I don't understand

[Person7022]

What is the stigma with masturbation? I never could understand that and Christians take it so seriously. I can't see anything wrong with it so I would just like to know the reason behind the dislike of it.

 

[HypnoToad]

Because it's nearly impossible to do it without lust, and lusting is sinful.

 

[Zunalter]

Because it's nearly impossible to do it without lust, and lusting is sinful.

I agree. Jesus said that "Whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

So, during masturbation, since most of the time people are indulging themselves in lustful fantasies, it becomes a sin.

 

[Confess]

I don't know to tell you the truth. I mean it is a sensation, it releaves tension and calms people down. I can see where watching a sex movie or looking at sex pictures or thinking about doing it to another person crosses the line, but that isn't always the case.

Just as some get massages from a massage therapist to receive a good sensation and to relax, why is it so bad to make yourself feel good?

I mean we make ourselves feel good in all sorts of ways that aren't always healthy. Some over eat, others sit and watch TV, other take long hot baths when they should be doing something else, others smoke etc.

These things aren't as stigmatized like masturbation is, yet anyone of them can prove to be even more unhealthy then masturbation.

I personally think that the problem is with piety and legalism. Masturbation does not have the power all by itself to kill your salvation.

 

[rocklife]

A seventh Day Adventist health speaker was saying it isn't healthy to overuse an organ, which masturbation can be doing. that sounds reasonable. overuse/abuse can lead to problems later.

I have to agree with the first 2 replies, it is sin to be lusting according to Jesus.

also, there are better things to do with one's time. be unselfish and try to help others is another christian message. there are more productive things to do with one's time and resources than that.

 

[Gukkor]

I personally see absolutely no problem with masturbation in and of itself. Then again, look around this site for five minutes and you'll realize that there are plenty of Christians who disagree.

 

[LibraryOwl]

There is this really high, perhaps unrealistic ideal that we have- that is, the man who is exactly like Christ in all his ways. We want to be this man, and we try so hard. It is diffucult to understand, but in Jesus there was no lust for wealth or women. Satan took him on the mountain and offered him the whole world, but he refused.

Men have struggled very hard to fight their lust, and they have often been able to overcome it. Have you ever tried to not touch? Chances are, a week later, you had too, and you gave into that, which is exactly what is natural to do.

But we want to go beyond the natural, even if it is immensely, incredibly hard. There is a story that comes to us from the desert fathers in the early days of the church, of Abba John, who "made it in his mind to overcome his lusts, and withdrew unto his cell. There for thirteen years he did battle with his flesh, taking little food and fasting often, and having little contact with other men. After this period was up, he emerged from his cell, and was troubled by earthly pleasures no more."

 

[Pasat_14]

I guess there's also the other argument of doing everything to glorify God. To show His awesomeness. And even if you're alone in your room it doesn't give you the right to not glorify God. The more you do it the more natural it becomes, so you don't want it becoming a struggle.

Someone was once asked if it were a sin and other said to them, "well would you like to be raptured whilst doing it?" how would that look to Jesus? It would be slightly awkward I'd feel...that's like your parents catching you...only a zillion times worse

 

[Gukkor]

I guess there's also the other argument of doing everything to glorify God. To show His awesomeness. And even if you're alone in your room it doesn't give you the right to not glorify God. The more you do it the more natural it becomes, so you don't want it becoming a struggle.

Someone was once asked if it were a sin and other said to them, "well would you like to be raptured whilst doing it?" how would that look to Jesus? It would be slightly awkward I'd feel...that's like your parents catching you...only a zillion times worse

True, but I also wouldn't like my parents (or Jesus, for that matter) walking in on me while I'm undressed (for whatever reason; let's say I'm right in the middle of changing clothes). That doesn't mean that being undressed is itself sinful. Embarrassment and sin don't go hand-in-hand; that is, just as one can sin without being embarrassed about it, one can be embarrassed about something without it being a sin.

 

[Zunalter]

I personally think that the problem is with piety and legalism. Masturbation does not have the power all by itself to kill your salvation.

You forget the part about lusting during the process. Just because in your opinion it "isnt as bad" as other things like smoking, etc...doesnt make it morally defensible. All sin is lawlessness, and keeping the whole law and yet stumbling at just one point means you are still a lawbreaker.

Plus, we arent talking about killing salvation - just what is and is not proper behavior for Christians. Ask any Christian who has masturbated if they felt closer to God afterwards...

 

[Archangelus]

I dont see there is anything wrong with it because we all lust anyway and you cant have love without lust. Because you have to want love otherwise you just wouldn't care.

"Let you has not sinned cast the first stone"

 

[Key]

Well there is a fun history around it. Which starts around the publication of a book that claims that masturbation causes all kinds of health issues, which gave rise to an increased population of prostitutes.

However, the Bible, says nothing against Masturbation, there is a brief mention of it in Leviticus, but the only part that is mentions regarding it, would the that the emission of seamen, is unclean, with or with out a partner.

Is this a biblical issue, not really, it is more based upon social stigma, then any true form of actual scriptural support.

Medically, Masturbation, in moderation, is a healthy for the body, and there have been studies done that say that masturbation, is also mentally good for the individual.

So, I wish I could help you more, but, as far as I know, it purely a social issues, with it's roots in tradition.

God Bless

Key.