Is Masturbation A Sin!

[Shaniesa]

A couple of my friends and I were wondering if Masturbation is a Sin?

[Revinius]

Masturbation is not individually mentioned but - in greek, the term used for fornication is pornea, this covers all sexual sin outside of marriage. Given masturbation is a sexual act and is for the purpose of 'self-gratification' (selfish) then i would say it is indicative of pornea and thus is fornication. This is compounded by the idol-type imagery that goes on in ones mind during the act, which is clearly lust and is condemned MANY times in the scriptures.

So, yeah. Masturbation is a sin.

[livingword26]

Masturbation is not individually mentioned but - in greek, the term used for fornication is pornea, this covers all sexual sin outside of marriage. Given masturbation is a sexual act and is for the purpose of 'self-gratification' (selfish) then i would say it is indicative of pornea and thus is fornication. This is compounded by the idol-type imagery that goes on in ones mind during the act, which is clearly lust and is condemned MANY times in the scriptures.

So, yeah. Masturbation is a sin.

Agreed. Sex was designed to be between husband and wife.

[faroutinmt]

I believe that it is a sin because God's law concerning adultery and fornication imply that seeking the satisfaction of one's sexual desire is to be done within the context of marriage alone. When we seek to satisfy that desire apart from the covenantal relationship of marriage, we seek it selfishly and sinfully. God designed sex to be honored and enjoyed in the relationship of love within marriage. Separating it from the arena for which God created it is defying God's original purpose and therefore opposing His will and design.

This is why masturbation is really all about "me" being satisfied and served and not me seeking to serve and satisfy another.

[ilovemetal]

great posts everyone.

Proverbs 6:25
Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-6
4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.

so yeah. it's s in. but it's hard not to do. as i'm sure you know...i do, quite well. if you want check out our group.

http://bibleforums.org/forum/group.php?groupid=12

read back a couple pages too. there some good advice.:D

[Archiveit]

I find this to be an interesting issue (and one that I'm not entirely sure that I've made up my mind on).

I'd like to get your opinions on something that Dr. James Dobson says about this topic (sorry, it's rather long).




I don't think you should invade that private world at all unless there are unique circumstances that lead you to do so. I offer that advice while acknowledging that masturbation is a highly controversial subject and Christian leaders differ widely in their perspectives on it. I will answer your question but hope you understand that some Bible scholars will disagree emphatically with what I will say.

First, let's consider masturbation from a medical perspective. We can say without fear of contradiction that there is no scientific evidence to indicate that this act is harmful to the body. Despite terrifying warnings given to young people historically, it does not cause blindness, weakness, mental retardation, or any other physical problem. If it did, the entire male population and about half of females would be blind, weak, simpleminded, and sick. Between 95 and 98 percent of all boys engage in this practice -- and the rest have been known to lie. It is as close to being a universal behavior as is likely to occur. A lesser but still significant percentage of girls also engage in what was once called "self-gratification."

As for the emotional consequences of masturbation, only four circumstances should give us cause for concern. The first is when it is associated with oppressive guilt from which the individual can't escape. That guilt has the potential to do considerable psychological and spiritual damage. Boys and girls who labor under divine condemnation can gradually become convinced that even God couldn't love them. They promise a thousand times with great sincerity never again to commit this despicable act. Then a week or two passes, or perhaps several months. Eventually, the hormonal pressure accumulates until nearly every waking moment reverberates with sexual desire. Finally, in a moment (and I do mean a moment) of weakness, it happens again. What then, dear friend? Tell me what a young person says to God after he or she has just broken the one thousand first solemn promise to Him? I am convinced that some teenagers have thrown over their faith because of their inability to please God at this point of masturbation.

The second circumstance in which masturbation might have harmful implications is when it becomes extremely obsessive. That is more likely to occur when it has been understood by the individual to be "forbidden fruit." I believe the best way to prevent that kind of obsessive response is for adults not to emphasize or condemn it. Regardless of what you do, you will not stop the practice of masturbation in your teenagers. That is a certainty. You'll just drive it underground -- or under covers. Nothing works as a "cure." Cold showers, lots of exercise, many activities, and awesome threats are ineffective. Attempting to suppress this act is one campaign that is destined to fail -- so why wage it?

The third situation around which we should be concerned is when the young person becomes addicted to pornographic material. The kind of obscenity available to teenagers today has the capacity to grab and hold a boy for the rest of his life. Parents will want to intervene if there is evidence that their son or daughter is heading down that well-worn path.

The fourth concern about masturbation refers not to adolescents but to us as adults. This habit has the capacity to follow us into marriage and become a substitution for healthy sexual relations between a husband and wife. This, I believe, is what the apostle Paul meant when he instructed us not to "deprive" one another as marital partners: "Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control" (1 Corinthians 7:5).

