Sexual Fantasies

During his teen years, Alan (not his real name) had daydreams of another sort. He “learned to conjure up erotic thoughts” and would spend much of his time doing so. Later on, he dedicated his life to God as a Christian. “That did not change anything,” Alan admits. “Sexual daydreaming continued to be a way of life for me.”

Are you likewise plagued with sexually arousing daydreams?c This may not be abnormal if you are in “the bloom of youth,” when sexual desires run strong. (1 Corinthians 7:36) Nevertheless, you do yourself harm if you deliberately nurture sexual thoughts. The Bible says at Colossians 3:5: “Deaden, therefore, your body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite.” Dwelling on sexual fantasies increases wrong desires. It can lead to masturbation​—or to actual sexual immorality.

How can you ‘pull the plug’ on immoral fantasies? Recalls Alan: “I decided to take an either-or approach. I couldn’t concentrate on sex as long as I was concentrating on something else.” Alan thus learned self-discipline. (1 Corinthians 9:27) He meditated on wholesome things and learned to dismiss immediately any immoral thoughts. (Psalm 77:12) “It worked!” recalls Alan.

Interestingly, researchers have found that we daydream the most when we have little to do. So having plenty to do, especially “in the work of the Lord,” is yet another way to keep bad thoughts from taking root.​—1 Corinthians 15:58.