Is Masturbation wrong and sinful?

[wisebeardman]

Someone joins CC for the sole purpose of reviving a four year old thread in order to debate it.......

Hmmmmm................

wouldnt happen if threads were locked after x amount of days with no activity.

 

[ServantStrike]

I find your choice a personal one, which you are entitled. I feel that it is wrong to label someone's choice to masturbate as "sin" because no specific reference can be made without interpretative errors. No specific verses refer to the act. Furthermore, is your definition of "lust" contextualized correctly, or are you using the general, popular usage of "lust" thereby committing eisegesis?
In today's age, Christians REALLY need to be mindful about their claims of absolution. Also, your choice may not work for every person. Brain chemistry is not Exactly the same from person to person. Again, be mindful of what you impose on people. Young generations are rejecting church not because of God, but because of behaviors of believers. If your claim appears illogical or inhumane, then be prepared to eventually close your doors.

Did I say it was a sin? Like I said, if you could do it without lusting, then maybe the discussion might be there about whether or not it's okay. But seeing as it requires sexual arousal for certain things to even work, I'm not sure how that's possible. Even if it starts out without you thinking about sex, your body is going to demand sexual thoughts since you're forcing yourself to be aroused.

As for abstaining from it not working for everyone, I disagree. If not doing it works for me, it can work for almost any one. If I can stop, anyone can. I'm not going to get into frequency or duration or anything, but I did an awful lot of it. I also had quite the pornography problem back in the day.

Sure, when you decide to stop doing it, every ounce of your flesh tells you it's not possible, and it starts to feel like somebody took a sledgehammer to your balls after a week or so, but on the other side of it all you'll find victory. It might be a rough couple of weeks to a month, but with perserverence (and Christ) it can be done.


And lust is lust. If you're thinking about a woman (or a man) when you're doing it, you're lusting.


Are you saying you can go from start to finish without ever thinking a single sexual thought? Be honest, can you do that every time, or does some lust creep in there from time to time.

 

[IloveyouGod]

You bought a new house. It’s yours. Imagine someone would come and paint your house with colours of THEIR choice. OR come in to your house and damage it. Are you gonna let them do what they want to YOUR house that you paid for it???
Then what about God who CREATED your body???? He did not buy it. He CREATED it. Then YES, HE owns it. You can disagree all you want. That’s irrelevant.

There’s a HUGE difference between identifying the wrong and judging people. I did not judge you saying you are going to hell for your sin or that you are a sinful person. I said this is a sin. Everyone has the right to identify right from wrong, otherwise we won’t learn and we won’t know the difference between right and wrong.

So I’m sorry if you thought I was judging you. I’m smarter than that. The minute I judge you, I’ll be judged by God.

I suggest if you don’t like my posts, then do not read or reply to them, period. You can save the theology class to yourself.

You know what? Seriously, I’ll pray for you for real wisdom.

I’m done and will not visit this thread again.

The Ignore button really comes in handy sometimes!!

For your FYI, I find your constant judgmental view as a bad example of Christianity. You appear to me as a dichotomous thinker: "black or white" view of things. Unfortunately, dichotomous thinkers are significantly challenged in interpretation of texts, especially hermeneutics or rhetoric. I know that Scripture does not specifically label masturbation as "sin". You are masquerading on this site that you know that it is an undisputed sin. I think it is YOU who needs to seek advice and some theological learning. Be careful of inventing your own definition of sin and claiming it is God's definition.

 

[GreenNnice]

Don't judge, IloveyouLord, chadanewmerciesmornings, there's no reason to judge her for her opinion of what sin is.
Anyway, guys can learn an awful lot of wisdom from girls on this topic.
Definitely, God doesn't like it but God is with mercies new every morning and as we seek Him, more and more, going for spiritual things, filling our lives with His 'food,' and, refusing the 'junk,' the Earthly (world) things' fare, our lives positively (spiritually) change; this is a form of doing something that gives God glory because He can use your testimony to help others, too .

We all can choose to do things akin to hurt us--whether we admit it or not-- no one's immune to sin. But, what we do with that sin and how we bring it to Him and let Him work it through us and on out of us more and more (or, instantly), as, He leads us, will make all the difference in our lives following Him. The Lord leads. "...you follow Me." John 21:22

We all have 'things' in our life and the moment we give those things to God and we know that we ARE in need of a Saviour to help us through our lives, then, God can openly do miracles through us, who are a 'vessel' that is willing to be steered by Him.