As for the spiritual implications of masturbation, I will have to defer to the theologians for a more definitive response. It is interesting to me, however, that Scripture does not address this subject except for a single reference in the Old Testament to a man named Onan. He interrupted sexual intercourse with his sister-in-law and allowed his semen to fall on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother, which was his "duty" (Genesis 38:8). Though that verse is often cited as evidence of God's disapproval of masturbation, the context doesn't seem to fit.

So, what should parents say to their kids about this subject? My advice is to say nothing after puberty has occurred. You will only cause embarrassment and discomfort. For those who are younger, it would be wise to include the subject of masturbation in the "Preparing for Adolescence" conversation I have recommended on other occasions. I would suggest that parents talk to their 12- or 13-year-old boys, especially, in the same general way my mother and father discussed this subject with me. We were riding in the car, and my dad said, "Jim, when I was a boy, I worried so much about masturbation. It really became a scary thing for me because I thought God was condemning me for what I couldn't help. So I'm telling you now that I hope you don't feel the need to engage in this act when you reach the teen years, but if you do, you shouldn't be too concerned about it. I don't believe it has much to do with your relationship with God."

What a kind thing my father did for me that night in the car. He was a very conservative minister who never compromised his standards of morality to the day of his death. He stood like a rock for biblical principles and commandments. Yet he cared enough about me to lift from my shoulders the burden of guilt that nearly destroyed some of my friends in the church. This kind of "reasonable" faith taught to me by my parents is one of the primary reasons I never felt it necessary to rebel against parental authority or defy God.

Well, those are my views, for what they are worth. I know my recommendations will be inflammatory to some people. If you are one of them, please forgive me. I can only offer the best advice of which I'm capable. I pray that in this instance, I am right.

[Revinius]

Wow, that dude likes to justify sin. I particularly liked the justification of masturbating as a prelude to marital relations, how uncontextual biblically of him.

[Sold Out]

A couple of my friends and I were wondering if Masturbation is a Sin?

If these friends are 'guys', then I would recommend a book called 'Every Young Man's Battle' by Steve Arterburn & Fred Stoeker.

The bible doesn't give us a clear indication that it's a sin, but certainly the root of it is in sin. The mind sort of has to be 'motivated' to engage in the act.

[Richard H]

When confronted with those urges, it’s a help to recall the remorse and determination you felt last time you gave in.

I had a real struggle with lust and still do from time to time. Here’s some ammo which helped/helps me.

I think the key is to change (renew) how you see the object of your desire (in that little play in your mind).
That "object" is someone for whom Christ died. He loves them very much.


Then be subject to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners! And purify your hearts, double minded ones!
Be distressed, and mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy into shame.
Be humbled before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Jas 4:7-10

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.


Eph 4:22 For you have put off the old man, as regards the former behavior, having been corrupted according to the deceitful lusts,

Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
Eph 4:24 and to put on the new man, which according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness.

Put on all the armor of God, for you to be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil, because wrestling against flesh and blood is not to us, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenlies.
Because of this, take up all of the armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having worked out all things, to stand.
Then stand firm, "having girded your loins about with truth" and having put "on the breastplate of righteousness,"
and having shod the feet with the preparation of the "gospel of peace."
Above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the darts of the evil one being kindled.
Also, take "the helmet of salvation," and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God;
Eph 6:11-17

[Buck shot]

Masturbation is not individually mentioned but - in greek, the term used for fornication is pornea, this covers all sexual sin outside of marriage. Given masturbation is a sexual act and is for the purpose of 'self-gratification' (selfish) then i would say it is indicative of pornea and thus is fornication. This is compounded by the idol-type imagery that goes on in ones mind during the act, which is clearly lust and is condemned MANY times in the scriptures.

So, yeah. Masturbation is a sin.

This is a great answer!

[faroutinmt]

Another book on the subject of sexual sin that I really enjoyed is Not Even a Hint by Joshua Harris.

[Marc B]

I agree with it being sin outside of marriage since there will almost always be lusting of the heart for someone else in the act, but what about if you're married and you're lusting after your own spouse in the act? Let's say ones a homemaker and the other is a truck driver who's home but a few days a month? I'm not making excuses, just wondering.

[RoadWarrior]

Avoidance of self-gratification and waiting for the time when you are with your spouse intensifies the joy of the union.

[Revinius]

I do find the whole recurring sex topic a cause for concern, it sometimes seems to be more of a concern than peoples relationship with God which is deeply disturbing. Frankly if you obey God and immerse yourself in Him your marital relations should work well.

[apothanein kerdos]

The act itself isn't wrong.

What makes it sinful is the lust that comes along with it. This would mean engaging in the act without your spouse or while not thinking of your spouse would be a sin.

[Tanya~]

Please see the sticky Threads of a Sexual Nature (http://www.bibleforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=119037).That is the position of the board, and to prevent this thread having to be moved to the Controversial Issues forum, it is being closed now.

Thanks for your understanding!