Is masturbation a sin?

[DaneaFL]

The only hazard you may encounter are germs from your Rabbit. Don't get addicted to porn and you'll be fine. HealthyStrokes.com

who told you about Mr.Wiggles???

 

[ECBBLMSTR]

who told you about Mr.Wiggles???

Something about this conversation smells fishy

not me!

 

[Yahu]

It's simple. If you are sure it is a sin, don't do it.

In my case, I lost my wife many years ago. Is it sin to remember our love making? Absolutely not. It is lust? No, it is God given desire based on His command to be fruitful and multiply. Now should we be fantasizing over another man's wife? Of course not, that would be committing adultery in our mind showing our willingness to do the act if it was offered.

Now Job also made covenant with his eyes not to look upon a virgin with sexual desire. It was against Yah's law to violate a virgin then not take her as your wife. We are also commanded not to become one with a prostitute. That requires the physical act to create a soul tie, a spiritual bond.

According to the law, a man spilling his seed made him unclean until he washed and the sun went down. A women was 'unclean' just by being on her period. It is a normal biological function of our bodies.

I have also heard the teachings about Onan spilling his seed as masturbation thus sin. That wasn't Onan's sin. It was GREED. He didn't want to raise up seed for his brother. If Tamar had a son, that son would get the double portion of Tamar's 1st husband thus reducing Onan's inheritance. The passage states plainly that his sin was not raising up seed for his brother. He had the sex with Tamar but was not willing to give her the child so he was using his brother's wife as a sex object but denying her a child that would maintain her the rest of her life. Onan wanted the double portion as the eldest living son of Judah. If Tamar had a son, Onan only got 25% of Judah's wealth for his inheritance. If she didn't have a son, he got 66% of Judah's wealth.

 

[smithed64]

Here is an quote from a very good book written by Christian men that speaks on the subject and much more about sexual immorallity.

"every man's battle" Every Man's guide to... Winning the war on sexual tempation One Victory at a time. Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey.

MB the word may not be mentioned in the Bible...neither was the word dinosaur but it speaks about them in Job...But God's view on sexual purity is.

"Did you know that we're commanded to avoid sexual impuity in nearly every book of the New Testament? The following is a selection of passages that teach God's concern for our sexual purity:

Mt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Mr 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mr 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Mr 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Ac 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Ro 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Ro 13:13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

1Co 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

And there's much more:
Galatians 5:16,19
Ephesians 5:3-4
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5,7

So yes the word touch isn't there. But any one with a brain and a ear to hear can reasonably come to terms with what God is saying here and he says it alot...stay away from sexual impurity.


"Maturbation is a symptom of uncontrolled eyes and free-racing thoughts. There's no sense in targeting masturbation itself, because you won't be attaking the real source of the problem. The real target is the eyes and mind.

Some might even mak a case that isolated instances of masturbation to relieve sexual tension are okay, if you'r focusing on your wife, not some supermodel, during periods of separation or illness. Wanton masturbation, tied to pornography or whatever gets your motor running, is ALWAYS sin, putting distance between you and God.
If you want freedom from masturbation you must put the ax to the roots. What are the roots? That you're stopping short of God's standard, accepting (through your eyes and your mind) more than a hint of immorality in your life."

The above statement is a quote from that book. It's really good and it will help you to understand that God's standard is quite clear for us to stay pure.

Check it out...it don't hurt to read.

 

[Johnnz]

The circularity in that argument works against its acceptance as stated.

There is no accurate exegesis of the Matthew text. Some knowledge of Greek is necessary, and some modern translations do a much better job with that verse, bringing out the deliberate intent factor.

The following scriptures imply masturbation is wrong without any such statement being contained within any of them. That is a petitio principii fallacy - assuming a conclusion in a premise.

Whatever reason some might have against masturbation nothing from those quotes supports any such position.

John
NZ

 

[Purge187]

Agreed, Johnnz. Also:

Deuteronomy 12:32

"What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."

Proverbs 30:5-6

"Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."

The fact remains that there's nothing in the Bible that condemns or condones solitary sex.

 

[ECBBLMSTR]

Here is an quote from a very good book written by Christian men that speaks on the subject and much more about sexual immorallity. "every man's battle" Every Man's guide to... Winning the war on sexual tempation One Victory at a time. Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey.

