Question: "Masturbation - is it a sin according to the Bible?"

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Feb 9, 2017
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#1
The Bible does not mention masturbation or state whether or not masturbation is a sin. The passage most frequently associated with masturbation is the story of Onan in Genesis 38:9–10. Some interpret this passage to say that “spilling your seed” is a sin. However, that is not what the passage is saying. God condemned Onan not for “spilling his seed” but because Onan was rebellious. Onan refused to fulfill his duty to provide an heir for his deceased brother. The passage is not about masturbation but about fulfilling a family obligation.


A second passage sometimes used as evidence that masturbation is a sin is Matthew 5:27–30. Jesus speaks against having lustful thoughts and then says, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” While there is clearly a connection between lustful thoughts and masturbation, it is unlikely that Jesus was alluding to the specific sin of masturbation in this passage.

The Bible nowhere explicitly states that masturbation is a sin, but there is no question that the actions that usually lead to masturbation are sinful. Masturbation is nearly always the result of lustful thoughts, inappropriate sexual stimulation, and/or pornography. It is these problems that need to be dealt with. If the sins of lust, immoral thoughts, and pornography are forsaken and overcome, masturbation will become much less of an issue and temptation. Many people struggle with guilt concerning masturbation, when, in reality, they would be far better off repenting of the sins that lead them to masturbate.

With that said, is masturbation itself a sin? While the Bible does not directly answer this question, there definitely are some biblical principles that can be applied to the issue:

(1) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). If we cannot give God glory for something, we should not do it.

(2) “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). If we are not fully convinced that an activity is honoring to God, it is a sin.

(3) “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Our bodies have been redeemed and belong to God.

These great truths should have a powerful impact on what we do with our bodies. In light of these principles, many conclude that masturbation is always sinful. Masturbation is a questionable activity, at best—whether it can glorify God; whether it can be done in absolute confidence that it is right; and whether it can honor God as the owner of our bodies.

If done with absolutely no lust, immoral thoughts, or pornography, with full assurance that it is good and right, with thanks given to God for the pleasure it brings (see 1 Corinthians 10:30), is it still a sin to masturbate? The most we can say is maybe not. However, we have serious doubts whether this scenario ever truly exists.
 

Enow

Banned
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
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#2
Although the word "masturbation" is not in the scripture, it is "uncleanness" as listed as a work of the flesh.

Galatians 5:[SUP]19 [/SUP]Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,[SUP] 20 [/SUP]Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,[SUP]21 [/SUP]Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Listed in between lasciviousness which is sexual excessiveness and fornication which is sex before marriage, there really is no room for masturbation to escape as not being uncleanness.

Romans 6:[SUP]11 [/SUP]Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.[SUP] 12 [/SUP]Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.[SUP] 13 [/SUP]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.[SUP] 14 [/SUP]For sin shall not have dominion over you:...[SUP] 16 [/SUP]Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?....19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

2 Corinthians 12:21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

2 Peter 2:10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Romans 1:24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Ephesians 4:19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Ephesians 5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

1 Thessalonians 4:7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Romans 12:1I 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.[SUP] 2 [/SUP]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.

Jude 1:[SUP]21 [/SUP]Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.[SUP] 22 [/SUP]And of some have compassion, making a difference:[SUP]23[/SUP]And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.[SUP] 24 [/SUP]Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,[SUP]25 [/SUP]To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

The underlined bold portion regarding that fear in Jude 1:23 is referring to the consequence in the bold in Galatians 5:21 of not inheriting the kingdom of God. It is not about loss of salvation; it is about not being received by the Bridegroom at the pre trib rapture event for being found in unrepentant iniquity and thus becoming a castaway to be received later on.

1 Corinthians 9:[SUP]24 [/SUP]Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.[SUP] 25 [/SUP]And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.[SUP] 26 [/SUP]I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:[SUP] 27[/SUP]But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The prodigal son may have wasted his inheritance away for wild living and can never get it back again to be that vessel unto honor in His House, but he is still son for why there are vessels unto dishonor still in His House.

