So...Is masterbation a sin or not?

[Crypt Keeper 2010]

Yeah. I said. Is masterbation a sin?
Is rubbing yourself, chocking your chicken, rubbing one out, w/e you want to call it a sin?

Unsaved til you prove me otherwise,
Coop.





My friends call me Coop.
But you can call me Mister Cooper. Thank you very little.Have a nice day! wink  

[Rednal]

Many people go into the Bible for information on the subject beginning with the belief that it's wrong and a determination to prove it, no matter how out-of-context they have to take things.

Other people are "It's sexual, therefore sinful", which is just as silly because it provides no reasoning or evidence whatsoever.

Interestingly, however, to the best of my knowledge, masturbation is not specifically included with the list of sexual sins in the bible. Adultery, bestiality, etc. One would think that, considering it's a common issue, this sort of thing would have been mentioned if it was thought to be a problem. The male body consistently produces semen, and it's thought that masturbation is a way of removing excess amounts of that stuff and allowing the body to continue functioning as normal. So do I think it's sinful? From my readings and sources, it is apparently not.


Though, there is that little issue of masturbating to pornography (for example), when the idea of adultery comes up... so perhaps it's not just what you're doing, but how.  

[emorhconom esor]

To lust outside of marriage is a sin. "but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28. That includes infidelity as well due to the fact that at that time girls were married off after they had their first period. Thus it is a sin.  

[Rednal]

...And what does lust for women (or men, I suppose, for the ladies) have to do with masturbation being a sin? Outside of what I already mentioned, I mean.  

[Father Delacroix]

Leviticus 15:16-18
“‘When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Any clothing or leather that has semen on it must be washed with water, and it will be unclean till evening. When a man has sexual relations with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both of them must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening."  

[manticore has left]

The Hoot Man

Unsaved til you prove me otherwise,
Coop.

Just curious: what exactly do you mean by "til you prove me otherwise"?  

[Nindo Naruto]

It is not a sin trust me. Why do you think your happy when you do it? Isn't that what Jesus wants you to be... happy? Of course, therefore it is not a sin. My mother is a true Christan and says its not.  

[Garland-Green]

Capt Steve Rogers

It is not a sin trust me. Why do you think your happy when you do it? Isn't that what Jesus wants you to be... happy? Of course, therefore it is not a sin. My mother is a true Christan and says its not.

Whether something makes you happy or not is not an indicator that something is right. The human heart is deceitful above all things. (Jeremiah 17:9) As a fallen being, how do we know that the reason why we are taking pleasure in doing the things we do is not because of our fallen nature?  

[Garland-Green]

The Bible does not discuss masturbation at all. This seems a little odd since it is such a strong and prevalent human event. And, given that Leviticus has so much to say about sexuality, one would think it natural that the subject would be covered. But it isn't. Masturbation is not specifically declared to be sinful. Nevertheless, we must be cautious to pronounce something to be sinful or not sinful when God has not discussed it. Therefore, we have to derive principles from scripture on related sexual issues and see if we can wisely apply them to the subject of masturbation.

First of all, sex was created by God for procreative purposes, physical enjoyment, and the demonstration of intimacy between a husband and a wife. In this context, the sexual act is intended to occur in a healthy marriage relationship between husband and wife in purity and holiness. In contrast to this, masturbation is the self-stimulation to the point of sexual release without the gifting of a spouse. It would seem that masturbation is a denial of the sexual design of God for couples. But, is it sinful? Again, answering this question is difficult because the Bible does not pronounce it as sin. Nevertheless, there is the principle of purity that is obviously true. Does masturbation fall under the category of purity?

We can say this for sure. If masturbation involves sexual fantasies and/or pornography, then it is certainly not pure and is very sinful. The Bible clearly teaches that our minds are as important to God as our bodies are and that we are to remain pure in both. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart," [Matt. 5:27-28]. Jesus is saying that thinking lustful thoughts is sinful. Therefore, masturbation involving sexual fantasies (at least not of one's spouse) is undoubtedly sinful.

