u/Diligent-Chemical261

I believe that the problem of mastur*ation and similar practices lies in our difficulty in understanding the difference between how we deal with temptation and how human nature functions in relation to sin.

James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When we are confronted with spiritual attacks or adverse circumstances, as happened with Job, or even with deceptions and false influences, the Bible teaches us to resist. There is, in fact, a spiritual battle, and God equips us for it. We are well equipped for this kind of fight.

But when it comes to temptations related to the flesh, experience shows that directly and constantly confronting the impulse, relying only on willpower, is often not enough and can even intensify the internal struggle, since these temptations find a response within us.

We somehow experience an internal response to the very thought of temptation, which makes this kind of conflict different from other spiritual attacks.

The Bible also uses another approach in relation to this. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 it is written: “Flee from sexual immorality.” Here, the emphasis is not on debating or staying close to temptation, but on distancing oneself from what feeds it.

When Joseph in Egypt was tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39), he did not stay in the situation trying to resist internally—he ran, he fled. There is no room for dialogue with this kind of temptation.

In the case of mastur*ation, this leads me to understand that there are several factors that indirectly feed desire, such as movies, TV shows, magazines, images on the internet, and a wide range of stimuli that can awaken this kind of impulse.

Therefore, the believer should flee from these things, yes, flee from them, in order to prevent where the problem begins.

But it is important to understand that, although we should avoid these stimuli, it is not merely distancing ourselves from them that produces a healthy spiritual life.

In fact, the direction is the opposite: when we are in communion with God, this naturally leads us to avoid what distances us from Him. In other words, fleeing becomes a consequence of walking closely with the Lord.

Galatians 5:16 says: “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh; they are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

So I see this as a process that involves practical vigilance, fleeing from triggers, and especially a continuous spiritual life, where closeness to God naturally reshapes choices.

I believe that the problem of masturbation and similar practices lies in our difficulty in understanding the difference between how we deal with temptation and how human nature functions in relation to sin.

James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When we are confronted with spiritual attacks or adverse circumstances, as happened with Job, or even with deceptions and false influences, the Bible teaches us to resist. There is, in fact, a spiritual battle, and God equips us for it. We are well equipped for this kind of fight.

But when it comes to temptations related to the flesh, experience shows that directly and constantly confronting the impulse, relying only on willpower, is often not enough and can even intensify the internal struggle, since these temptations find a response within us.

We somehow experience an internal response to the very thought of temptation, which makes this kind of conflict different from other spiritual attacks.

The Bible also uses another approach in relation to this. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 it is written: “Flee from sexual immorality.” Here, the emphasis is not on debating or staying close to temptation, but on distancing oneself from what feeds it.

When Joseph in Egypt was tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39), he did not stay in the situation trying to resist internally—he ran, he fled. There is no room for dialogue with this kind of temptation.

In the case of masturbation, this leads me to understand that there are several factors that indirectly feed desire, such as movies, TV shows, magazines, images on the internet, and a wide range of stimuli that can awaken this kind of impulse.

Therefore, the believer should flee from these things, yes, flee from them, in order to prevent where the problem begins.

But it is important to understand that, although we should avoid these stimuli, it is not merely distancing ourselves from them that produces a healthy spiritual life.

In fact, the direction is the opposite: when we are in communion with God, this naturally leads us to avoid what distances us from Him. In other words, fleeing becomes a consequence of walking closely with the Lord.

Galatians 5:16 says: “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh; they are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

So I see this as a process that involves practical vigilance, fleeing from triggers, and especially a continuous spiritual life, where closeness to God naturally reshapes choices.

I believe that the problem of masturbation and similar practices lies in our difficulty in understanding the difference between how we deal with temptation and how human nature functions in relation to sin.

James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When we are confronted with spiritual attacks or adverse circumstances, as happened with Job, or even with deceptions and false influences, the Bible teaches us to resist. There is, in fact, a spiritual battle, and God equips us for it. We are well equipped for this kind of fight.

But when it comes to temptations related to the flesh, experience shows that directly and constantly confronting the impulse, relying only on willpower, is often not enough and can even intensify the internal struggle, since these temptations find a response within us.

We somehow experience an internal response to the very thought of temptation, which makes this kind of conflict different from other spiritual attacks.

The Bible also uses another approach in relation to this. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 it is written: “Flee from sexual immorality.” Here, the emphasis is not on debating or staying close to temptation, but on distancing oneself from what feeds it.

When Joseph in Egypt was tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39), he did not stay in the situation trying to resist internally—he ran, he fled. There is no room for dialogue with this kind of temptation.

In the case of masturbation, this leads me to understand that there are several factors that indirectly feed desire, such as movies, TV shows, magazines, images on the internet, and a wide range of stimuli that can awaken this kind of impulse.

Therefore, the believer should flee from these things, yes, flee from them, in order to prevent where the problem begins.

But it is important to understand that, although we should avoid these stimuli, it is not merely distancing ourselves from them that produces a healthy spiritual life.

In fact, the direction is the opposite: when we are in communion with God, this naturally leads us to avoid what distances us from Him. In other words, fleeing becomes a consequence of walking closely with the Lord.

Galatians 5:16 says: “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh; they are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

So I see this as a process that involves practical vigilance, fleeing from triggers, and especially a continuous spiritual life, where closeness to God naturally reshapes choices.

I believe that the problem of masturbation and similar practices lies in our difficulty in understanding the difference between how we deal with temptation and how human nature functions in relation to sin.

James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When we are confronted with spiritual attacks or adverse circumstances, as happened with Job, or even with deceptions and false influences, the Bible teaches us to resist. There is, in fact, a spiritual battle, and God equips us for it. We are well equipped for this kind of fight.