The call to repentance is now, to go before that throne of grace & ask Jesus for help to repent before the Bridegroom comes so they can be received by Him as a vessel unto honor in His House at the pre trib rapture event.

2 Timothy 2:[SUP]19 [/SUP]Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.[SUP] 20 [/SUP]But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.[SUP] 21 [/SUP]If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
 

Johnny_B

Senior Member
Mar 18, 2017
1,954
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#3
Can a person masturbate without having lustful thoughts? Because looking on a women with lust is as the sin of adultry. Matthew 5:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

It is hard to think of digging a ditch to masturbate, you have to be thinking of lustful things to masturbate. Now if you are married and you are thinking of your spouse I do not see a problem.
 

Prov910

Senior Member
Jan 10, 2017
880
47
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#4
Yet another masturbation thread in the bible forum? I think this topic has been thoroughly flogged. If you know what I mean. :)
 

Enow

Banned
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
39
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#5
Yet another masturbation thread in the bible forum? I think this topic has been thoroughly flogged. If you know what I mean. :)
Well, if it is not listed as a title on page one when coming into the Bible Discussion forum, then it will be asked again as any other topic.

I don't think people and even newbies will use the search engine for topics in this forum or any other christian forum really.

It is okay to have this topic fresh again as far as I can see. Just as the topic to remind us of our faith in Jesus Christ is okay.
 

Atlanta_GA

Junior Member
Feb 18, 2017
25
0
1
#6
Can a person masturbate without having lustful thoughts? Because looking on a women with lust is as the sin of adultry. Matthew 5:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

It is hard to think of digging a ditch to masturbate, you have to be thinking of lustful things to masturbate. Now if you are married and you are thinking of your spouse I do not see a problem.
Jesus does not say not to masturbate, as you say he says "That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. [SUP]29[/SUP] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Yes you can master yourself without using the spiritual eye; the results is not as intense without the eye, but is necessary for the above verse and it keep one from having what is called a wet dream, which is harder to control in sleep. The physical body and/or the gland in the brain needs this activity occasionally, so don't beat yourself up. (condemn yourself for giving the body what it needs).

 
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
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#7
Can a person masturbate without having lustful thoughts? Because looking on a women with lust is as the sin of adultry. Matthew 5:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

It is hard to think of digging a ditch to masturbate, you have to be thinking of lustful things to masturbate. Now if you are married and you are thinking of your spouse I do not see a problem.
It is still uncleanness which can be avoided since you have a spouse.
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
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#8
..............With that said, is masturbation itself a sin?
I.M.O. masturbation is not a sin if you e.g. do it thinking about your spouse. Imagine you're on a long trip, three months away from home, and someone is tempting you. Is it not better to go to your hotel room and have virtual sex with your spouse than to commit adultery?

I think that the idea of masturbation being a sin in itself comes from the RCC.
 
Dec 21, 2012
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#9
I.M.O. masturbation is not a sin if you e.g. do it thinking about your spouse. Imagine you're on a long trip, three months away from home, and someone is tempting you. Is it not better to go to your hotel room and have virtual sex with your spouse than to commit adultery?
There is no exception given for when masturbation is okay.

Ephesians 5:[SUP]2 [/SUP]And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.[SUP] 3 [/SUP]But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

I think that the idea of masturbation being a sin in itself comes from the RCC.
Better to go by what the Bible says rather than presume that the RCC had anything to do with it being called a sin.
 
Dec 21, 2012
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#10
Imagine you're on a long trip, three months away from home, and someone is tempting you. Is it not better to go to your hotel room and have virtual sex with your spouse than to commit adultery? .
This is why we have Jesus Christ in us as our Good Shepherd to help us to follow Him and keep our minds on good things.

James 1:[SUP]14 [/SUP]But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.[SUP] 15 [/SUP]Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.[SUP]16 [/SUP]Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Romans 13:[SUP]14 [/SUP]But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

1 Corinthians 12:[SUP]12 [/SUP]Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.[SUP]13 [/SUP]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.

