Masturbation...Is it really that wrong?

[Matthew]

Are we as Christians to simply "put up with it", and leave it at that? What about people who never marry; are they doomed to a lifetime of tortured feelings and inner turmoil?

Well that is the big question when it comes to things like this, some would say it's wrong and don't do it but they conviniently forget to follow through with a solution to deal with the problems created by abstaining, however it is equally wrong to push the idea that masturbation is O.K. until someone can offer an apparently non-sinful alternative, there's no easy answer and I struggle with the circular nature of this issue the same as everyone does.

But it is another example of the right road being the hardest to traverse, if we all wanted easy answers we surely wouldn't hold to the Christian faith.

Obvioulsy making it a taboo subject does nothing but create a deeper problem and I like that here these topics can be discussed openly with a good amount of tolerance for all views, however while I understand your idea of focusing the energy on other things to avoid active lusting, I still fail to see that you could stop focusing on the thing you lust after and continue to succesfully masturbate, the act of masturabtion could not be completed unless the thing you are focused on aroused you, perhaps that is a matter of mental discipline and channelling emotional energy etc.. I'd have to look into that further to give an informed opinion, although I accept it may be possible.

 

[glfjb]

wow...this is intense...I came here to try to get an answer and epic failed...
i beleive that even though it might not be perfect...everyone can believe what is right and wrong...
Yes we need to Follow Gods commandments and rules, but when it comes down to it...its up to us and our free will

since I was a young girl I have always thought anything but making out unitl you are married is sinful and wrong...I have grown up..had some expereinces...mostly bad...that have taught me some lessons.
I have masturbated several times...and I always feel terrible about it afterwards...
yes...its a high...it feels good...but would God want me playing with myself...instead of going to him when I am tired or weary??
I dont know...

 

[Christianrkchk89]

Take another look at that final definition of lust, particularly the part I have placed in bold. That's the distinction right there: "for the flesh of another". The Bible says nothing about focusing on your own body, or even on God. The "self-indulgent" label in a few of the above definitions seems to be used in the sense of "a desire to override the rights of others", which would be applicable in something like rape, or a person who prefers porn to having sex with their spouse. Lust is primarily wrong because it involves treating another individual as a sex object, rather than someone to be loved and cherished selflessly. But with something like masturbation, if you're not focusing on anyone but your own body, or God, how would that be considered "self-indulgent"? You wouldn't be fixating on anyone, so there'd be no "self-centeredness" involved.

Why in the world would you think about God when you were doing something like that?

&

I don't think you have to have a specific person in mind when talking about "the flesh of another." To me it seems like you'd be doing an act like that because you want to have sex, but either your significant other doesn't or you're not married. So you're doing that because you wish you were having sex... you're craving the flesh of another (even though you may not have anyone to think of specifically).

&

In another forum thread out there about porn... it was stated that porn/masturbation is used because we as humans want to be able to have what we want right here and right now. And pretty much with either you can get that arousal without even having to have another person present. You need instant gratification... and that's pretty much what self-indulgence is. You are focusing in on your needs and desires or intimacy and acting on them... when you feel like it.

 

[Maddog]

For those that want to argue that masturbation is wrong, I'd suggest approaching it from a natural law position, ie. the misuse use of the sexual faculty.

 

[Maddog]

Does the Bible say strickly thats its a sin to smoke, Abuse an animal, listen to rock music, sniff crack, or smoke weed---no It dosn't, but there are verses in there that helps us draw a conclusion that it is.

There are verses in the Bible that can help you draw pretty much any conclusion you want. For my part, I've never seen any convincing biblical arguments that smoking, listening to rock music or the use of drugs to be intrinsically immoral.

 

[HumbleSaint]

There are verses in the Bible that can help you draw pretty much any conclusion you want. For my part, I've never seen any convincing biblical arguments that smoking, listening to rock music or the use of drugs to be intrinsically immoral.

Well what should we do since there are so many people interpretating the Bible in different ways. Should be just live like the devil. I think the reason so many people have so many different interpretations is because they allow their flesh to get into the way.

 

[Maddog]

Well what should we do since there are so many people interpretating the Bible in different ways. Should be just live like the devil. I think the reason so many people have so many different interpretations is because they allow their flesh to get into the way.

Flesh, biases, simply not being perfect all get in the way of proper biblical interpretation. And without an authority outside the text of the Bible to condemn or uphold certain interpretations, none of know if our understanding is correct. In short, I don't think sola Scriptura works, but I suspect that's a topic for another thread.