But when it comes to temptations related to the flesh, experience shows that directly and constantly confronting the impulse, relying only on willpower, is often not enough and can even intensify the internal struggle, since these temptations find a response within us.

We somehow experience an internal response to the very thought of temptation, which makes this kind of conflict different from other spiritual attacks.

The Bible also uses another approach in relation to this. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 it is written: “Flee from sexual immorality.” Here, the emphasis is not on debating or staying close to temptation, but on distancing oneself from what feeds it.

When Joseph in Egypt was tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39), he did not stay in the situation trying to resist internally—he ran, he fled. There is no room for dialogue with this kind of temptation.

In the case of masturbation, this leads me to understand that there are several factors that indirectly feed desire, such as movies, TV shows, magazines, images on the internet, and a wide range of stimuli that can awaken this kind of impulse.

Therefore, the believer should flee from these things, yes, flee from them, in order to prevent where the problem begins.

But it is important to understand that, although we should avoid these stimuli, it is not merely distancing ourselves from them that produces a healthy spiritual life.

In fact, the direction is the opposite: when we are in communion with God, this naturally leads us to avoid what distances us from Him. In other words, fleeing becomes a consequence of walking closely with the Lord.

Galatians 5:16 says: “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh; they are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

So I see this as a process that involves practical vigilance, fleeing from triggers, and especially a continuous spiritual life, where closeness to God naturally reshapes choices.

We can talk about faith, life, struggles, glories...

We can talk about faith, life, struggles, glories...

Does anyone here use or has used the SALT app?

I have the impression that most of the profiles there are from the UK. For example, I once dated a British man, and he came to my country to see me. It didn't work out, we became friends, but then we lost touch.

The men in my country show considerable interest, but are less flexible when I say that I don't currently belong to any religious denomination. Even though I don't drink, don't smoke, am chaste, have no history of infidelity, and seek the Lord, (If beauty is important, I receive many compliments. It's true I'm not tall, but I often hear that I'm a woman with harmonious features, both facial and body. I'm not being arrogant, just saying what I hear.)

What's your experience with the app? Do you know anyone who's found a relationship through it?

Sou mulher. Cristã. Tenho 28 anos.

Não tenho filhos. Não bebo. Não fumo. Não frequento lugares onde eu não levaria meus filhos. Me guardo para o casamento. Nunca fui infiel. O término com meu ex aconteceu de forma madura e respeitosa, embora existisse sentimento, fui muito leal aos meus princípios, valores e ao que considero certo dentro do relacionamento.

Penso que para um casamento funcionar bem, os dois trabalhem enquanto não têm filhos. A partir desse momento, no meu caso, quero poder ser mãe em tempo integral. Não quero que outras pessoas ou os avós criem meus filhos, principalmente nos primeiros anos. Acho importante a figura materna presente, pelo menos até a criança conseguir se comunicar.

Um relacionamento em que os dois trabalham 8 horas por dia na escala 6x1, frequentam a academia, cuidam da casa ao chegar, cuidam e dão atenção aos filhos e ainda precisam estar sexualmente disponíveis um para o outro, tudo no mesmo dia, na minha opinião, tende a ser um relacionamento distante, estressante e infeliz. Sem contar os ciclos hormonais que a mulher passa ao longo do mês. Gestação, puerpério e amamentação.

Por isso, creio que o melhor é focar na carreira antes dos filhos e pausar a partir da gestação.

Minhas dúvidas são:

1. Você que é marido, ou que quer casar, o que pensa a respeito da divisão de papéis antes e depois dos filhos?

2. Quão importante é sua parceira ser financeiramente estável?

3. Devo esperar ter uma vida estável para só então correr atrás de um relacionamento?

4. Recebo mensagens de cristãos interessados, mas me sinto travada por não conseguir conversar abertamente sobre a minha situação financeira. Por isso, acabo ignorando possíveis pretendentes. Como abordar esse assunto de forma honesta, sem parecer interesseira?

Oi! Sou uma mulher na casa dos 30 anos. Moro numa cidade bem pequena do interior.

O problema é que aqui quase não há oportunidades. A faculdade da cidade só oferece 3 cursos, sendo um deles Administração. Mas administrar o que diabos nessa cidade, criação de galinha? Cabras talvez?

Os empregadores daqui são exploradores. A média salarial gira em torno de R$ 500, sem direito a férias, e praticamente todo mundo trabalha nos feriados. Meu irmão, por exemplo, só folga um domingo sim e outro não (folga de 15 em 15 dias, trabalha das 6h às 11h e das 14h às 17h), e se tiver eventos na cidade, aí não folga de jeito nenhum. Poderia escrever muitos outros absurdos, como da vez que arrumei um emprego de atendente (R$ 300/mensal), mas que tinha que buscar água numa instituição de saúde com um galão até encher os tambores no banheiro porque não tinha água encanada pra dar descarga, e isso é só o começo da conversa. (Antes de mais nada, nem vem com conversa de Lula e PT pra cá não, tô fora).

A questão é que estou vendo minha vida estagnada. Os anos estão passando e não sei como mudar. Já tentei um negócio no ramo de calçados, mas só vendi 3 pares. Pesquisei as taxas na Shopee, mas ao fazer as contas considerando o fornecedor, taxas do app e ainda deixar um preço competitivo, eu só teria lucro de R$ 3,00, sendo que a impressão da etiqueta é R$ 2,00. Já dei como perdido o "salário" de 4 meses trabalhados para abrir esse negócio.

Você conhece alguém que já saiu dessa? Não tenho parentes ou amigos morando na capital ou em outras regiões. Não quero passar o resto da minha vida em uma cidade tão estagnada e sem perspectiva de melhora. Que tipo de negócio dá para começar morando num lugar assim, só para juntar dinheiro e conseguir ir embora?