“I began masturbating when I was eight years old. Later I learned God’s view of the matter. I felt terrible every time I gave in. ‘How could God love someone like me?’ I asked myself.”—Luiz. WHEN you reach puberty, sexual desires can become particularly strong. As a result, you might fall into a habit of masturbation. * Many would say that it’s not a big deal. “No one gets hurt,” they argue. However, there’s good reason to avoid the practice. The apostle Paul wrote: “Deaden, therefore, your body members . . . as respects . . . sexual appetite.” ( Colossians 3:5 ) Masturbation does not deaden sexual appetite but fuels it. In addition, consider the following: ● Masturbation instills attitudes that are totally self-centered. For example, when masturbating, a person is immersed in his or her own body sensations. ● Masturbation causes one to view those of the opposite sex as mere objects, or tools, for self-gratification. ● The ...