “for two reasons usually cast us poor people into unnatural falls: because everywhere we have the convenience of such sins and because they expose us to greater torment. The one who had previously commanded the wild asses, and then was himself mocked and enslaved by the asses of hell, learned what was said. And he who once fed on the bread of heaven later lost this blessing. What is most surprising is that even after his repentance, our mentor Anthony said with bitter sorrow: “The great pillar has fallen!” But the image of the fall was hidden by the wise man, for he knew that bodily fornication can happen without the participation of another body” (Ladder, Homily 15, ch. 30).
The case referred to by St. John Climacus, next.
“Abba Anthony the Great (3rd-4th century) heard about a certain young monk who performed such a miracle on the way: when he saw some elders who were traveling and were tired from the journey, he ordered wild donkeys to come up and carry the elders until they reached Anthony . The elders told Abba Anthony about this. And he answered them:
- This monk, it seems to me, is a ship full of cargo. But I don’t know if he will get into the pier.
After some time, Abba Anthony suddenly began to cry, tearing out his hair and sobbing. The disciples asked him:
-What are you crying about, Abba?
- Now the great pillar of the Church has fallen! - the old man answered them. He was talking about the young monk. “But go to him yourself,” he continued, “and see what happened!”
The disciples go and find the monk sitting on the mat and mourning the sin he has committed. Seeing Anthony's disciples, the monk says to them:
“Tell the elder to beg God to give me only ten days of life, and I hope to cleanse my sin.”
But not even five days passed before he died” (Ancient Patericon, ch. 8, p. 1).
(This young monk was already at such a height of spiritual life that the spirit of fornication could not directly approach him. Then the demon comes up with a trick. He sends a demon stronger than himself, that is, the spirit of vanity, which incites the monk to take advantage of what was given to him the gift of miracles, ostensibly for the benefit of others, for the sake of love for one's neighbor, but in fact, to show oneself (That is why St. Anthony the Great said about this ascetic: “I don’t know whether he will go up to the harbour?” For if he does so) will continue to behave in life, without being protected by humility, - as the holy father would like to say, - then I don’t know whether he will be able to live unharmed until death. Experience almost immediately showed that he did not.) When the monk, after performing a miracle, accepted the self-proud and vain thoughts - “look, they say, how people struggle, and you have lived to old age and have not acquired anything like this” (pride was reflected in arrogance, in the fact that he attributed the miracle to himself, and not to God), then grace retreated from The vainglorious spirit handed over the sinner from hand to hand to the demon of fornication, who no longer cost anything to overthrow the unfortunate man a second time and in the most terrible way.
The mercy of God in memory of his former great virtues can be seen in the fact that the Lord accepted his repentance in fewer days than he himself thought).
Seeing such malice and deceit of enemies and knowing that no one is safe from falling, we must be extremely careful.”
(Bishop Varnava Belyaev, “Fundamentals of the Art of Holiness”, vol. 2, div. 3, ch. 2, p. 6).
***
The same thing is said in the translation of the New Testament, Bishop Cassian (Bezobrazov), this passage from the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians: “Do not be mistaken: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor fornicators, nor homosexuals... - Kingdom of God shall not inherit” (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
The present translation of the New Testament was begun in 1953, with the support of the British and Foreign Bible Society, by a group of translators led by the famous Russian biblical scholar Bishop Cassian (Bezobrazov; 1892-1965). It also included Archpriest Nikolai Kulomzin, Baptist pastor A. Vasiliev and their students. Writer Boris Zaitsev took part in the literary editing of the text.
That is, at that point in time, society was not yet infected with modern ideology justifying the sins of Sodomo-Gomor. And therefore, the translation was made based on how this place was always understood by the Apostle Paul, in church tradition.
***
From here we see that the word “malakia”, in ancient and modern Greek, was used in the meaning of masturbation, masturbation (masturbation). It is precisely with this very meaning that the Holy Fathers use it in their works. Therefore, when the Apostle Paul wrote that “the malachis... will not inherit the Kingdom of God,” he meant those who engage in masturbation, masturbation, and masturbation.
This is how the meaning of this biblical text about Onan was understood in the 4th century: “There are three types of fornication: the first is accomplished through the mixing of one sex with another; the second is done without mixing with a woman, for which Onan, the son of the Patriarch of Judah, was struck by the Lord (Gen. 38.9,10) and which in Scripture is called uncleanness; the third is produced by the mind and heart, about which the Lord says in the Gospel: “Whoever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). The Apostle indicated these three types in the following verse: “Mortify your members on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust,” and so on. (Col. 3.5)” (Rev. John Cassian the Roman (4th century), “General outline of the passions and the fight against them,” ch. 18).
Therefore, single people or monastics who do not marry and resolve their lust through onanism (masturbation), let them know that they are kindling in themselves the hellish fire of lust, which will burn them forever. And trampling on their conscience, under various plausible pretexts, justifying this sin, they become enemies of their conscience, which will forever bite them like a never-ending worm.
“ Often the devil directs all his efforts, diligence, cunning, cunning and all his intrigues so that those who undergo monastic life and struggle in this field, full of temptations, are fought by unnatural passions. Therefore, often being in the same place with the female sex, and not being overcome by carnal lust or thoughts, some please themselves; But the unfortunate do not understand that where there is greater destruction, there is no need for less. I think that the all-damned murderers usually plunge us poor people into unnatural falls for two reasons: because we everywhere have the convenience of such sins, and because they expose us to greater torment. The one who had previously commanded wild donkeys, and then was himself mocked and enslaved by hellish donkeys, learned what was said; and he who once fed on the bread of heaven was later deprived of this good; What is most surprising is that even after his repentance, our mentor Anthony, with bitter sorrow, said: “The great pillar has fallen!” But the image of the fall was hidden by the wise man, for he knew that bodily fornication can happen without the participation of another body . There is in us a certain death and destruction of the fall, which we always carry with us and within ourselves, and most of all in our youth. But I did not dare to commit this destruction to scripture, because my hand was held back by the one who said: “What they do in secret” is “shameful for some to speak” and write and hear” (Venerable John Climacus, Homily 15, ch. 29, thirty).
So, as St. John of the Climacus (6th century) says, the sin of onanism (masturbation) exposes a person “ greater torment” than the sin of fornication, since it is unnatural to human nature.
Why is that? - Because when an unmarried man and woman sin, they do not commit a sin against nature, unless they engage in all sorts of perversions. Their only sin is that they are not married. Therefore, here there is only the sin of fornication, lustful passion - the satisfaction of lust, committed inappropriately, inappropriately, in opposition to the will of God, which determined to find this solution only in marriage, between husband and wife, in a natural way. This is the violation of the will of God, and therefore it is a sin. For sin is everything that is not in agreement with the will of God.
But when a person engages in onanism (masturbation), he sins a double sin, since he satisfies his lustful passion, and also does it in an unnatural way, sinning against his nature, as God created it.
God has clearly determined the resolution of the lust of the gross physical flesh in people through natural sexual intercourse in marriage, between husband and wife. This is what the apostle says about this. Paul: “But to avoid fornication, each one have his own wife, and each one have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2). This is the Divine determination, this is the will of God. And just as disobedience to the will of God in Paradise was the original sin for all humanity, so disobedience to the will of God in this matter is a sin before God, a sin against human nature, as God created it. By not listening to God in this matter, by not acting in accordance with the will of God, man prepares for himself hellish torment in his soul.