 

[GreenNnice]

Did I say it was a sin? Like I said, if you could do it without lusting, then maybe the discussion might be there about whether or not it's okay. But seeing as it requires sexual arousal for certain things to even work, I'm not sure how that's possible. Even if it starts out without you thinking about sex, your body is going to demand sexual thoughts since you're forcing yourself to be aroused.

As for abstaining from it not working for everyone, I disagree. If not doing it works for me, it can work for almost any one. If I can stop, anyone can. I'm not going to get into frequency or duration or anything, but I did an awful lot of it. I also had quite the pornography problem back in the day.

Sure, when you decide to stop doing it, every ounce of your flesh tells you it's not possible, and it starts to feel like somebody took a sledgehammer to your balls after a week or so, but on the other side of it all you'll find victory. It might be a rough couple of weeks to a month, but with perserverence (and Christ) it can be done.


And lust is lust. If you're thinking about a woman (or a man) when you're doing it, you're lusting.


Are you saying you can go from start to finish without ever thinking a single sexual thought? Be honest, can you do that every time, or does some lust creep in there from time to time.

Well said by His servantstriKer!

And, I'm putting the thread back at the top because of this post, really look at those words in black boldfaced, please

 

[Praus]

Well said by His servantstriKer!

And, I'm putting the thread back at the top because of this post, really look at those words in black boldfaced, please

.................

 

[Liamson]

 

[NightRevan]

It isn't, throughout the whole sweep and narrative of Scripture there is no comment on the practice whatsoever. None, zip, zero. Leviticus which goes into considerable and extensive detail of various forms of sexual immorality (including bestiality in regards to both men and women so the author clearly was aware of even the most depraved and out-there kinds of misuse of sexual activity) doesn't comment on it while commenting on adultery, fornication, incest, homosexuality, rape and bestiality. It isn't comment on anywhere else at all, and it wasn't as if they were blind to the practice during the various time periods in which the various books of Scripture were written, since historical and archaeological evidence fairly well documents that people did know of it (it even forms part of an ancient Egyptian creation story).

There have been attempts to attempt to interpret masturbation sex act of some kind and therefore since it's outside of marriage is therefore sinful (these have ranged for designating masturbation as adultery/fornication, or even homosexual and incest acts O_O). The reasoning behind such interpretations, besides the fact that they cancel each other out (an act is either some form of heterosexual adultery/fornication or homosexuality for instance, it can't be both), seems strained beyond any plausibility to me. Bluntly, apart from some form mutual masturbation, masturbation can't it seems to me to be defined as a sex act, and certainly Biblically speaking (which is what really matters here) sex and sexual interaction, intimacy and intercourse is something that is always done with someone else. This is true whether done faithfully in the context of marriage, or when it is misused, and being unfaithful to the marriage convent in the various forms of idolatrous and immoral sexual immorality listed (adultery, fornication, homosexuality or even the extremely dehumanizing activities such as incest, rape, bestiality etc). However, it is always something that either is done with someone or something else, or using and abusing someone or something else, even when it involves just coveting someone else, or some clearly immoral sexual activity (the lust of the heart Jesus spoke of such as in Mat 5:28, in which you already begin to be guilty of the act by wanting to commit it), as you are mentally and spiritually engaging immorally with another who is not your spouse. This act though still requires the desire with another, and of course clearly covers use of pornography, coveting and lusting after someone who isn't your wife/husband. Can masturbation be associated such activities, sure, but it isn't what is sinful, it's the act of lusting after another, or a sexually immoral activity, or both that makes it so, not the act of masturbation (your guilty whether you are masturbating in associating to this activity or not, something for us all the bear in mind and be careful of). So this was always a weak position, masturbation is not solo sex (there is no such thing, either Biblically speaking or medically speaking), it seems to be a case of those convinced that masturbation is clearly a sin, and then not finding Scripture addressing it, attempting to find ways to turn what the Scriptures do address into commenting on masturbation as well, but I just think these argument stretch the case far to far, and are not convincing at all (and I might add, add to Scripture, trying to help God out to be 'more clear' on some subjects, something some Pharisees in Jesus day did).

So God working through the authors of Scripture has not commented at all on this activity, now is this an oversight? Given who inspired Scripture, I don't think that's an option. Does someone need special insight into the Scriptures to gain the understanding about masturbation (of all things O_O ) ahh, yeah that kind of secret knowledge thing has no place in orthodox Christianity either. So I fall on the conclusion that masturbation is not an inherently sinful act. Can it be associated with acts that are, most definitely as I noted above, but it is those acts or attitudes which are sinful, not masturbation itself. Stimulation can come from mental fantasising sure, but it also can come around from a purely physical response to stimuli without any associated thoughts, particularly to acting as a release in a period of high sexual tension/pressure (and in such a case can help prevent lustful fantasises assault the mind). In such cases there is no sin that is being committed or risked that I can see, and it can act for some a necessary add to avoiding sin and temptation.

