Do you think masturbation is a sin?

Again it is about harming another or not no more or less do not destroy another for whom Christ died

What does this have to do with anything I said? Also, what scripture supports this assertion?

I think this is a real step toward a workable theology of all of this. Do I read you right, that if masturbation can be done in a way that hurts no one (even you) it's okay? If that is true, then it would be the responsibility of those who do not approve of mastrubation to explain who it hurts. This they have done at least somewhat already, by saying it hurts your attitude that might affect a potential spouse, or that it hurts the dignity of your own body. But I think others have pointed out that while those are sometimes the case, they are not always the case. Is that where we stand on the issue?

Well said. It's worth noting that the burden of proof is for apparent or actual harm, not merely potential harm.

That it may hurt under certain circumstances is not enough reason to say something is wrong. They must prove it must hurt under all circumstances.

It's kind of hard to argue with unfounded assertions. Any case where masturbation would replace actual sex in a relationship would be a case with much deeper other problems. The soothsaying about it is unnecessary.

It sounds like we have a challenge. I can see only where it would hurt if it leads to a sex life that is self-centered and will not reach out, or if it has fantasies that amount to "adultery in the heart" as Jesus spoke of. But I find that neither of those are common among people I have talked to. Let's see if anyone else accepts the challenge to produce a possible way masturbation could hurt someone in more than occasional circumstances.

I do understand what you where saying in that post Barly and agree with the heart of it. Its just you won't find scripture talking about damaging the bonding factor or tainting the marridge. That's what I'm asserting is unfounded.

It's not just about sexual discontinuity, there are times in a marriage when you may not have sex (such as during lochia). I don't believe there is a basis to say that masturbation during those times is stealing from her. Certainly there are things you can do together for relief, and those should be a priority. But I do not see the basis for saying that masturbation during that time is harmful to the relationship in any way.

In such a case lust isn't even a factor in that act, as one may think of ones spouse freely.

I like challenges Lets play.
Good thought. I'd counter by saying that excessive masturbation would be a product of said self-centeredness, not a cause. Though I would admit that it would help enable someone to stay in a place of self-centerdness.
In this case adultery of the heart is the sin, not the action that accompanies it.
The later problem is probably fairly common in general. But I suppose that is neither here nor there.
Lets do.

What do you suppose is a proper amount of time and effort required to "get married". It may be age, culture dependent, or whatever. If we compared notes, some would say they waited years to find someone, but only days to get married. Others would say they have too many options, and can't decide. Others would report a decade of "broken heart". "Get married" may be easier said than done, so I'd like to sound you out on just what you think that process should entail. So, I'll ask you and anyone else who cares to get involved: If you propose to "get married" because of a sex drive that "causes" masturbation, what steps should you follow?

When you are a Christian your body is not yours; it is a temple.

1 COR 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Rom 6: 12-13
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Rom 12: 1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 COR 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This means He will never allow temptation beyond what we can overcome...He will always present an option for us to choose what is right. So, we will not be forced in the natural to succumb to masterbate because we have no control over our natural urges.

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Webster does not define God's word for me--God does. And sometimes, if necessary, His people who know God's nature and have studied His Word diligently like pastors, elders, and mature believers. Fornication is any sexual act BEFORE marriage. Adultry is any sexual act (including fantasy) outside marriage AFTER marriage. For God, the qualifier is totally how sex is related to marriage.

God said in his word he made sex for marriage; He shouldn't have to cover every other detail. If He said He created it for marriage then anything else you do sexually is obviously sinful. Hang an "out of order until married" sign on your genitals! And until married, adopt a HANDS-OFF POLICY. When you do this the URGES will subside and go away. Can anyone seriously imagine Paul masterbating? Why not? ...Cause he was holy, consecrated, and set apart by God as a disciple?

Well? If you are a Christian, so are YOU!

Seems like the underlying theme on this thread FOR masterbation people are saying it is just a natural urge and it isnt sinful if you seek a physical release like for example: going to the bathroom. Urinating is not a choice, but masterbating is. When anyone makes a consciously BAD choice against God's will---It is sin. Sin opens a door to more demonic influence and temptation like an open door party--the devil has a legal right/permission to harrass anyone and they have invited it.

When someome masterbates it STIRS UP LUST INSIDE THEM. Itincreases their lustful thoughts and actions. It doesn't DECREASE sexual cravings it INCREASES THEM! Even if you could manage to masterbate just once without any lustful thoughts before, during, or after (which I highly doubt). This is not the total issue; there are TWO sins. The thoughts and the actual sex act.

After you have switched on the sexual part of yourself, I am not sure it is possible to separate thoughts of sex and the feelings that your body has during a sex act; does anyone really have that much control? honestly? And the thoughts are not the only issue here....it is that you are touching yourself in a way that is made for your spouse only by God.