But this brings up the issue of a spouse masturbating while thinking of his/her spouse. Is it sinful? Again, since the Bible does not declare it sinful, can we? Let's say that a wife is incapacitated by an accident and is in the hospital for an extended period of time. Is it alright for the husband to masturbate if he thinks only of his wife in order to relieve sexual tension? Again, without a specific declaration of scripture it is difficult pronounce it as sinful. On the one hand, his body is not his own and it is for his wife and he is not to be mastered by anything (1 Cor. 6:12). But on the other hand, she is not available. Would his masturbation be sinful should he commit it if he only thought of his wife? I cannot say for sure.

Then again, what if someone masturbates with absolutely no sexual fantasy of any sort. Is it then sinful? Again, this is difficult to answer. But, since the Bible doesn't condemn or condone it, can we make dogmatic assertions? Furthermore, what if a person masturbates in order to reduce the sexual urge in an attempt to not commit fornication? Certainly, actual fornication would be a sin, and masturbation would be preferable in this instance. But does this mean that the person is being mastered by the flesh? If so, then that would be wrong. But, does it mean then that a self-release of sexual tension is then acceptable if it is to avoid fornication? Again, since the Bible does not declare masturbation a sin, I cannot say it is.

Let's look at some verses that speak of sexual morality. I will comment after each one.

1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
The Greek word for "immorality" is porneia which means illicit sexual intercourse, i.e., fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, etc. The English word "pornography" is derived from this Greek word.
Eph. 5:3, "But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints."
Again, the word for "immorality" is porneia.
Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."
Again, the word for "immorality" is porneia.
1 Thess. 4:2-5, "For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God."
Again, the word for "sexual immorality" is porneia. The reference in verse four to "own vessel" is to having a wife so that fornication would be avoided.

Conclusion

The goal of the Christian life is to be pure in thought and deed. I believe that the issue of masturbation comes down to this. Therefore, I believe that though masturbation under certain circumstances may not be sinful, the desire to be sexual pure and holy should move the Christian to avoid it. Instead, he or she should seek to master the body and not give into its desires. The fight against masturbation can be a lesson in controlling the body which can have great spiritual benefits. Giving in to masturbation can have spiritual consequences and mastering the body can bring great spiritual benefit. Perhaps God did not mention masturbation the Bible because He is so aware of our sinful tendencies, our situations, our difficulties, etc., and desires that we seek holiness and purity by seeking to master our own flesh. If God had declared that it was not a sin, then we can rest assured that we would misuse the act and become enslaved by it.

If, however, you are bound by masturbation and war against it because it masters you, then you continually need to go to the cross and ask the Lord to forgive you. Also, pray and ask the Lord to provide you a spouse so that you would not fall into bondage of the flesh.

What about Onan in Gen. 38:9?

Some erringly cite Onan in Gen. 38:9 who spilled his seed on the ground, as a justification for masturbation. But this is a mistake since this is not dealing with masturbation.

"And Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so it came about that when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground, in order not to give offspring to his brother," (Gen. 38:9).

This is not about masturbation. It is about the failure of Onan to give children to Tamar, the widow of his brother, and fulfill his duty to raise offspring in his brother's name. By refusing his obligation, he sinned  

[Rednal]

On the other hand, how do we know we're not feeling guilty because we've been raised in a culture that often says it's wrong (without reference to specific details for or against, usually taken out-of-context when provided at all), so we've been fooled into believing something is wrong when it isn't?


About that Leviticus quote? The whole chapter is kind of interesting; first of all, the end of the chapter specifically and individually summarizes what the rest of the chapter talks about, and emission of semen is noted as being different than normal discharges. It it was just like any other discharge, there would be no need for a special note. The chapter also discusses sacrifices to cover sin, and says that for normal discharges (BEFORE it talks about the emission of semen), what sacrifices are to be made. It mentions sacrifices again later, discussing women in particular. At no point does it mention sin/burnt offerings for the emission of semen. Which you'd think it would, if it were considered sinful. Instead, it basically says "Go wash yourself afterward and practice good hygiene". So, yeah.  

[Crypt Keeper 2010]

Rednal

Many people go into the Bible for information on the subject beginning with the belief that it's wrong and a determination to prove it, no matter how out-of-context they have to take things.

Other people are "It's sexual, therefore sinful", which is just as silly because it provides no reasoning or evidence whatsoever.