What should a wife do if her husband commits adultery? The prophet Hosea, who was commanded by God to marry a harlot
Anonymous: Father, I want to turn to you for advice. I am now in a very difficult situation for myself. My husband commits adultery with prostitutes. This all started when I was pregnant and has been going on for about 4 years. When I found out about this, my daughter had just been born and of course we had a big scandal, and he generally wanted to leave the family. Then somehow, with the help of a mother friend who was aware of our situation and our spiritual father, everything somehow calmed down and he calmed down for a while, but that was for a while. I tried to act in different ways: I swore, talked, convinced, but everything was useless. Vaska listens and eats. My spiritual father said that I should not make scandals, should not say anything to him and would carry everything with humility. Of course, I listened to him and for several years now I have been silent. He began to feel completely at ease, everything was fine with him, his family, his home, his beloved daughter, many friends in the house and his lustful passion, which he indulged in as much as he wanted. This situation has become unbearable for me, help me with advice on how to behave correctly, what prayers to read? Should we visit holy places together? He doesn’t want to get rid of this passion, but I can’t understand what to do. I don’t want to destroy my family under any circumstances, we are married, but I can’t live like this anymore either.
O. Seraphim: You say that he began to commit adultery when you were pregnant. But didn’t you deny him married life for the entire period of your pregnancy? And didn’t you deny him married life during the fasting period? If this happened, then you yourself are guilty of his betrayal. For this is called jealousy not according to reason, due to the attitude towards copulation in itself as something sinful.
For sometimes it happens that God allows such a temptation for pride in order to crush it. Therefore, we need to look at ourselves, and if this exists, then begin to make every effort and diligence to cultivate a contrite and humble spirit before God.
I’m telling you the general situation, but you know about your life better than me. That’s why you need to consider what happened and what didn’t happen.
And if you are guilty of anything from what I wrote, then this is for your sins, and you yourself provoked it. If this is the case, then you yourself need to begin to repent of what you did wrong. And bear it as a punishment for these sins, making every effort to correct it.
If there was nothing like that on your part, then that’s a different conversation.
***
The Old Testament mentions the prophet Hosea, who was commanded by God to marry a harlot. And this was done for the purpose of thus admonishing the ignorant people, who had committed error towards God by falling into idolatry.
“The Israelites, the ten tribes, abandoned the true God and began to worship idols, especially Baal. As they turned away from God, God also turned away from them, and said to them: you are not My people, you are not My people, and rejected them, as when someone rejects an unloved wife, he says: You are an unloved one. For the sake of this particular reproach, He raised up the prophet Hosea, among many others who admonished them. God said to Hosea: take a harlot wife and have children with her. The prophet took it, and when his children began to be born, God Himself gave them names. Among them, God ordered one daughter to be named: “unmerciful, unloving, unloving,” and one son: “not my people.” Explaining why this was so, he said: you have turned away from Me, and I am turning away from you, and I will no longer have mercy and love. You do not consider Me your God, and I take away from you the dear name of My people, My people: “You are not My people.” As the Prophet lived in the face of everyone and everyone knew the names of his children and their meaning, this was a continuous visual exposure, reminding them of what they were deprived of through their falling away from God” (St. Theophan the Recluse, “Interpretations of the Epistles of the Holy Apostle Paul,” Rom. 9:25-29).
A person can take on such a feat, bearing the betrayal of his spouse, but this must be done in the spirit of humility, kindness, compassionate love for his neighbor, striving to bring him to reason, always expressing his disagreement, when necessary, with his behavior. This can only be done out of love for one’s neighbor, in helping to save his soul. So God does not abandon any sinner until the very end. Likewise, a mother will never abandon or forsake her son or daughter who commits adultery against their spouses.
But if it starts to harm the children, then everything can be broken off. If a person is attracted to all kinds of unnatural perversions, and it is impossible to stop this, then everything can also be broken off. It is permissible to maintain such a family connection if a person can at the same time engage in personal salvation without participating in the sins of another.
During this period, he needs to pray, in a feeling of compassionate love, for his neighbor, his spouse. In order for God to hear our prayers, for this we need not to read some prayer books (for prayer is not a magic spell), but we need a contrite and humble spirit before God, a feeling of mercy, kindness and compassionate love, a spirit of meekness, good nature and spiritual simplicity, love to the truth of God. You need to start looking for this spirit every day in your life, in all the temptations that befall you. And from this mood of spirit, turn to God in your own words. For God does not look at words, but at feelings, the spiritual attitude with which we turn to Him. And if we are in a contrite, humble and merciful spirit before Him, and in such a mood of spirit we turn to Him, then He hears us.