One must know what words in the English language truly mean in order to understand it completely. We have a dictionary for a reason. You have to have a standard definition for words in any given language or else you are falsely relying on the ideas of different people who can have different interpretations of a word. This is why we have a standard definition so that there is no confusion on what something means.

No, here we go again, lust and masturbation are not mutually exclusive. It does not increase sexual cravings, it actually reduces them since you are relieving them. So, in your mind the solution is to bottle these sexual urges away, which I would think is more dangerous and would lead to lusting and even fornication under certain circumstances. Hanging an "out of order" sign on our genitals seems a bit out of touch. Not everyone has a low sex drive and those with a higher sex drive are supposed to bottle up those feelings? When you bottle up feelings, that bottle will eventually burst.

This is just experience a fact of the flesh thats all not meant towards anyone or being condemning scripture would be be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove
In love nothing else

1 Corinthians 6:12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
To each person betwen them and God, I cannot say it is good for another or bad for another
2 Corinthians 10:6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
No ones obedience is full or ever will be ones obedience is only full in and by belief and this is only by God himself through his Son

Again what does God tell you personally. i know what the world says and I know what Paul says about if you can't control yourself then marry. Well what was Paul saying find a way to keep from harming your neighbor.
I am not promoting any wrong doing I am personally a person that does not approve in it for me between God and me
Now each person needs to decide in themselves whether or not this is good for them or not and are satisfied there and do not escalate to harming another as I am sure there are legalists that might get involved being convinced as to the letter of the Law as religous leaders can but not all though, I think they forget that sin takes or maybe not ocassio by the Commandment. Either way there is always someone trying to condem others and Jesus condemned no one what is up with that, He did not condemn that woman in John 8, but he did say after saying and neither do I condemn you go and leave your life of sin. You see it is not so much as we are to leave our life of sin as we are by experience to see that we can't be righteous ever in and of our selves that we need a Savior who is righteous that be Christ. And we need not go and try to be righteous rather we need to trust God thorugh Christ and be counted righteous like Rahab the Waht? The Harlot was what? righteous what? Mary Magdelene? Bottom line to me if you are not harming anyone including self and you are honest how can this be a sin, and if you are harming someone then quit it for consideration in Love God's love for them and to them why should one ever destroy another mans servant for whom Christ died
And I tell you they do by commnadiing the devil knows that sin takes occasion by the commandment so each of you decide for yourself between God and you only and keep to yourself

100% true BabyGurl, and unfortunately men wil not be honest with their wives because of fear. lieing to spouses is so prevalent in relationships and it is sad. I am married and have been for 30 years now. I was not forever Faithful nad was taken astray in the past and I was honest about it and was forgiven by her. I have not since been taken away or overcome. Even though there have been many a chances since, but by the grace of God there God by my trust overcame not I but God through me. I can only say honesty is the best policy.
When one is honest against being dishonest they have no notes to check period

I will play, I have been married three times over that cause, I looked and latched on I had all the wrong reasons being for sex, and therefore the first two did not work out. The third has and it is not about sex except in the begining. but friendship of Love has been the most important and telling each other truth. How many of you men can come home after having lust of another woman seeing her breasts through that shirt or a sexy swimsuit you know your thing that started to get hard as you were talking to that woman, How many of you can go home and tell your wife that this took place in you personally? What if you could do this being Honest. Now this goes for the women as well how many of you could tell your man?
I am so elated that my significant other has after 30 years never been jealous and Love of God is what? Not even after I had strayed once, never Jealous and that can only come from God for that kind of LOVE is God's read it 1 Cor 13. So Jealously is of this world. And by her never being jealous, envious, seeking her own the true attributes of God I left and stopped and could care less today for lustful thoughts I have also recieved the Love of God and you all it is unnatural and awesome. But you all decide what is best for you Honesty is best for me, and if you get mad or anyone gets mad over honesty, then those that get mad would rather you lie because that is what they do and approve of it. They would be mad in most cases because you told truth and they can't because of fear. And I know that perfect LOVE casts out all fear
Love you all here

And how are you doing with this post of yours well I hope

First the thought comes then one ponders the thought then sin is born this is why we are to not continue in thought, for as a man /woman thinks the desire of whatever the thought it increases and controls the flesh and thus whatever it is is born
good or bad. tha tis why Paul said to focus on whatever is good, perfect and correct upon these things focus

I think this is the bottom line. The Bible is silent. All this thread is about then, is thoughts that are worthy to weighed as we decide?

[Those 2 verses from Leviticus do not speicify if the seed that must be washed comes from masturbation or accidentally during sex. Since you are unclean until nightfall, that suggests daytime emission, which makes the odds mastrubation, but it is not for certain.]