Interestingly, however, to the best of my knowledge, masturbation is not specifically included with the list of sexual sins in the bible. Adultery, bestiality, etc. One would think that, considering it's a common issue, this sort of thing would have been mentioned if it was thought to be a problem. The male body consistently produces semen, and it's thought that masturbation is a way of removing excess amounts of that stuff and allowing the body to continue functioning as normal. So do I think it's sinful? From my readings and sources, it is apparently not.


Though, there is that little issue of masturbating to pornography (for example), when the idea of adultery comes up... so perhaps it's not just what you're doing, but how.

With all of your hoorah and horse play of words and posturing, yet you cannot produce a simple answer of either Yes or No that masterbation is a sin or not.
Coop  

[Crypt Keeper 2010]

Ikatsui-Karite Manticore

The Hoot Man

Unsaved til you prove me otherwise,
Coop.

Just curious: what exactly do you mean by "til you prove me otherwise"?

Do you understand the answer to the question or the question to the answer is your problem?
Coop  

[Garland-Green]

The Hoot Man

Rednal

Many people go into the Bible for information on the subject beginning with the belief that it's wrong and a determination to prove it, no matter how out-of-context they have to take things.

Other people are "It's sexual, therefore sinful", which is just as silly because it provides no reasoning or evidence whatsoever.

Interestingly, however, to the best of my knowledge, masturbation is not specifically included with the list of sexual sins in the bible. Adultery, bestiality, etc. One would think that, considering it's a common issue, this sort of thing would have been mentioned if it was thought to be a problem. The male body consistently produces semen, and it's thought that masturbation is a way of removing excess amounts of that stuff and allowing the body to continue functioning as normal. So do I think it's sinful? From my readings and sources, it is apparently not.


Though, there is that little issue of masturbating to pornography (for example), when the idea of adultery comes up... so perhaps it's not just what you're doing, but how.

With all of your hoorah and horse play of words and posturing, yet you cannot produce a simple answer of either Yes or No that masterbation is a sin or not.
Coop

There is no Yes or No answer to your question. It is dependent on the situation and motives. That is an honest, straightforward answer.  

[Garland-Green]

Rednal

On the other hand, how do we know we're not feeling guilty because we've been raised in a culture that often says it's wrong (without reference to specific details for or against, usually taken out-of-context when provided at all), so we've been fooled into believing something is wrong when it isn't?


About that Leviticus quote? The whole chapter is kind of interesting; first of all, the end of the chapter specifically and individually summarizes what the rest of the chapter talks about, and emission of semen is noted as being different than normal discharges. It it was just like any other discharge, there would be no need for a special note. The chapter also discusses sacrifices to cover sin, and says that for normal discharges (BEFORE it talks about the emission of semen), what sacrifices are to be made. It mentions sacrifices again later, discussing women in particular. At no point does it mention sin/burnt offerings for the emission of semen. Which you'd think it would, if it were considered sinful. Instead, it basically says "Go wash yourself afterward and practice good hygiene". So, yeah.

I realized my mistake in pointing that out after posting, so I edited my post.
You make a very good point. To me the subject rests on: Does it honor God? Is it just pleasing the flesh?  

[Crypt Keeper 2010]

Shadowbane_Inquisitor

Leviticus 15:16-18
“‘When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Any clothing or leather that has semen on it must be washed with water, and it will be unclean till evening. When a man has sexual relations with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both of them must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening."

Read it in the KJV Bible-Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, but you have to understand that the levites were the keepers of the laws and wrote most of them from the scribes not actually from the Word of God (not all of the laws anyway-because if they had then Jesus would of never told the scribes and the religious hertics of the New Testiment to hang all the laws and those who wrote them on this-To love thy God with all of your heart,mind, soul and body and to love one another as God has loved you.)

So, you being the only other person who has presented any Biblical light on the subject win the cookie for the day, but....what you are saying to me is a lot of Old Testiment ridderick that doesnt say YES or No about MASTERBATION being a SIN or not.
Because in the next couple of verses in Leviticus says that a woman having her monthly period is also unclean or as the Bible says it 'Her issue of blood.'

For this being a "Christian Guild", Not a one of you has P/M'd me with a hello or an invite to become a friend.
Not very Christian of you is it????
Oh well. I guess now you know why I said til you prove me otherwise.
Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend and a Happy St. Paddy's Day to you as well!
Coop.
smile wink