Masturbation as a Sin (A Different Approach)

[Anguspure]

You bring up some very good and valid points.

But the one thing you do NOT address is the hormonal urge for release/[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]. Yes there may be all kinds of physical, mental, emotional and perhaps spiritual issues connected with this; but at its core, that urge is primarily hormonal.

And God Himself designed that hormonal makeup.

That's why it is written that it is better to marry than to burn with passion (although tbh I wonder if the person who wrote that new anything about marriage).

 

[Anguspure]

Slightly out of topic, but what do you guys think about a cartoon pornography, aka hentai? Since the essence of the sin in watching regular pornography is lusting after other people, where exactly it is when masturbating over a non-existing fictional charactersl, which basically is nothing but set of 0's and 1's?

At least as damaging since the person is still doing alone what was intended for marital relationship.

 

[ColdSummer]

At least as damaging since the person is still doing alone what was intended for marital relationship.

"At least as damaging" - so when there's literally not a single another actual person involved it's "possibly even worse" than lusting after an actual person? I just don't see the logic in there.

But following this thought, would you percieve a masturbation without thinking about anything erotic (just "getting off") as a sin as well? I think we're slightly moving away from the original idea that masturbation is a sin because of the "bad thoughts" that go alongside with it.

 

[salt-n-light]

I don't understand your reasoning here... how is driving a car godly, brushing your teeth, or working out?

Because it does not go against the will of God. No one even has to question those things. But people more question or more put effort to justify masturbation.

Perhaps because there's more of a valid argument there?

 

[salt-n-light]

"At least as damaging" - so when there's literally not a single another actual person involved it's "possibly even worse" than lusting after an actual person? I just don't see the logic in there.

But following this thought, would you percieve a masturbation without thinking about anything erotic (just "getting off") as a sin as well? I think we're slightly moving away from the original idea that masturbation is a sin because of the "bad thoughts" that go alongside with it.

No one masturbates without a motive. Its a decision. Which means there is a purpose. So the whole "void of erotic" thoughts thing is so abstract.

Then what thought would one have to lead to masturbating? To save a life? To celebrate? With thoughts of a happy childhood memory? A good joke?

 

[Anguspure]

"At least as damaging" - so when there's literally not a single another actual person involved it's "possibly even worse" than lusting after an actual person? I just don't see the logic in there.

But following this thought, would you percieve a masturbation without thinking about anything erotic (just "getting off") as a sin as well? I think we're slightly moving away from the original idea that masturbation is a sin because of the "bad thoughts" that go alongside with it.

The logic is that sex is designed to be deeply relational between a man and a woman in a permanant relationship; a marriage.
Anything whether that be hentai masturbation, porn or homosexuality or any other form of sexual practice that does not meet the created intent is damaging because we were not created to work in that way.
The damage is to oneself irrespective of whether damage is done to someone else.
What did Paul write?:
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." (1 Corinthian 6)

 

[dms1972]

I was thinking a bit more about this post. It seems a bit odd of a response. God's word doesn't satisfy me sexually, nor do I think it should... or do you think it should??

You have read into my reply something I had not meant. It was a brief reply, so let me clarify. You are right God's Word doesn't provide comfort sexually, because God's Word and Spirit are spiritual food and comfort, and that was what I meant.

Masturbation 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] realises endorphins [endogenous morphine] in one's nervous system, these act as both pain killers and also induce a temporary state of euphoria. This is natural, in that our nervous system responds this way, but our choice is involved in choosing to self-stimulate.

From God's Word and Spirit there is a spiritual comfort but from that our whole being may be calmed. When we don't draw upon these means of Grace we can end up seeking comfort inordinately in other ways such as masturbation etc.

Its difficult to separate in our minds the reasons why we touch.

 

[Sir Robbins]

That's why it is written that it is better to marry than to burn with passion (although tbh I wonder if the person who wrote that new anything about marriage).

there is much pondering by many that Paul may have been widowed. I haven't seen anything in concrete that would solidify that statement but there's plenty of suspicion

 

[Sir Robbins]

God made us. He knows our needs.

Everything should be done as a couple (man and woman).

but that reality is often times never met or experienced. Many go at it alone for life that don't want to or for reasons like me, stay alone because it just is not ideal for the other person to be with me.

 

[dms1972]

And the issue of masturbation is one that you'll very rarely see me discuss. To me, Raunch Culture that tears away the biblical framework of family and "godly" type of relationships, both physical and psychological, is the problem; while masturbation, in and of itself, is a much lesser issue. If single people need to resort to self-stimulation at times. Fine. But they should do so without ANY resort to the mediation of Raunch Culture media.

When going through adolescence its part of that period of growing up, but it can become compulsive if one doesn't learn self-control. I cannot say whether in itself that it is always a sin, but the other danger is becoming enslaved to the practice. Sexual fantasy also can be problematic and a door to deeper levels of unreality.

