valYOU meal: Personal Fouls

If you want to win the game of life DON’T foul!

MASTURBATION, VIEWING OF PORNOGRAPHY, or OTHER INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR will FOUL up your life!

Foul 1: Inappropriate sexual behavior can become more pleasing than sexual relations with a partner of the opposite gender.

The pleasure chemistry of the body released in the brain during sexual arousal

can cause a connection to whatever you are looking at

and/or thinking about at the time. 

A person can actually become more interested in masturbating, viewing sexual behavior or having sexual feelings for an individual of the same gender – rather than Heavenly Father’s purpose for sexual intimacy!

For example Elder Dallin H. Oaks said,

“Pornography impairs one’s ability to enjoy a normal emotional, romantic, and spiritual relationship with a person of the opposite sex.” (“Pornography,” Ensign, May 2005,)

Foul 2: Inappropriate sexual behavior increases your focus on sexual feelings and the body.

If you allow yourself to continually think about or be obsessed with thoughts regarding sexual behavior, your focus becomes distorted and you begin to think that sexual behavior is the most important thing in life.
 
For example, M. Russell Ballard says:

“We see a rapid increase in cyberporn, involving sexual addiction over the Internet. Some become so addicted to viewing Internet pornography and participating in dangerous online chat rooms that they ignore their marriage covenants and family obligations and often put their employment (or education) at risk. Many run afoul of the law. Others develop a tolerance to their perverted behavior, taking ever more risks to feed their immoral addiction. … relationships fail, as addicts often lose everything of real, eternal value. (“Let Our Voices Be Heard,” Ensign, Nov 2003)

Foul 3: Inappropriate sexual behavior can form a habit and later may become an addiction.

One of the most serious consequences of masturbation, viewing of pornography and other inappropriate sexual behavior is that it can become a habit. Habits can eventually lead to addiction. In many ways sexual addictions can be similar to alcohol and drug addictions! When a young person becomes addicted they are likely:

- To use sexual behavior like masturbation and viewing pornography as a way to deal with life stress and frustrations.
- To have a strong craving for pornography,  masturbation or another inappropriate sexual behavior.
- To have their sexual interest increase and possibly wanting to experience more unusual sexual behavior.
- To limit ability to stop the sexual behavior!

If addicted the young person will be enslaved by the sexual craving regardless of why they first  became involved with the sexual behavior. For example,

“… those who allow themselves to become drawn to pornography soon begin to crave even coarser content. Continued exposure desensitizes the spirit and can erode the conscience of unwary people. A victim becomes a slave to carnal thoughts and actions. As the thought is father to the deed, exposure can lead to acting out what is nurtured in the mind.”  (David B. Haight, “Personal Morality,” Ensign, Nov 1984)  

Foul 4: Inappropriate sexual behavior will cause the spirit to withdraw.

Spiritual activities like prayer, church attendance, scripture study, and keeping commandments become less attractive as you become involved with inappropriate sexual behavior.

 “… Satan is extremely good at blocking spiritual communication by inducing individuals, through temptation, to violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded. With some, he is able to convince them that they are not able to receive such guidance from the Lord. Satan has become a master at using the addictive power of pornography to limit individual capacity to be led by the Spirit.” Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign, Nov 2009

Masturbation and viewing of pornography defiles God’s body temple and offends the Holy Spirit and limits your capacity to be “led by the Spirit.” 

Too many fouls and you can be kicked out of the game.

Chastity Wins!

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“Do not be misled by Satan’s lies. There is no lasting happiness in immorality. There is no joy to be found in breaking the law of chastity. Just the opposite is true. There may be momentary pleasure. For a time it may seem like everything is wonderful. But quickly the relationship will sour. Guilt and shame set in. … On the other hand, when we obey the law of chastity and keep ourselves morally clean, we will experience the blessings of increased love and peace, greater trust and respect … deeper commitment to each other, and, therefore, a deep and significant sense of joy and happiness” (“The Law of Chastity,” BYU 1987–88 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1988], 51).

Super Deluxe VALYOU MEAL

Mormon Message video: Elaine S. Dalton, “Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord,”

Suggested Activities:

-Read the e-zine article: Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality,” Ensign, Nov 1980

- Watch the Mormon Message video: Elaine S. Dalton, “Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2009.   READ      WATCH

-Consider the table below “Consequences of Sexual Behavior”. Write a brief sentence on each comparison in your Reaching For Virtue Workbook explaining the difference.