And in such a mood of spirit, one must ask God to enlighten, enlighten the spouse, and lead him to true repentance, by what paths and destinies He Himself knows.
You have to try everything, but at the same time strive to change yourself, according to the mood of your spirit, and if nothing helps, and it becomes unbearable for you, then you can break off the relationship.
God help you on your life's journey.
How to deal with masturbation and masturbation
Malakia is a venial sin that can be forgiven. First, you need to find the strength to admit to yourself that you have committed desecration, to realize that without the help of the Lord it will be difficult to cope with the shameful act.
The fight against an addiction must begin with repentance, going to a clergyman for confession. Most people are ashamed of malakia. There is no need to try to overcome shame. All you have to do is endure the unpleasant moments. After all, they confess not to people, but to the Lord. A conversation with the priest before the sacrament of confession will help you overcome embarrassment and awkwardness. The priest will explain in what words you should repent of your deed.
Priests recommend confessing at least once a week.
In addition, a number of restrictions must be observed:
- adhere to moderation in diet;
- stop drinking alcoholic beverages that dull the mind;
- Avoid watching erotic films and programs that excite the flesh.
To strengthen the will and overcome the devilish temptation, it is necessary to pray to the Lord daily. As soon as sinful images or impulses seize the soul, you must immediately turn to the Almighty and Heavenly patrons for help.
Etiology
The causes of masturbation may have different origins. This means that sexual disorders, mental disorders and some other factors can provoke the manifestation of pathology. Children's masturbation is often expressed out of curiosity, after the baby could see sexual contact between the parents. Masturbation in girls often occurs due to wearing panties that are too tight.
Female and male masturbation results from the following disorders:
- abnormalities in the development of the genitals;
- hypersexuality;
- problems with erection and semen release in representatives of the stronger sex;
- decreased sex drive.
Mental disorders often become a factor that provokes a person to self-satisfaction. These include:
- mental retardation;
- neuroses;
- various types of phobias;
- psychopathy;
- schizophrenia;
- sexual perversions.
What prayers help
Special prayer texts help to avoid masturbation.
Lord God
Unable to resist the temptation, they read a prayer of repentance to the Lord.
The sacred words are as follows:
“Lord my God, Our Heavenly Father! Hear my prayer, servant of God (name), for my soul is possessed by a terrible illness of body and soul. Terrible unclean demons tempt my soul, filling my mind with sinful temptations. Touch me, Lord, with Your hand and drive out from my soul the servant of God (name), nasty and unclean, all demonic thoughts! May all the powers of the evil devil fade away in my soul, may the Heavenly Power dwell in me and may my soul be cleansed! In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Amen. Amen".
Basil the Great
Saint Basil the Great, back in the 5th century, composed a rule that must be read if you are tormented by lustful thoughts and carnal temptations.
Text of the prayer:
“Much merciful, incorruptible, undefiled, sinless Lord, cleanse me, Thy unworthy servant, from all filthiness of the flesh and soul, and from my inattention and despondency the uncleanness that has come to me, along with all my iniquities, and show me undefiled, Master, for the goodness of Christ Yours, and sanctify me with the invasion of Your Most Holy Spirit; for, having awakened from the darkness of the unclean ghosts of the devil and all kinds of filth, I may be deemed worthy with a clear conscience to open my unclean and unclean lips and sing Thy all-holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen".