 

[salt-n-light]

but that reality is often times never met or experienced. Many go at it alone for life that don't want to or for reasons like me, stay alone because it just is not ideal for the other person to be with me.

It wouldn't make life any less of a blessing or more of a curse though.

Its just that masturbation serves as a quick fix, but it will never address the longing of feeling fulfilled. Not even marriage would solve that. I know friends in relationships and marriages, feeling lonely, disconnected from the person they made a covenant with. The fact that the OP about masturbation came from a married man is proof in itself how even in situations where one would be expected to be fulfilled sexually, there's always a thirst. With Jesus, you should be quenched.

Each one of us has to step back and examine themselves in what we do, and why we do things, in every stage in our lives, so that we can best know how to address God with it.

 

[2tim_215]

I don't think it has anything to do with God. They just wan to do it. The argument that the Bible doesn't specifically say you can't reminds me of an argument my 10 year old child would give me.

 

[ColdSummer]

No one masturbates without a motive. Its a decision. Which means there is a purpose. So the whole "void of erotic" thoughts thing is so abstract.

Then what thought would one have to lead to masturbating? To save a life? To celebrate? With thoughts of a happy childhood memory? A good joke?

Obviously to release the sexual pressure. When you're not married and thus can't do the "100% morally clean sexual relieve", your sexual desire gradually increases over time, leading to stronger sexual thoughts. Which leads me to:

The logic is that sex is designed to be deeply relational between a man and a woman in a permanant relationship; a marriage.
Anything whether that be hentai masturbation, porn or homosexuality or any other form of sexual practice that does not meet the created intent is damaging because we were not created to work in that way.
The damage is to oneself irrespective of whether damage is done to someone else.
What did Paul write?:
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." (1 Corinthian 6)

^Obviously what Paul said was connected to the adultery. I mean if we take the thoughtless masturbation as a pure sexual relief, how exactly is it different from scratching one's private areas? Is it because it activates different parts of the brain?

 

[Tetra]

I don't think it has anything to do with God. They just wan to do it. The argument that the Bible doesn't specifically say you can't reminds me of an argument my 10 year old child would give me.

... and what of people who just blindly follow what they have been told? I'm sure that's never gone wrong in the history of the church.

 

[salt-n-light]

Obviously to release the sexual pressure. When you're not married and thus can't do the "100% morally clean sexual relieve", your sexual desire gradually increases over time, leading to stronger sexual thoughts. Which leads me to:



^Obviously what Paul said was connected to the adultery. I mean if we take the thoughtless masturbation as a pure sexual relief, how exactly is it different from scratching one's private areas? Is it because it activates different parts of the brain?

Then if it’s that dire, go and get married. Have a wife satisfy you. It’s 60% women to 40% men, so odds are on your side. If a person can’t help theirselves and it’s that neccesary to survive and breathe, then go get married. But if it’s not that much of an urge, and you don’t wish to get married, then resist.But if you’re masturbating, that it’s against Gods will, which is to honor your body. No debates.

And There is no such thing as thoughtless touching yourself. It’s a deliberate decision coupled with action for a specific goal. Like bathing, you touch your body parts to wash up. Like scratching to relieve an itch. Masturbation isn’t void of thought

 

[salt-n-light]

.

 

[salt-n-light]

... and what of people who just blindly follow what they have been told? I'm sure that's never gone wrong in the history of the church.

you’re quick to bring up the church...but sir where is your wife?

Why are you in this forum asking about masturbation when you are with your wife? Does she know that you are pondering on these things?

 

[Tetra]

you’re quick to bring up the church...but sir where is your wife?

Why are you in this forum asking about masturbation when you are with your wife? Does she know that you are pondering on these things?

This is such a weird question to me. Why in the world would my wife care??! I'm not getting into the details of my sex life on a forum, but I've been married 15years, and she'd think it was a weird question too.

 

[Tetra]

Then if it’s that dire, go and get married. Have a wife satisfy you. It’s 60% women to 40% men, so odds are on your side. If a person can’t help theirselves and it’s that neccesary to survive and breathe, then go get married. But if it’s not that much of an urge, and you don’t wish to get married, then resist.But if you’re masturbating, that it’s against Gods will, which is to honor your body. No debates.

And There is no such thing as thoughtless touching yourself. It’s a deliberate decision coupled with action for a specific goal. Like bathing, you touch your body parts to wash up. Like scratching to relieve an itch. Masturbation isn’t void of thought

Who said masturbation is void of thought?? Lol

 

[salt-n-light]

This is such a weird question to me. Why in the world would my wife care??! I'm not getting into the details of my sex life on a forum, but I've been married 15years, and she'd think it was a weird question too.

Are you really asking why would your wife care?

Because she’s your wife, isn’t she whom your sexual affections lie?!?!? Isn’t that the person you’re caring to have sex with and things you wanna do sexually?Lol!


You can’t ask your wife these things because it’s weird?!? But it’s not weird on a forum.... makes sense.