 

[MrMuffiekins]

I honestly don't see a problem with it. There's nothing in the bible that speaks out against it, it's safe and it's not fornication. Only thing i can really find a problem with is the lust thing because obviously if you're masturbating you're looking at something to masturbate to, and lets say it how it is people most likely watch porn lusting after the people in the videos. Other than that i don't see a problem with it.

 

[HumbleSaint]

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have here own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2
Can we masterbate to avoid fornication, No! the Bible says the other alternative is marriage.

The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 1 Corinthians 7:4 A person does not have power over their own body---They can't masterbate. Plane and simple.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Why in the world would you think about God when you were doing something like that?

Well, God did give us our sex drives to begin with, didn't He? So, why not do all we can to honor Him with it?

I don't think you have to have a specific person in mind when talking about "the flesh of another." To me it seems like you'd be doing an act like that because you want to have sex, but either your significant other doesn't or you're not married. So you're doing that because you wish you were having sex... you're craving the flesh of another (even though you may not have anyone to think of specifically).

I disagree on this point. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting sex; the problem is using that desire in the wrong way. To fixate on the opposite sex while masturbating would be lustful, and therefore a sin. However, its almost impossible to control every thought that pops into our heads, whether masturbation's involved or not. What we can do is decide what we will do with that thought, after it enters our mind. If a person is masturbating, and a lustful thought enters their mind, they have the free will to choose whether they will focus on it, or kick it right back out.

In another forum thread out there about porn... it was stated that porn/masturbation is used because we as humans want to be able to have what we want right here and right now. And pretty much with either you can get that arousal without even having to have another person present. You need instant gratification... and that's pretty much what self-indulgence is. You are focusing in on your needs and desires for intimacy and acting on them... when you feel like it.

OK, so by your definition, any kind of sexual desire at all is a sin before you're married?! I agree that lust and porn are sinful, but what most don't understand is that both are twisted versions of what God originally created.

Let me put this another way: to all the married folks out there, did you ever feel any kind of sexual desire towards your spouse, before you were married to them? Of course you did; that's one of many reasons you started dating in the first place. Sexual desire, in and of itself, is not a sin...but using it in ways that dishonor God or others is. Can you name one thing that is inherently damaging about the physical act of masturbation itself? Lust doesn't count for this one, because we've already established that's a sin. I'm talking about the activity itself; is there any inherent harm in it, whatsoever?

 

[LoryMcB]

You guys do realize that your never gonna come to an agreement right?

Totaly right...everyone's going to try to defend their own point of view...

 

[Vidy]

There are verses in the Bible that can help you draw pretty much any conclusion you want. For my part, I've never seen any convincing biblical arguments that smoking, listening to rock music or the use of drugs to be intrinsically immoral.

Well, you could always say that the bible says that your body is a temple of God that should be cared for, and since smoking is obviously not healthy, it's a sin... As would binge eating and the like. And as for drugs, many of them are illegal, and we are still bound to man's law (unless it prevents us from glorifying God). For the legal ones, I'm preeettty sure that drugs were a problem by some people (like witches or something) and God condemned them for it, but I have no specific examples of that, so it may just be my imagination lol.

As for rock music, it's not a sin anyway. Sure, it may have ORIGINATED in voodoo, but now, it's not bad at all. It's nice to listen to, and there's plenty of Christian rock you can listen to. Of course, it's still a sin if you're filling yourself with junk about sex and drug abuse, but otherwise, it's fine =D

 

[HumbleSaint]

Well, you could always say that the bible says that your body is a temple of God that should be cared for, and since smoking is obviously not healthy, it's a sin... As would binge eating and the like. And as for drugs, many of them are illegal, and we are still bound to man's law (unless it prevents us from glorifying God). For the legal ones, I'm preeettty sure that drugs were a problem by some people (like witches or something) and God condemned them for it, but I have no specific examples of that, so it may just be my imagination lol.

As for rock music, it's not a sin anyway. Sure, it may have ORIGINATED in voodoo, but now, it's not bad at all. It's nice to listen to, and there's plenty of Christian rock you can listen to. Of course, it's still a sin if you're filling yourself with junk about sex and drug abuse, but otherwise, it's fine =D

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.Amos 5:23 See the Lord basicly said that He will not hear a certain music. And a couple of verses before that it talked about the day of the Lord. Amos is a book of prophacy and I think that it is about the music of the end times because the Day of the Lord as defined in other books of the Bible is His second comming. Then If you jump to Amos 8:3 It says that the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day. And that is exactly what they are, it is getting harder and harder to find a good church that does not play this modern rock n roll worship in churches.