Jude 1:[SUP]21 [/SUP]Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.[SUP] 22 [/SUP]And of some have compassion, making a difference:[SUP] 23 [/SUP]And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.[SUP] 24 [/SUP]Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,[SUP] 25 [/SUP]To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.[SUP] 7 [/SUP]And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.[SUP] 8 [/SUP]Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.[SUP] 9 [/SUP]Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
2,193
463
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#11
This is why we have Jesus Christ in us as our Good Shepherd to help us to follow Him and keep our minds on good things.
Sex with your spouse is a good thing.

I'm not sure you're qualified to speak on this matter. From your profile:
Marital Status:
not married
In the situation Marcelo mentioned, masturbation is not a sin.
 
Nov 6, 2017
674
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#12
This is why we have Jesus Christ in us as our Good Shepherd to help us to follow Him and keep our minds on good things.

James 1:[SUP]14 [/SUP]But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.[SUP] 15 [/SUP]Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.[SUP]16 [/SUP]Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Romans 13:[SUP]14 [/SUP]But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

1 Corinthians 12:[SUP]12 [/SUP]Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.[SUP]13 [/SUP]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.

Jude 1:[SUP]21 [/SUP]Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.[SUP] 22 [/SUP]And of some have compassion, making a difference:[SUP] 23 [/SUP]And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.[SUP] 24 [/SUP]Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,[SUP] 25 [/SUP]To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.[SUP] 7 [/SUP]And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.[SUP] 8 [/SUP]Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.[SUP] 9 [/SUP]Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
You are listed as not married in your bio. In a real church you would be prohibited from engaging in these discussions since you are not married and especially to single women.


The Author of Hebrews said the marriage bed is undefined, as a non married male,. you should stop any and all discussions even online about these topics, you have no experience in marriage or a marriage relationship and the counsel you give is fruitless to married and even single men & women.
 
Nov 6, 2017
674
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#13
I.M.O. masturbation is not a sin if you e.g. do it thinking about your spouse. Imagine you're on a long trip, three months away from home, and someone is tempting you. Is it not better to go to your hotel room and have virtual sex with your spouse than to commit adultery?

I think that the idea of masturbation being a sin in itself comes from the RCC.
Mutual masturbation between married couples is common and is some cases is the only way a married couple can be intimate due to physical issues with the man or woman.

What a married couple does is their own business. My wife and I counseled a young married Christian couple on the very scenario you brought up. They both traveled a lot for work.

Their answer might not be another couples answer. They skyped and that is all I will say and what they described doing on skype was not SIN.
 
P

pckts

Guest
#15
You are listed as not married in your bio. In a real church you would be prohibited from engaging in these discussions since you are not married and especially to single women.


The Author of Hebrews said the marriage bed is undefined, as a non married male,. you should stop any and all discussions even online about these topics, you have no experience in marriage or a marriage relationship and the counsel you give is fruitless to married and even single men & women.
According to you, unmarried priests and Christ himself couldn't engage in these discussions.
 
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pckts

Guest
#16
You have no spouse so how would you know.
Because we know that sex with a spouse is not a sin, and masturbation is uncleanness and a sin. Do we have to be married to discern this from scripture?
 
Sep 6, 2014
7,034
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#17
Ephesians 5:3
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
 
Nov 6, 2017
674
12
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#18
According to you, unmarried priests and Christ himself couldn't engage in these discussions.
Unmarried Priest are not a good thing and never have been and the RCC was wrong in mandating this and the sisterhood of Nuns.
 
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pckts

Guest
#20
Unmarried Priest are not a good thing and never have been and the RCC was wrong in mandating this and the sisterhood of Nuns.
I agree, as disciples of Christ were married, and nowhere in scripture does it say religious figures shouldn't marry. They did it so they would have to devout and leave all their resources to the church, greedy and counterproductive to creating competent leaders. You avoided my point however.