I think this book is harmful, not helpful in overcoming sexual temptation. I haven't read it, just excerpts from it. I know that women are usually offended by it, even with the answers it offers. I'm sure there is much in it that is good and accurate. Let me review the quote.

MB the word may not be mentioned in the Bible...neither was the word dinosaur but it speaks about them in Job...But God's view on sexual purity is

.

I don't know anyone who is suggesting that just because a certain word isn't in the Bible, then God has nothing to say about that subject. That is a straw man argument, invented by the book authors and goes nowhere.

"Did you know that we're commanded to avoid sexual impuity in nearly every book of the New Testament?

This may be true (by the way, cut and paste these things, don't type them out... I hope you didn't type all of this, if you did, God bless you.. wow,... any way, the New Testament and Old both teach obedience to God's statutes of sexual behavior; Jesus emphasized that it is a heart issue as well, that we are not to even harbor a desire for sexual immorality, for to act on that desire with as little as a look is to commit the act in the heart, or by way of intention.

"The following is a selection of passages that teach God's concern for our sexual purity:

I'll cover each one, one at a time.

Mt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

This is no doubt the most famous verse on this topic as well as the most abused and misunderstood verse nearly in scripture. The first century context is vital to us understanding it in the twentieth century. In their culture, to commit adultery could only happen one way: have sex with a married woman. Thus, to commit adultery in the heart, was "to have sex with a another man's wife" in your heart. Thus, the woman being looked at in this verse is and must be a married woman. Such a female is off limits to the sexual desire of other men because it is forbidden to have her. Nothing in this verse suggests that it is immoral or wrong to look at an unattached female with sexual desire for her. Nothing in this verse speaks against sexual fantasies; Jesus is discussing actual desire with the intent to carry out one's desire. The word "lust" in this verse is better translated "desire" since that's all the word actually means. The Greek word translated woman is the word for wife in Greek, though it can also mean woman. The one word served both meanings.

Mr 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mr 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Mr 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

The key words here are "fornications", "covetousness" and "lasciviousness". Covetousness refers to monetary greed. Evil eye, by the way, means envy of others, begrudging. Fornications is the NT catchall term for sexual sins, i.e., the sex taboos of Leviticus 18. However, its primary usage in the NT is in reference to cult prostitution which was common in many cities. See 1 Corinth. 10:8 and the OT ref. then compare it to how its used in Acts and Revelation, and Corinthians and you can see this pattern. The Greek word translated lasciviousness refers to inordinate public behavior, lack of restraint that upsets public decorum. As Johnnz said, none of these refer to private masturbation.

Ac 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Key word here is "fornication" which as I said in the NT referred primarily to sex with fertility god, goddess, prostitutes such as Aphrodite in city of Corinth with its thousand prostitutes. Paul wrote against this in 1 Cor. 6 and 7 where he uses the word "fornication", which literally means prostitution or whoredom, not sexual immorality or premarital sex as we use it today.

Ro 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Ro 13:13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Key words here are "lewdness, lust and revelry". The word translated lewdness is actually the word for sex, going to bed with someone and would be better translated promiscuity. Lust is actually the word aselgia again, translated lasciviousness in the Mark 7 passage, and refers to indecent or outrageous public behavior, insolence or excess-- so it can refer to sexual or other behavior. Again, none of these words are about masturbation. The authors are clueless on their topic.

1Co 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

THe word translated "sexual immorality" literally means prostitution or whoredom as Young's Literal translation renders it and this fits the context since Paul is talking about prostitutes, spec. cult prostitutes and how the demons from that temple defile the temple of God, the body of a man who consorts with this type of prostitute.

And there's much more:
Galatians 5:16,19
Ephesians 5:3-4

More of the same. Galatians 5 talks about these same words that refer to certain sexual sins and also uses the phrase "lust of the flesh", which the NIV corrects in modern English "desires of the sinful nature". The word lust today has gained a sexual meaning not present in the original; likewise the word flesh today, same problem. Flesh means the lower nature or the sinful nature and includes all manner of wrong actions and attitudes such as drunkenness, envy, strife, hatred, witchcraft.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5,7

See Jamieson Fausset and Brown on this passage and read the actual text not the modern renderings. Many translators it seems were offended that Paul referred to a wife as a vessel, but this is what Paul is talking about when he says a man needs to know how to acquire (as well as handle) a vessel (wife) in an honorable fashion. Nothing to do with masturbation.

"Masturbation is a symptom of uncontrolled eyes and free-racing thoughts

. Not at all. Most kids learn to touch on their own with no thought about sex acts. Adults can touch the same way, but they learn to connect it with sexual fantasies and images, so that becomes their preference. It isn't a necessity as any woman with a good vibrator can tell you. But even if they use sexual thoughts, since when are sexual thoughts sinful... unless its a sin for people to have sex. People are taught to feel guilty for having sexual desires and imaginations and this is unwarranted, unbiblical and unfortunate. And this is exactly what EMB book does and perpetuates, I'm afraid... even the title suggests that its sinful for a man to enjoy sexual beauty. They are in bondage to false doctrines and beliefs as to biblical sexuality. But, its not their fault; this has been a centuries long problem in the Church.

There's no sense in targeting masturbation itself

Agreed. Nearly all males will be masturbating regularly by age 15 and over half of females will do the same usually by age 18, only not as often, since they don't have a biological need to [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse].

Some might even mak a case that isolated instances of masturbation to relieve sexual tension are okay, if you'r focusing on your wife, not some supermodel, during periods of separation or illness.

Sounds like they are allowing for it while a man is away from his wife... so how much farther away can you be from her/him, than when you are single?

Wanton masturbation, tied to pornography or whatever gets your motor running, is ALWAYS sin, putting distance between you and God.

"Wanton" if they mean, public, yes it is lewd, lascivious and illegal. If they mean "chronic, habitual with no real physical sense of need", they may have a point, but then we are going to judge one person's sex drive and needs by another. If it interferes with one's life and responsibilities, then we can agree that there needs to be modification. If the person is inflaming their sex drive with porn, esp. if they are minors, then yes that is wrong on several counts. If a person of any age is addicted to porn or dependent upon porn for masturbation, then they need to learn how to overcome that, because God doesn't want us to be "mastered" by anything.(1 Cor.6:12)

If you want freedom from masturbation you must put the ax to the roots.

This comment is sick and potentially hazardous to many desperate young men who may actually amputate their privates because of what is said here, as well as the words of Jesus to cut off and pluck out any member of the body that causes us to sin. It's happened more than once.

What are the roots? That you're stopping short of God's standard, accepting (through your eyes and your mind) more than a hint of immorality in your life."

There's a reference here to the unfortunate rendering of Ephesians 5:3 in the NIV "hint of immorality" should read "immorality should not be named among you", that is, the church has a zero tolerance for "fornication", the sex sins listed by God not the prohibitions made up by men in the Church.

The above statement is a quote from that book. It's really good and it will help you to understand that God's standard is quite clear for us to stay pure

. Thanks for your concern. I know you are a very devout Christian and I appreciate that. God does want us to stay pure. However, we need to know His definitions of purity, not the Church's.

 

[smithed64]

I think this book is harmful, not helpful in overcoming sexual temptation. I haven't read it, just excerpts from it. I know that women are usually offended by it, even with the answers it offers. I'm sure there is much in it that is good and accurate. Let me review the quote.

.It is a good read and it does cover quite abit about sexual temptation and just covers a way to overcome sexual temptation. Not a be all be all of temptation killers..just a way.

I don't know anyone who is suggesting that just because a certain word isn't in the Bible, then God has nothing to say about that subject. That is a straw man argument, invented by the book authors and goes nowhere.

I agree with you on this point. But I also believe they were just trying to make a point that just because it isn't in the Word. Doesn't mean that it isn't look upon in God's word. We have to remember to keep the Word in Context and remember to whom they were speaking to..as you so very well state below.

This may be true (by the way, cut and paste these things, don't type them out... I hope you didn't type all of this, if you did, God bless you.. wow,... any way, the New Testament and Old both teach obedience to God's statutes of sexual behavior; Jesus emphasized that it is a heart issue as well, that we are not to even harbor a desire for sexual immorality, for to act on that desire with as little as a look is to commit the act in the heart, or by way of intention.

Agreed...yeah i typed it...being typing so long now it's like super fast for me now.

I'll cover each one, one at a time.

This is no doubt the most famous verse on this topic as well as the most abused and misunderstood verse nearly in scripture. The first century context is vital to us understanding it in the twentieth century. In their culture, to commit adultery could only happen one way: have sex with a married woman. Thus, to commit adultery in the heart, was "to have sex with a another man's wife" in your heart. Thus, the woman being looked at in this verse is and must be a married woman. Such a female is off limits to the sexual desire of other men because it is forbidden to have her. Nothing in this verse suggests that it is immoral or wrong to look at an unattached female with sexual desire for her. Nothing in this verse speaks against sexual fantasies; Jesus is discussing actual desire with the intent to carry out one's desire. The word "lust" in this verse is better translated "desire" since that's all the word actually means. The Greek word translated woman is the word for wife in Greek, though it can also mean woman. The one word served both meanings

Your right the word for lust here is Epithumeo meaning to desire in a good sense, but it also has the meaning to desire in a bad sense as coveting and lusting after. I do agree that when a man meets a woman and loves her intensely and wants to marry her he will desire her, but in a good and decent way As a Child of God we would pray that God will help us to love them as Christ loved the Church and keep our minds out of the gutter. But I believe Christ is speaking on the second definition which covers being covetness. Which is as you already know a sin.

The key words here are "fornications", "covetousness" and "lasciviousness". Covetousness refers to monetary greed. Evil eye, by the way, means envy of others, begrudging. Fornications is the NT catchall term for sexual sins, i.e., the sex taboos of Leviticus 18. However, its primary usage in the NT is in reference to cult prostitution which was common in many cities. See 1 Corinth. 10:8 and the OT ref. then compare it to how its used in Acts and Revelation, and Corinthians and you can see this pattern. The Greek word translated lasciviousness refers to inordinate public behavior, lack of restraint that upsets public decorum. As Johnnz said, none of these refer to private masturbation.

Pleonexia is the greek for covetness Meaning a greedy desire, to have more, avarice. Plus it is the 10th commandment. We all know the next one Porneia meaning illicit sexual intercourse or fornication..we can all agree that a Godly man shouldn't be doing that or even thinking about it. And then there is aselgeia..unbridled lust, excess, shamelessness, insolences...Lasciviousness. These all fall under the lust of the flesh. Which is sinful..no it doesn't say masturbation verbatim..but all it takes is a bit of thinking to realize that it's shameful to do so...if it weren't you'd do it in public as for the married man doing this it would be considered insolent to his wife or even to the husband if she is doing so. where you'd rather please yourself than have her or vice versa.

Key word here is "fornication" which as I said in the NT referred primarily to sex with fertility god, goddess, prostitutes such as Aphrodite in city of Corinth with its thousand prostitutes. Paul wrote against this in 1 Cor. 6 and 7 where he uses the word "fornication", which literally means prostitution or whoredom, not sexual immorality or premarital sex as we use it today.

Same word used in 1 Cor 6:13,18 as used in Mr 7:21. Porneia

Key words here are "lewdness, lust and revelry". The word translated lewdness is actually the word for sex, going to bed with someone and would be better translated promiscuity. Lust is actually the word aselgia again, translated lasciviousness in the Mark 7 passage, and refers to indecent or outrageous public behavior, insolence or excess-- so it can refer to sexual or other behavior. Again, none of these words are about masturbation. The authors are clueless on their topic

.

Again it's not the masturbation they are concerned with. It's the reasoning behind it. It's the root of the problem they are concerned about. The shameless, lustful, insolent behavior that comes from coveting something someone can't have. From what the mind has in it and from what the eye can see. It's just plain ol lust of the flesh and not worthy of a Son of God or even a sinner. But right now we are speaking of men who love the Lord and say they follow Him and deny themself of everything. Right?

. Not at all. Most kids learn to touch on their own with no thought about sex acts. Adults can touch the same way, but they learn to connect it with sexual fantasies and images, so that becomes their preference. It isn't a necessity as any woman with a good vibrator can tell you. But even if they use sexual thoughts, since when are sexual thoughts sinful... unless its a sin for people to have sex. People are taught to feel guilty for having sexual desires and imaginations and this is unwarranted, unbiblical and unfortunate. And this is exactly what EMB book does and perpetuates, I'm afraid... even the title suggests that its sinful for a man to enjoy sexual beauty. They are in bondage to false doctrines and beliefs as to biblical sexuality. But, its not their fault; this has been a centuries long problem in the Church.

Right here is where you stray a bit, if ya don't mind me saying.
Sexual thoughts are sinful because you stray away from God's standards. Because if your a Son of God then you are to think on those things that are holy.

Php 4:8 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.

Honesty with oneself is very important. I have a real hard time believing that a red blooded Man who MB doesn't fantasize. He may not start out that way...but it definitely may end that way.
Pure thoughts...again same statement.
This is the key word...virtue...self control. We as Sons of God are to have self control over our desires..not our desires controlling us.

Then you ask a absurd question after all you wrote you kill it with "unless its a sin for people to have sex."

Mr 7:23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man. That includes sex...porneia...fornication.. Sex outside of marriage is sinful.

1Co 6:9 ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Simply put:

1. unrighteousness means sinful.
2. Fornication is unrighteous
3. Therefore Fornication is a sin.

Well, beings you didnt read the book. I'd warrent what you have to say about it is not very informative. I've read the book and it doesn't throw out guilt about sex. As a matter of fact it listens to men who have had sexual addictions and how they were delivered from these addictions using sound biblical standards..Not church standards.
It also shows comments from these men's wives who have a very hard time understanding that men even have a problem with sex..Read it first...then criticise it.

This comment is sick and potentially hazardous to many desperate young men who may actually amputate their privates because of what is said here, as well as the words of Jesus to cut off and pluck out any member of the body that causes us to sin. It's happened more than once.

Again read the book...it's not talking about chopping something off.

There's a reference here to the unfortunate rendering of Ephesians 5:3 in the NIV "hint of immorality" should read "immorality should not be named among you", that is, the church has a zero tolerance for "fornication", the sex sins listed by God not the prohibitions made up by men in the Church.

Never said anything about church dogma, doctrine or guilt from the church...Just Biblical standards set by God to tell us to be pure in thought, action and life. To be Holy as He is Holy.

. Thanks for your concern. I know you are a very devout Christian and I appreciate that. God does want us to stay pure. However, we need to know His definitions of purity, not the Church's.

Thank you and I am concerned. More i'm Angry at Satan because he has taken something that should be experienced between Man and Wife and has twisted it and laid out confusion on what is right and Holy in God's sight.
All I can say is if your convicted of doing this...Quit doing it. I have, I was pretty bad about it. But prayer, readng God's word and having help from the above mentioned book Helped...it wasn't easy and it's always a temptation...But God always makes away out of tempatation...because He isn't the one that tempts us.

 

[Tomm]

This is a subject that I don't like to share, but if I wish to ovecome my sins, I need to. It has been said that confession is good for the soul, but repentance is even better in my opinion. I repented yet I still make bad choices. Is it because I am weak or getting something out of it? Or is it not a sin and I am over exaggerating things?

Masturbation is something that we must avoid. I also used to have this habit, but now I have overcame it. It won't give us any long term benefits, especially spiritually.

To avoid it, we must first pray a lot. Praying to Mother Mary is a very effective weapon against that habit. Christian meditation also helps a lot.

It is worth fighting this habit because by doing so we can gain Heaven.

 

[LoveIstheGreatest]

I don't think masturbation is a sin because you need to understand the context and environment in which it was written. The ancients were small and needed to re-populate so every sperm (human potential) going to waste was considered murder.

What is a Liberal doing on a Conservative forum?

 

[tobethebest]

Doctors tell their patients that there is nothing wrong with masturbation. In fact, they approve of it in order to release the build-up in our systems. Personally, I saw it as a release, though I have had major surgery on my prostate several years back that has pretty much taken away that urge.........besides, I'm married. We are older now and don't involve ourselves with it as much as we used to. Dealing with physical conditions are more of a challenge these days; neuropathy, fibromyalgia, etc.............Just please don't condemn yourself for getting a release in your system. Anything further than that, I consider wrong............I couldn't stand the thought that our thirty year old son who was living at home, alone, doing it, while we were out with the grandchildren. That was a creepy feeling. I'm glad we have finally put an end to his living in our house. Porn, alcohol, masturbation, all that stuff, we are sure was part of his life. Yuk!! There is a balance here and condemnation can creep up and make things look so unholy. It's a tough call. I certainly don't recommend it as an on-going condition. If that is the case, seek help.

 

[Orange Kitten Bob]

Is it done in private? If so, then there is no New Testament decree against it. I would rather the sexually frustrated relieved themselves so rather than rape a person or an animal.