Holy Virgin
To subdue the passions, women turn to the Most Pure Virgin Mary with the following sacred words:
“Oh, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of the Virgin, hope of Christians and refuge for sinners! Protect all those who come running to You in misfortune, hear our groans, incline Your ear to our prayer. Mistress and Mother of our God, do not despise those who require Your help and do not reject us sinners, enlighten us and teach us: do not depart from us, your servants, for our murmuring. Be our Mother and Protectress, we entrust ourselves to Your merciful protection. Lead us sinners to a quiet and serene life; let us pay for our sins. Oh, Mother Mary, our most offering and speedy Intercessor, cover us with Your intercession. Protect from enemies visible and invisible, soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against us. O Mother of our Lord Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading flower of purity and chastity, send help to us who are weak and overwhelmed by carnal passions and wandering hearts. Enlighten our spiritual eyes, so that we may see the ways of God’s truth. By the grace of Your Son, strengthen our weak will in fulfilling the commandments, so that we will be delivered from all troubles and misfortunes and may be justified by Your wonderful intercession at the terrible judgment of Your Son. To him we give glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen".
Mother of God
There is another prayer addressed to the Mother of God with a request to deliver from obscene thoughts.
Words of the prayer text:
“My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, with Your saints and all-powerful prayers, remove from me, Your humble and accursed servant, despondency, oblivion, foolishness, negligence, and all the nasty, evil and blasphemous thoughts from my accursed heart and from my darkened mind; and extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor and damned. And deliver me from many and cruel memories and enterprises, and free me from all evil actions. For Thou art blessed from all generations, and glorified is Thy most honorable name forever and ever. Amen".
Reasons for masturbation
Physiological:
- The body's need to receive pleasure from physical stimulation of the sexual organ
- Desire to relieve tension
- The absence of a loved one nearby
- Period of menstruation for girls (if the couple is accustomed to daily sex and it is difficult for the man to endure)
- Pregnancy period
Psychological:
- Bad mood, depression
- Lack of joy, pleasure, happiness in life
Social:
- Easy access to pornography
- Revealing fashion (short skirts, tight jeans and leggings), more and more stimulating sexual desires every day
- Advertising, music videos with naked beauties stimulating passionate desires
Neurological reasons, in cases where masturbation is associated with viewing pornography, sexual fantasies and dreams.
What prayers should men and women read?
Before the prayer service, it is advisable to ask for a blessing from the priest. But it is not always possible to communicate with a clergyman. Therefore, it is allowed to read prayer words about deliverance from masturbation and forgiveness for desecration without a special blessing.
To suppress sinful thoughts that arise throughout the day, read the Jesus Prayer. If masturbation and desecration occurred at night, during sleep, then upon waking up, you must immediately perform a prayer service.
Since most often the cause of vicious actions is lack of faith, the prayer service begins by reading a prayer to strengthen faith. Then they turn to the Lord with a prayer against masturbation.
Men are recommended to read the prayer rule compiled by Basil the Great. Over the centuries, sacred words have helped many men to cleanse themselves physically and spiritually. Women will be helped to dispel demonic obsessions by praying to the Mother of God in front of the “Unfading Color” icon. They read it every day until sinful thoughts leave the woman. The prayer service ends with the reading of “The King of Heaven” and the Fiftieth Psalm.
It is not always possible to quickly eradicate prodigal passion. Sincere faith and prayerful work will help you cleanse yourself, avoiding the defeat of your soul and body by a sinful habit.
What negative consequences does masturbation have?
Masturbation has a negative impact on a person’s physical and mental health. On the physical side, weakness, weakness, and exhaustion appear. The person becomes irritable, quick-tempered, prone to alienation from others and self-centered, secretive and suspicious. Mentally, memory becomes dulled, there is limited intelligence and, in general, mental retardation. A feeling of guilt appears and self-esteem drops; this habit turns into a real passion, which has a destructive effect on various aspects of life.
Benefits of masturbation
On the Internet you can find articles that write about the benefits of masturbation for women - it helps prevent cervical infections, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, helps the functioning of the immune system, and prevents infertility. And men are promised good prostate health.
However, if you dig deeper, you will not find a single study, even with a minimal sample, that could confirm these statements.
Moreover, if we take into account the nine-month pregnancy of women, wet dreams (involuntary ejaculation in a man due to abstinence) - it is clearly seen that both men and women are naturally capable of long-term abstinence without harm to the body.
Another thing is the porn industry, which is directly interested in having as many people as possible engage in self-satisfaction and making it even richer.