So it's a case where each single Christian needs to be truly honest before the Lord and to themselves, can you masturbate without it leading you into sexually immoral fantasises (due to past activities such a watching porn etc) or not? Does it act as a pure release, or is it a snare for you, it's something you need to be truly honest with yourself about, because if it will lead you astray you will be lead into destructive places and could harm you (though the grace of God is always there through King Jesus it shouldn't be played with, and it's better to avoid the harm of sin then be restored from it). However if the answer is yes, then there is no sin or harm that I can see from it, it is just something everyone needs to be truly honest before God about.

 

[KJB]

Just had this discussion in the Ladies Forum, will report and blog my response so maybe it just keeps being read for some that want to read my opinion on it.

There will always be bias for masturbation because the Bible does not specifically say it is a sin. It can be a sin however but not always. Why not always? For one, toddlers play with themselves because it is something new and they have no idea it is called masturbation. Does God cringe? No I don't think so, their thoughts are not of lust so no sin there.

Now, Onan was put to death in Genesis because he spilled his seed and what he did was wicked in the Lord's sight (Genesis 38:10). Onan had a duty and he didn't follow through, he slept with his brother's wife and then spilled his seed and did not have his brother's wife get pregnant (Not masturbation). He had intercourse and orgasmed outside of the woman to keep from having his brother's "children".

How about when you and your husband are together and masturbate together or aid each other, is it marital sex or sin? If it becomes some sort of addiction then yes, addictions any type are sins, but if it is shared between the two the act of masturbating should not be a sin it is within marriage and act of sex.

Well, what about gratifying the flesh in the NT, is that masturbation being a sin? No, I mean husband and wife can gratify their flesh and have sex, it is not a sin. The sin is how that gratifying the flesh is, like adultery and not with your spouse.

If fantasizing is lusting or thinking something sinful, then that is the sin the thoughts that are dirty but not the act of masturbating.

What about some people who have had an encounter where they used to masturbate and they felt God told them to stop? Well, it is a sin for them then, perhaps it was a warning to becoming an addiction, the sinful act was on them to stop through God but it is not in the Bible so it does not apply to everyone.

The Bible tells us to desire and eat food to nourish our bodies, but remember it becomes a sin when it is gluttony. We desire to be with our spouses, and have intercourse and it is not a sin the Bible says so. The sin becomes in which way we have sex, if it goes through adultery then that is the sin, not the sex, but the method the way in which it was done.

Does it hinder a relationship from the being "one flesh"... well again is masturbation a mutual thing between you two, or is it the method in which it is carried out in where the thoughts are dirty and different than your husband?

God has told us many things in the Bible, masturbation is not clear in it, there are so many translations about other things that are clear but if He really wanted us to know for sure I am sure we would have a good verse on it by now.

Again, feelings, and thoughts leads us to translate the Bible in certain ways, but only you will know by asking God what it is that you feel is right or wrong.

 

[Nautilus]

really you had to revive this for that?

 

[KJB]

really you had to revive this for that?

Yes indeed it came up on my feed and had to do it. Question keeps getting asked might as well bump up something that people can read and get something out of it instead of getting the "Why don't you search for it ugh" attitude.

 

[slave]

Well, there's no actual law or command in the bible that deals specifically with it and says don't do it. It is wrong in the eyes of many and has been since the early days of christianity, and prior, in Judaism. Therefore it is wrong, but not sinful. Sin comes by the law, without a law about it, it is not sin.

You are separating the act from the warfare of ownership for our hearts, thus souls. Sexuality in God's context is beautiful, He says the Christian bedroom cannot be defiled, if then Masterbation is your thing still seeking Gods will in there so be it. But anything outside of Gods marriage is a perverted substitute. And is sin. God uses sometimes specific statements to a specific subject to sometimes point out His will, other times He uses principles to do such a thing. Here is where we find this issue. God has pointed out in numerous scriptures how sexual content outside of marriage, or sexual immorality is harmful and soul gripping, not neutral at all. He sees the thoughts of man in the area of lust , as if that person has done the act in the flesh. The attachment of the mind to the heart is unavoidable, and all- encompassing.

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. [So how can we as weak humans avoid it tho?]....And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are member's of Christ? Shall I then take the member's of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is written; "The two will become one flesh." 1 Cor. 7.

