Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Does Sexual Arousal Outside Marriage Damage the Brain?

Does Sexual Arousal Outside Marriage Damage the Brain?

Recently, at our church, we were blessed with a lecture on 12 things that can damage the frontal lobe of the brain. These, according to the presenter, include lack of water, a raised CO2 level, poor blood flow, etc…

The one that got me thinking was about sexual arousal outside of marriage as a “hit” on the frontal lobe.

This triggered a memory where you mentioned something along these lines in one of your Bible studies a while back. I have no idea which study it was, but would appreciate it if you could shed some light on this, please.

My question would be – how can sexual arousal outside a normal monogamous MARRIAGE relationship specifically damage our brains? Is the sexual act and “just fantasizing” equally destructive?

Thank you, and may God continue to bless you and those you care about.


Our brains are marvelously complex organs with the capacity to change and rewire based on experience and the choices we make. Over time our choices actually result in changing of our brain circuitry. God originally designed our brains to operate in a perfect balance with the “frontal lobes” in governance. But, since sin, this balance has been upset. The Bible tells us that we are tempted by our “desires” or feelings (James 1:13), which corresponds to a part of our brain called the limbic system. This part of our brain is often called the “primitive” brain and is the seat of lust, aggression, fear, and survival drives.

The “frontal lobe” is composed of various regions that are responsible for different functions. The outer prefrontal cortex, called the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is where we reason, strategize, and plan. If you take your finger and touch the edge of your eyebrow closest to your ear and then move your finger straight up until you touch the natural hairline, the DLPFC lies beneath this point.

Beneath the DLPFC, right above the top of the eye socket, is the orbital frontal cortex (OFC), and adjacent to the OFC toward the midline behind your nose is the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC). Current brain science implicates the OFC and VMPFC as the most likely site of the conscience. It is in the OFC and VMPFC where we experience the conviction of guilt, recognize socially inappropriate behavior, and from where the brain sends instructions to correct improper behavior.[ii][iii][iv][v]

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) – the part of the prefrontal cortex right between your eyes and slightly back from your forehead – is the neurological “heart.” It is in this region of the prefrontal cortex where we experience empathy, compassion, love, and where we choose the right from the wrong. The ACC is also the seat of the “will” the place where we choose the right from the wrong.

The DLPFC (reason) in combination with OFC and VMPFC (conscience) form the ability known as judgment. Interestingly, brain research has shown that when the VMPFC is active, the DLPFC is less active, and when the DLPFC is active, the VMPFC is less active. What this implies is that when our consciences are clear, we can reason and think more efficiently. But when we are involved in activities that violate God’s law of love, the conscience impairs strategizing and planning. In other words, we cannot think clearly when we are guilt ridden. In order for our judgment to work best, our consciences must be clear. This can only happen when we live in harmony with the law of love.

So what happens when we engage in sexual arousal outside of marriage? We activate limbic circuits, which the PFC must evaluate and the ACC must choose to deny or act upon. If we choose to act on these impulses (including in our imagination) it results in activation of the VMPFC and OFC which cause sense of guilt, this impairs DLPFC function and we don’t reason or think as well. The increased guilt activates the amygdala, which is the fear center, and this results in increased stress hormones and inflammatory factors being released. Additionally, the firing of the amygdala results in diminishment of ACC and DLPFC activity with impairments in the ability to love altruistically and think reasonably. The person becomes more self-focused, will rationalize, distort, and blame others. This causes further activation of limbic circuits and more damage to PFC circuits.

Sexual arousal, however, is not sin in itself – what is sin is the choice by the will (ACC) to say yes to the temptation brought about by the arousal. If the ACC instead says no and redirects the DLPFC to turn off the imagination and instead think wholesome thoughts no damage occurs, and instead the circuits of self-governance are strengthened.


Todd A. Hare, Colin F. Camerer, Antonio Rangel. Self-Control in Decision-Making Involves Modulation of the vmPFC Valuation System. Science, 1 May 2009: Vol. 324. no. 5927, pp. 646 – 648.

[ii]Heerkeren, Hauke R. et al., An fMRI study of simple ethical decision-making. Neuroreport. 2003 July;14(9):1215-19.

[iii] Samuel M. McClure, David I. Laibson, George Loewenstein, Jonathan D. Cohen. Separate Neural Systems Value Immediate and Delayed Monetary Rewards. Science 15 October 2004: Vol. 306. no. 5695, pp. 503 – 507.

[iv] Jorge Moll, Paul J. Eslinger, Ricardo de Oliveira-Souza. Frontopolar and Anterior Temporal Cortex Activation in a Moral Judgment Task: Preliminary functional MRI results in normal subjects. Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr.  vol.59 no.3B São Paulo Sept. 2001.

[v] Jorge Moll, Ricardo de Oliveira-Souza, Paul J. Eslinger, Ivanei E. Bramati, Janaína Mourão-Miranda, Pedro Angelo Andreiuolo, and Luiz Pessoa. The Neural Correlates of Imaging Investigation of Basic and Moral Emotions. The Journal of Neuroscience, April 1, 2002, 22(7):2730-2736.

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous