Is Masturbation a sin?

[TheBarrd]

I think it is something that each one needs to work out for him/herself.
And I think we need to avoid judging one another...

 

[Tellastory]

First of all, I'm not sure it's a sin. The only advice I would dare give anyone would be, if you think it is, don't do it.

They can always ask Jesus for wisdom to see if it is a sin or not in according to the accepted scripture of the KJV.

And secondly, I am quite sure that we are told not to judge one another.

1 Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Most believers confuse Jesus words about judge not, lest ye be judged, as if we are never to judge, but He went on to explain that one should not be a hypocrite when doing so and to avoid that was by removing the beam out of his own eye first so he can see clearly to remove the speck out of his brother's eye. So that is hardly meaning never to judge any one.

Jesus taught to judge ( not condemn ) as in correct one another; especially when a believer goes astray.

Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Paul taught correcting one another in the hopes that excommunication will lead to repentance.

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Parents "judge" their children by correcting them out of love for them, and so is the believer and the church to do as well with His help & by the scripture of the KJV.

 

[TheBarrd]

They can always ask Jesus for wisdom to see if it is a sin or not in according to the accepted scripture of the KJV.

Many would answer that they have done so, and found it not to be sin. I have no answer for such a one.
Have you?

1 Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Most believers confuse Jesus words about judge not, lest ye be judged, as if we are never to judge, but He went on to explain that one should not be a hypocrite when doing so and to avoid that was by removing the beam out of his own eye first so he can see clearly to remove the speck out of his brother's eye. So that is hardly meaning never to judge any one.

Jesus taught to judge ( not condemn ) as in correct one another; especially when a believer goes astray.

I don't think He meant for us to go peering into other people's bedroom windows to see whether they are masturbating or not.
I have always thought of sin as something that causes harm.
I can't see the sin in masturbation.
And I'm not about to go around asking people whether they touch or not, in order that I may "correct" them.

Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Paul taught correcting one another in the hopes that excommunication will lead to repentance.

So, let me get this straight. If you find out that your brother or sister in Christ is masturbating, and he or she tells you to mind your own business, you will announce it in front of the entire church?
And what do you expect would happen next?

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Are you really comparing masturbation to having sex with your stepmom?

Parents "judge" their children by correcting them out of love for them, and so is the believer and the church to do as well with His help & by the scripture of the KJV.

Frankly, I think you are creating a Tempest in a Teapot....or making Much Ado About Nothing....

What do you do when your son gets to "that age", and suddenly starts spending hours "combing his hair"??

 

[Cearbhall]

You should ask God what this masturbation is doing to you, and how it is going to affect your future relationships and your mind.

I think it's good to know one's own body before entering into a sexual relationship. Especially for a woman, who might have a painful experience otherwise. I certainly wouldn't want to have intercourse without even knowing how to experience sexual pleasure. But obviously this is a very personal decision, and I have no problem with other people waiting.

 

[Paul of Eugene OR]

It is possible to identify the sexual activity that the Bible describes as holy and honorable ... and why it is holy (Ephesians 5). I would like to see a Biblical argument for masturbation being a holy activity.

.

Condemning masturbation is unbiblical, since the bible doesn't do it, neither should we.

 

[Dave-W]

Masturbation is vile, nearly as bad as homosexuality.

Book chapter verse please.

If it truly is "nearly as bad as homosexuality," there should be nearly as many scriptures specifically condemning it.

 

[Cearbhall]

Book chapter verse please.

I'm pretty sure that was sarcasm, based on his other post. I could be wrong.

 

[Dave-W]

I'm pretty sure that was sarcasm, based on his other post. I could be wrong.

To a degree, since no such verse exists anywhere in scripture.

But OTOH, it is not sarcastic since I am trying to get the poster to search the scriptures for them selves to try and find it. Then perhaps they will realize their position has no basis in scripture.

 

[Cearbhall]

To a degree, since no such verse exists anywhere in scripture.

But OTOH, it is not sarcastic since I am trying to get the poster to search the scriptures for them selves to try and find it. Then perhaps they will realize their position has no basis in scripture.

No, I meant Danielle was being sarcastic. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Dave-W]

I'm pretty sure that was sarcasm, based on his other post. I could be wrong.

No, I meant Danielle was being sarcastic. Sorry for the confusion.

You said "his." I took Dannielle to be female.
That is why I thought you were talking about me.

 

[Cearbhall]

You said "his." I took Dannielle to be female.
That is why I thought you were talking about me.

The profile said male, though he seems to have been deleted now? Whatever.

 

[TheBarrd]

I think it's good to know one's own body before entering into a sexual relationship. Especially for a woman, who might have a painful experience otherwise. I certainly wouldn't want to have intercourse without even knowing how to experience sexual pleasure. But obviously this is a very personal decision, and I have no problem with other people waiting.

That is actually a very good point...

 

[Cearbhall]

That is actually a very good point...

Studies show that confidence is one of the most important factors in sexual satisfaction. People who have become comfortable with the sexual workings of their bodies and are able to communicate their needs and preferences to their partner tend to have a more pleasant and intimate experience.

I'd say this would be especially important for women who plan to wait to have sex until their wedding night. Unfortunately, they're probably the most likely to avoid masturbation or self-exploration, but I personally can't imagine making the leap from a tampon to an erect penis in one night. Not fun.

 

[TheBarrd]

Studies show that confidence is one of the most important factors in sexual satisfaction. People who have become comfortable with the sexual workings of their bodies and are able to communicate their needs and preferences to their partner tend to have a more pleasant and intimate experience.

I'd say this would be especially important for women who plan to wait to have sex until their wedding night. Unfortunately, they're probably the most likely to avoid masturbation or self-exploration, but I personally can't imagine making the leap from a tampon to an erect penis in one night. Not fun.

Dearheart, I remember as a very young girl, thinking that Mom's tampons would be cleaner than my pads.
Ouch!

 

[ken777]

So 1 Thes. 4 is saying to me that we are to live in Jesus. Now instructions have been given to us as to how to live for Jesus. To a void porneia (prostitution), which my studies have lead me to understand that Paul and those around him understood as mixing idol worship with prostitution. So to control our own body to to not be involved in any kind of idol worship. That is what the pagans are doing as they don't know God. Secondly, we should not hurt our brothers and sister. This is how we are holy and sanctified. We love one another. So we see again the two commandments Jesus gave us to love God, don't worship idols and to love one another, by not hurting each other, Rom.13:10 were re read love doesn't hurt your neighbor.
For me to say that controlling our body is to not touch is to make something that God cares so little about that He never says its wrong. Yet if it is wrong, its the sin that is committed more than any other sin listed in the Bible. How many times have we stole, how many times have me lied, how many times have we taken God's name in vain, how many times have we killed someone, now many time have we committed adultery? OK some clearly take God's name in vain more often than they touch, but all, as in 95% of us have masturbated many more times than we have done any of those sins. So I think if God considered masturbation sinful and not controlling our body he would have had an 11th commandment, Thou shall not touch. Its just not there and Bible verse gymnastics have to be preformed to get there.

I think you are overlooking the context:
"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable"

Paul did not limit sexual immorality to temple prostitution otherwise you have him condoning adultery.
.

.

 

[ken777]

It remains true there is no scripture opposed to masturbation and it would behoove God's children to not add to scripture what is not there.

Sexual immorality was well understood by Paul's hearers & readers in his day.
If one is convinced that masturbation is a holy activity, then there is no problem.

.

 

[dayhiker]

I don't follow what your thinking. Clearly Paul agreed with that the 10 commandments are to be followed as he lists them at times.
If you feel Paul felt the meaning of porneia was sexual immorality then maybe you can explain to me something. The Greek moralist listed lists of sin people weren't to do. Paul follows their lead and writes lists of sin as well. The interesting thing is that the Greek moralists writers never list porneia in their lists. Yet if porneia was sexual immorality it would be the idea word for them to use. So why didn't they use it?

I think you are overlooking the context:
"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable"

Paul did not limit sexual immorality to temple prostitution otherwise you have him condoning adultery.

 

[ken777]

I don't follow what your thinking. Clearly Paul agreed with that the 10 commandments are to be followed as he lists them at times.
If you feel Paul felt the meaning of porneia was sexual immorality then maybe you can explain to me something. The Greek moralist listed lists of sin people weren't to do. Paul follows their lead and writes lists of sin as well. The interesting thing is that the Greek moralists writers never list porneia in their lists. Yet if porneia was sexual immorality it would be the idea word for them to use. So why didn't they use it?

"Sexual immorality" is what all the Bible translations use.

.

 

[Dave-W]

Pornia is what Paul wrote. It is also what James wrote in Acts 15. So what Greek moralists wrote is of little interest.

How exactly was the word Pornia used in the Greek speaking Jewish community where most of the church leadership came from in Paul's congregations? THAT is the question.

As far as I can determine, it meant anything that violated the sexual commands of the Books of Moses. (Genesis - Deuteronomy)

 

[dayhiker]

From what I can find out the Greek word porneia has meant prostitution from 200BC till today in the land of Greece.
It seems to me if Paul used the word differently, with a different meaning, than the local Greeks use he would have had to explain each time he used the word what he meant by it. Since I don't see Paul doing that I think the meaning has to be something close to prostitution.

Ken, when I was young the Bibles we read had the word fornication which meant premarital sex. Then in the 60's Bible stated to come out using the word sexual immorality of some close version of that. So why the change? Nobody seems to talk about why the change.

Dave ... yes, I have read commentators that go with that view.