But Jesus also gave praise to a prostitute in the middle of a gathering with the higher- ups of the room. For her connection with Him was thru her heart and faithfulness. So it is not the person of prostitution, but the act connected with the hearts influence, leading to the devotion to it.

"For we are called to freedom , brothers. Only, do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh." Gal. 5:13.

Some say, "But by letting out the stress of it, it allows me, then, to continue my christian walk without discourse, or calamity within myself. Of course no one actually says that like I write it because who talks like that? Right?!! But you get the point..smile. But my answer to that is ..Really?!! "When was the last time that happened that it didn't heighten the need for it? Not to include the 20 minutes between..Does not scripture say, "Let not sin therefore REIGN in your mortal body's, to MAKE YOU obey it's passions. Do not present your member's to sin as instruments for unrighteousness." Rom. 6:12-14.

It becomes the issue of where do we gain our strength to live our life in Christ To answer that question.? For God tells us, "I can do anything from Him who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word..I have hidden your Word in my heart that I may not sin against you." Psalms 119: 9,11.

Instead of looking to see the allowances of God in conjunction with the world we are seeking His ways, the ways of righteousness. And when Satan raises his ugly head you win in that position: "No temptation has overtaken you but what is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Cor. 10:13.

Masterbation is an act, but that act outside of marriage, or the age of accountability is in connection to the slavery of the flesh, a Spirit- attached item. and in as much as it is connected in that way our thoughts must be in control. Our will must be placed by us into Gods hands, to make the way straight for us. To be flippant of this act is to be immature in the faith. God calls us not to have, even, a hint of sexual immorality in us. This is only possible by where we place ourselves in Him. Where we get our strength, what we want in life, to what spirit we pay attention to and follow.

 

[MatthiasProctor]

Yes, masturbation is a sin and can send a person to hell. To overcome this sin, one must pray fervently everyday, they also must abstain themselves from stimulation programs like pornography or lustful thoughts that can cause them to masturbate. If temptation does arrive, then pray, cry out to God for deliverance.

May Jesus bless you.

 

[StarryEyes]

Deuteronomy 23:10-11If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp. But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.
Leviticus 15:16:

“When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his entire body in water; he remains unclean until evening. Every piece of clothing and everything made of leather which gets semen on it must be washed with water; it remains unclean until evening. When a man sleeps with a woman and has an emission of semen, both are to wash in water; they remain unclean until evening."

This is just one translation, there are several.

 

[ServantStrike]

Deuteronomy 23:10-11If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp. But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.
Leviticus 15:16:

“When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his entire body in water; he remains unclean until evening. Every piece of clothing and everything made of leather which gets semen on it must be washed with water; it remains unclean until evening. When a man sleeps with a woman and has an emission of semen, both are to wash in water; they remain unclean until evening."

This is just one translation, there are several.

That's Old Testament law.

By that logic, it's wrong for a man to sleep with his wife 24 hours before going to church.

Plus, notice the wording... "that chanceth him by night" (nice choice with the KJV by the way). This would be something that happened while he was sleeping, and the dreams are probably not so pure. This is a theory, perhaps it means any emission, but I don't know that I'd make that leap.

 

[Joshm1962]

Paul said it is better to marry (if you can't overcome sexual passion) in order to concentrate on the Lord.

In in the same vein of thought, it IS better to masturbate in order to release yourself from sexual tension in order to concentrate in the Lord.

however, masturbation should be a celebration of your sexuality, a gift from God. Masturbatiin is never the end result of
pornography. Self stimulation to orgasm should encompass the wonderment of your sexual GIFT from God. A celebration of your body, not lust for another.

It is better to madturbate than to suffer intensely and therefore sidelining your worship.

How often ? Tricky question. But you will know. Intense Need for release physiologically produces masturbatiin. Again, better to masturbate than suffer needlessly and create spiritual anxiety.

Bottom line .... Single and horny ? Release the anxiety, celebrating your body, then pray. '"Thank you Lord for this amazing
body."

 

[Jesusismyrock]

Masturbation is not sinful but is often the result of or results in immoral thoughts. Yes you can masturbate without immoral thoughts, whoever claims it to be impossible is misinformed

 

[Utah]

For one, toddlers play with themselves

I didn't get past this.

 

[JonahLynx]

I really feel like these sort of topics should be limited to the women's and nonexistent men's forums... if you really feel the need to post it.

 

[Jak795]

I consider it a form of lust. Because you're often committing the act with sexual impurity in mind.