Ellen G. White Quotes on Overcoming Self-Abuse

Self-abuse is a soul-and-body-destroying vice that enervates the system, weakens the brain, and benumbs the moral sensibilities of the soul1MCP 230.1+2. This practice, often starting in infancy, strengthens with age and creates a barrier to spiritual things, making it nearly impossible for the individual to appreciate eternal truths or engage in spiritual exercisesSA 180.1+1. Parents must be awake to this danger, as the animal passions are fueled by stimulating foods like eggs and flesh meats, which inflame the baser nature and make it difficult to overcome such temptations3SM 286.1+2. Useful labor and a simple diet are essential safeguards, as the only safe course is to strengthen the will through the grace of God to resist every form of perverted appetite and impure habit3T 487.2+2.

...h and children of both sexes engage in moral pollution [masturbation] and practice this disgusting, soul-and-body-destroying vice— 1MCP 230.1 (1977)

...y do not realize the exceeding sinfulness of this degrading sin, which is enervating the system and destroying their brain nerve power. Moral principle is exceedingly weak when it conflicts with established habit. Solemn messages from heaven cannot forcibly impress the heart that is not fortified against the indulgence of this degrading vice. The sensitive nerves of the brain have lost their healthy tone by morbid excitation to gratify an unnatural desire for sensual indulgence. The brain nerves which communicate with the entire system are the only medium through which Heaven can communicate to man and affect his inmost life. Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind. In consideration of these facts, how important that ministers and people who profess godliness sho...— 2T 347.2 (1885)

...ome benumbed and in a measure paralyzed. The moral and intellectual powers are weakening, while the animal passions are strengthening and being more largely developed by exercise. The appetite for unhealthful food clamors for indulgence. When persons are addicted to the habit of self-abuse, it is impossible to arouse their moral sensibilities to appreciate eternal things or to delight in spiritual exercises. Impure thoughts seize and control the imagination and fascinate the mind, and next follows an almost uncontrollable desire for the performance of impure actions. If the mind were educated to contemplate elevating subjects, the imagination trained to reflect up...— 2T 470.1 (1885)

... the sinful practice of self-abuse which in this age is almost universally practiced. This practice weakens the physical, mental, and moral powers and bars the way to everlasting life— RH June 25, 1959, par. 12 (1851)

... deportment is not reserved and modest. They are bold and forward, taking indecent liberties. Their corrupt habits of self-abuse have debased their minds, and tainted their souls. Vile thoughts, novel-reading, vile books, and love-stories, excite their imagination, and just sui...— T18 185.1 (1870)