Celibacy

[ilovejcsog]

Now don't put any personal judgment on me for this, lol. We are all adults and it is something I have always wondered about.
If you are celibate does that exclude masturbation?

 

[Phronema]

No, because if you are celibate you are trying to achieve sexual purity. In addition, depending on who you ask it's considered a sin as well.

 

[MariaJLM]

In most sects of Christianity masturbation is considered sinful so yes, celibacy would also imply no masturbating.

 

[Phronema]

In most sects of Christianity masturbation is considered sinful so yes, celibacy would also imply no masturbating.

Agreed on it being sinful. I don't venture out of TAW often, so I was trying to keep it low key, and not offend

 

[ilovejcsog]

Thank you both, that was my second question.

 

[MariaJLM]

Agreed on it being sinful. I don't venture out of TAW often, so I was trying to keep it low key, and not offend

lol, best that they hear it directly from an actual celibate anyway xP

 

[ilovejcsog]

It's interesting when I glance at my avatar I see a whale with its mouth open. When I actually look at it squarely I can see what it is

 

[Markie Boy]

Yes - I think it's sinful for anyone, celibate or married. I don't think that is something that one can do for the glory of God - and we are supposed to do all for His glory.

 

[Emli]

Yes, masturbation is a sin. It is a way of satisfying one's sexual lusts outside of marriage. I personally don't believe that anyone could be considered celibate in God's eyes if they were regularly masturbating, or were struggling without gaining control over it by the Spirit.

"But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." 1 Corinthians 7:9

This is something that everyone should consider when deciding to become celibate. Can they stay pure before God outside of a Godly marriage?

 

[dqhall]

Not every Christian believes that masturbation (without lust) is a sin. Even babies touch.

My only question is if your libido is so high that you often feel the need to touch, are you sure that you have the spiritual gift of celibacy? I would expect the libido of such to be more negligible.

Paul's criteria in 1 Corinthians 7 is,

"...if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." [verse 9]

It is better not to touch. One who masturbates is more likely perverted as masturbation is a form of lust. Lust and masturbation led people to thoughts of fornication, adultery and homosexuality. Bad thinking led to bad actions. That resulted in abandoned or unwanted children, single parent families and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. It is best to stop the masturbation before it leads to worse things such as groping, molestation, sexual assault and rape. Such things led to prison and death.

 

[Sabertooth]

You don't have to lust after anybody to get urges or want to touch.

That has been my point all along, and why masturbation without lust does not equate to adultery, fornication nor loss of virginity/purity.

Jesus said that it was lust that equaled adultery in one's heart.

 

[MariaJLM]

That has been my point all along, and why masturbation without lust does not equate to adultery, fornication nor loss of virginity/purity.

Jesus said that it was lust that equaled adultery in one's heart.

Well you're wrong. It's still considered sinful since it's gratification of self in that case.

 

[Sabertooth]

It's still considered sinful since it's gratification of self in that case.

That criticism is extra-Biblical. Scratching an itch is also self-gratifying.

 

[MariaJLM]

That criticism is extra-Biblical.

So? I'm not a Sola Scripturist.

 

[prodromos]

That criticism is extra-Biblical. Scratching an itch is also self-gratifying.

Scratching an itch does not bring on an [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].

 

[Sabertooth]

Scratching an itch does not bring on an [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].

But wet dreams and, sometimes, breastfeeding can. [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] attained by guiltless means are not condemned in Scripture.

 

[MariaJLM]

But wet dreams and, sometimes, breastfeeding can. [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] attained by guiltless means are not condemned in Scripture.

Masturbation serves little purpose except for personal pleasure. Things like breastfeeding actually have a practical purpose so I don't think you can compare the two.

 

[Sabertooth]

...except for personal pleasure.

Personal pleasure is not sin unless it took a sin to attain it.

 

[MariaJLM]

Personal pleasure is not sin unless it took a sin to attain it.

...and masturbation is a sin.

 

[Sabertooth]

...and masturbation is a sin.

If you define sin by sources other than the Bible (as you said you did).*

That criticism is extra-Biblical.

So? I'm not a Sola Scripturist.

Circular reasoning again.

And it is not the foregone conclusion in this sub-forum.

*An 11th commandment, perhaps...?