So if you agree that rock was used in voodoo( and the reason I believe it was is because it has a repeatative beat that altererd their stae of consciousness and helped them comunicate with their demonic spirits) and the Bible says that which is born of the flesh is flesh and cannot please God, Then how could rock ever be used to glorify Christ if it was born of the flesh. I have been delivered form 13 years of rock music and I played rock on my guitar for 8 years so if there is anyone qualified to say that it is of the devil it is me. And I know the effect it had on my decitions and how much more victory I have over sin since I quit.

I can about garantee everyone who supports masterbation also thinks that it is ok listens to rock, rap, pop, hip-hop or some other demonic music like that , but this is a whole new subject for a whole new thread.

 

[Harley_Angel]

Humble, you should take a history of rock and roll class sometime. Rock and roll did not originate out of voodoo. In fact, modern rock can trace it's roots to Tin Pan Alley and the mixing of country and r& b. Voodoo had nothing to do with it at all.

 

[MahogonySnail]

Yeah and hymns like Amazing Grace..the tune is based all on the black keys from the blues scale which is supposed to be from voodoo.

 

[Maddog]

Well, you could always say that the bible says that your body is a temple of God that should be cared for, and since smoking is obviously not healthy, it's a sin... As would binge eating and the like. And as for drugs, many of them are illegal, and we are still bound to man's law (unless it prevents us from glorifying God). For the legal ones, I'm preeettty sure that drugs were a problem by some people (like witches or something) and God condemned them for it, but I have no specific examples of that, so it may just be my imagination lol.

Well the verses about the body being the temple of the Holy Ghost are really in reference to sexual immorality. But yes, of course I believe we should respect our bodies, but as I said, that does not make these activities in and of themselves sinful.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Yeah and hymns like Amazing Grace..the tune is based all on the black keys from the blues scale which is supposed to be from voodoo.

Actually, we don't know for certain who composed the music for "Amazing Grace". The lyrics were written by a slavemaster-turned-Christian named John Newton, but the music is credited to "Anonymous". It does, however, rely on the black keys of the piano, which were once referred to as the "slave scale".

 

[doodles91]

Why does it seem EVERY SINGLE TIME I log into the forums - the homepage has something about Masturbation, Porn or "My husband has been cheating on me"? I must have seen a thousand different strains on the husband thing. You know, although I'm glad people want counsel and help on this kind of stuff - there could be a more appropriate setting. For example: i've often heard it said that guys and girls shouldn't talk about these kind of things together - b/c it can become a form of sensuality, if you know what I mean.

Just sayin'

 

[Maddog]

For example: i've often heard it said that guys and girls shouldn't talk about these kind of things together - b/c it can become a form of sensuality, if you know what I mean.

No, I don't know what you mean.

 

[DiligentDale]

This is a valid question. Anyone who thinks its cut and dry, I think you are oversimplifying things. Even for a 35 year old Man, this is a serious point.

I'd like to also say, to the person who posted, Oh just go get a husband or a wife. Is it really that easy? Help me then.

I still wonder myself if this is a sin or not. I don't feel guilt after the act, but i know I do feel something emotionally, and I really wish there was a straight forward answer. But I also know this - God gave men their bodies, every aspect of the man's body, and nervous system, respiration system, and reproductive system was designed and approved by God.

If he knows that sometimes a Man truly needs this desire to be fulfilled, why would he make the act unclean? I can't understand that. Yes. Lust is sin. But doesn't lust start with the eyes? in other words, Imagine there's a man that has been blind since birth, he has no idea what women look like.. never seen one, can it be lust if he solves his own medical needs? YES MEDICAL. If you think it doesn't have a medical result, you are fooling yourself. I can't speak for women, but men Need a release, its a proven scientific fact.

But I still cannot say whether it is a sin or not. I ask God to search my heart, and if there is sin in my heart reveal it to me. I can't say He's ever mentioned this. I personally feel like as long as you have a heart for God, and have the desire to do the right thing in every situation, and you don't involve pornography, or any other foulness into it, that it's a part of Living a clean life after God.