 

[Yahu]

Is it done in private? If so, then there is no New Testament decree against it. I would rather the sexually frustrated relieved themselves so rather than rape a person or an animal.

Good point. It is something I cover with women in rape counseling. It is men that don't manage their sex drives that are the ones that are capable of things like date rape.

Years ago I was asked to be a surrogate father for a couple with a sterile husband. The woman was someone I had given extensive counseling. She is now in a family counseling ministry. She instructed my biological son to touch before going on a date to prevent any sexual problems. Taking a girls virginity is a much bigger issue then young men managing their sex drive.

Being judgmental about men managing their sex drive is a major problem within the church IMO.

 

[waryerpohit71]

How do you touch without sexual thoughts ? What do you think about then ?

 

[Yahu]

How do you touch without sexual thoughts ? What do you think about then ?

What you don't seem to understand is sexual thoughts are not evil. They are part of our god given makeup. One of His first commands to us was to be fruitful and multiply. There is nothing evil about that. It is the misuse of our sexual behavior that Yah is against. You don't rape. You don't ruin a virgin without taking her as wife. You don't take another man's wife. That is what is sexually forbidden.

What about those of us that have lost our wife? Is it evil to have sexual thoughts and memories about our wife? Of course NOT.

What is evil is having sexual thoughts about another man's wife or dwelling on ruining a virgin. It was fine under the law to take a non-virgin sexual partner. That was called taking a concubine.

Fornication in the bible is directly tied with the pagan worship and idolatry. It was going to the groves to have sex with strangers in worship of the pagan gods. The modern day equivalent would be going to a bar to pick up a one night stand.

Most modern day christians don't understand biblical sexual law. They interpret scripture through their puritanical lenses. If you read the old testament in the Hebrew there are all kinds of sexual references that are hidden in the translation due to the prevent puritanism of the day when it was translated into English.

For example, Naomi tells Ruth to wait until Boaz drinks at the harvest feast then have intercourse with him while he is passed out. Most christians would think that was evil but it was actual an exception to the sexual law for a childless widow to have a child by a near relative of her dead husband so the child could inherit the family land.

Being pure doesn't mean you don't have sexual thoughts or desires. It means you keep your sex drive under control so you don't harm another by your actions.

The modern day church is riddled with phariseeism. They expand upon the sexual law of Yah and add traditions of man on top of it and claim people are in sin if they violate the traditions of man.

 

[GutenbergPrintPress1454]

Masturbation is a very bad habit. It is evil.

 

[Johnnz]

So you probably have been told. But not from someone who had specific biblical mandate to tell you that.

John
NZ

 

[abbasrounder]

Okay, I am only on page seven of reading this, first topic to show up for some odd reason, first post, but I am going to weigh in. If you had a yahct, boatloads of money, took vacays every three months, would I be a sinner to dream about what it would be like to have that and how nice it must be? Probably not. BUT if I allowed it to get in the way of my real life, to be dissatisfied with and neglect what I actually had and to be angry and ungrateful, now we are in the yellow zone. If I consume all of my energy and resources trying to get what you have to the point of disregarding my moral compass and the welfare of others or plotting to steal it from you, or hurt you to get it, now we are well into the danger zone. I think sexuality and lust works something like that. Caution is advised, because one thing can lead to another. But not necessrily wrong to have a sexual thought without intent or coveteousness.

 

[Jonathan95]

Being pure doesn't mean you don't have sexual thoughts or desires. It means you keep your sex drive under control so you don't harm another by your actions.

The modern day church is riddled with phariseeism. They expand upon the sexual law of Yah and add traditions of man on top of it and claim people are in sin if they violate the traditions of man.

Sexual thoughts and desires are from the evil nature and are rooted in selfishness, idolatry etc - if it's outside marriage / towards other people (if inside marriage).

Jesus and the NT clearly condemns Lust and sexual thoughts.

 

[Johnnz]

Sexual thoughts and desires are from the evil nature and are rooted in selfishness, idolatry etc - if it's outside marriage / towards other people (if inside marriage).

Jesus and the NT clearly condemns Lust and sexual thoughts.

That's simple paganism and a demonising of human sexuality. Scripture tells us about wrong sex but never that sex is wrong. We are thoroughly sexual beings (male and female) with matured sex drives whether married or single. Responsible sexuality not asexuality is the biblical teaching.

John
NZ