Is masturbating a sin?

[AThaddeus]

Do it in church then

Please don't take this as an insult, but this argument is extremely bad.
Would you sing songs from children's tv shows, dance to silly songs or laugh at memes you saw on the internet at Church?
I guess not.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

This is why masturbation is wrong. Sex is meant only for marriage. Sexual intimacy is to be reserved only for your spouse. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul lays out God's principles for sex and sexual practices. Basically it comes down to, you are only to relieve your sexual urges with your spouse. Otherwise it's a lack of self control which is sin.

 

[Sabertooth]

Please don't take this as an insult, but this argument is extremely bad.
Would you sing songs from children's tv shows, dance to silly songs or laugh at memes you saw on the internet at Church?
I guess not.

Further, would anybody have married sex at church (which is otherwise acceptable in an appropriate time & place)?
It is a bad argument indeed.

~~~​

A young newlywed couple wanted to join a church.
The pastor told them,

"We have special requirements for new parishioners. You must abstain from having sex for two weeks."​

The couple agreed and came back at the end of two weeks.
The pastor asked them,

"Well, were you able to get through the two weeks without being intimate?"​

"Pastor, I'm afraid we were not able to go without sex for the two weeks," the young man replied.

"What happened?" inquired the pastor.

"My wife was reaching for a can of corn on the top shelf and dropped it. When she bent over to pick it up, I was overcome with passion and took advantage of her right there."

"You understand, of course, that this means you will not be welcome in our church," stated the pastor.

"That's okay," said the young man. "We're not welcome at the grocery store anymore either."

 

[HIM]

Please don't take this as an insult, but this argument is extremely bad.
Would you sing songs from children's tv shows, dance to silly songs or laugh at memes you saw on the internet at Church?
I guess not.

It was not presented on the basis of a sound argument. It was posted for it's shock value in respect to how disgusting the act is anywhere let alone church.
Besides we are the Temple of the living God, a holy habitation for the Spirit not that building. Let's Meditate on that the next time we decide to do any wrong.

And in respect to your question those things are done constantly in most church's social halls. And in some their sanctuaries. But I understand your point. The building was consecrated by man for worship. But I hope you do not miss the one presented to you here. We are consecrated by God through His Spirit. We through God are more sacred than any building.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

It was not presented on the basis of a sound argument. It was posted for it's shock value in respect to how disgusting the act is anywhere let alone church.
Besides we are the Temple of the living God, a holy habitation for the Spirit not that building. Let's Meditate on that the next time we decide to do any wrong.

And in respect to your question those things are done constantly in most church's social halls. And in some their sanctuaries. But I understand your point. The building was consecrated by man for worship. But I hope you do not miss the one presented to you here. We are consecrated by God through His Spirit. We through God are more sacred than any building.

100% spot on. Most people miss that but about our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit and how we are to Glorify God in our bodies everywhere we are. I would wager more believers would act more appropriately if that truth was taught more.

Now something else I think people need to understand is the ultimate power already exists to have victory over sin. In fact, in regards to sin and temptation scripture gives us a few assures on how to overcome, the main two are how Jesus responded to His temptation, by quoting scripture. But to quote scripture we have to know scripture, which means less time doing other things and more time with God. Surprisingly, this is a lot to ask people to profess to follow Christ.

Secondly, in 1 Corinthians, we are told that we all face the same temptations, and that God will make a way of escape. He is faithful, but we have to ask Him for grace (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Lastly, we would all do ourselves a major favor if we would avoid places, people, and things that we know will open the door to temptation. Just scrolling through my one social media account, there's untold numbers of illicit photos and messages. We as God's children have to do a better job of keeping ourselves out of those harmful situations. Walking into a den of wolves is not wise for sheep.

But the other problem is we tell ourselves, well God will forgive me. It's just one time. Yes God will forgive, but He wants to rejoice with us that we choose the path of righteousness. Not to mention, every time we give in to sin, we enslave ourselves just a bit more to that (Romans 6:16)

 

[AThaddeus]

It was not presented on the basis of a sound argument. It was posted for it's shock value in respect to how disgusting the act is anywhere let alone church.
Besides we are the Temple of the living God, a holy habitation for the Spirit not that building. Let's Meditate on that the next time we decide to do any wrong.

And in respect to your question those things are done constantly in most church's social halls. And in some their sanctuaries. But I understand your point. The building was consecrated by man for worship. But I hope you do not miss the one presented to you here. We are consecrated by God through His Spirit. We through God are more sacred than any building.

I think I understand your point too, but I have seen people say that if you wouldn't do something in public (like the examples I gave) then it's wrong.

 

[dan.pine]

In Orthodoxy sin is the misuse of our God given powers. Not necessarily a legal or illegal act. Anything can really be turned into a sin if done for self-love, aka pride. Masturbation is one of several selfish acts of sexual immoral behavior. Does anyone think that Adam was allowed to hide behind a tree and pleasure himself instead of uniting with his wife? Selfish sex with a spouse for our own gratification is also a problem. Abusive self serving sex with a spouse is wrong even though it’s your spouse. The point is that every motivation is supposed to be a loving, self emptying, self sacrificing act. Not to mention the incredible mystery that St. Paul addresses about married being a mystery of Christ and His church. Hard to imagine masturbation or any sexual immorality fitting into that statement by St. Paul. In Orthodoxy any act of sex not done in marriage as a loving sacrificial love for the other spouse is a sin as well as using body parts intended for non-sexual function but being misused as instruments of sex.

 

[Sabertooth]

[Climaxing] does not defile the Temple of the Holy Spirit [i.e. one's body] unless it is done in an adulterous context.
(If that were not true, nocturnal emissions would be sin.)

 

[ByTheSpirit]

[Climaxing] does not violate the Temple of the Holy Spirit [i.e. one's body] unless it is done in an adulterous context.
(If that were not true, nocturnal emissions would be sin.)

"Climaxing" is not necessarily the issue at question here (although it could be easily). It's about lacking self-control.

 

[Sabertooth]

"Climaxing" is not necessarily the issue at question here (although it could be easily). It's about lacking self-control.

Your view condemns volitional, unadulterous climaxing as being a lack of self-control.
Self-control is

• not doing so in an inappropriate setting
• nor participating in adultery (real or virtual).

 

[joymercy]

To answer the OP:

"God knows that we will sometimes fail, but He does expect us to do our best to live according to His ways. He knows when we have done all we can to resist sin. If we have done that and have acknowledged and confessed our sin, then we can rest in the knowledge that we have done our best, and that He will forgive us."

Masturbation: Mortal Sin?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Your view condemns volitional, unadulterous climaxing as being a lack of self-control.
Not doing so in an inappropriate setting is self-control.
Not participating in adultery (real or virtual) is self-control.

I think what you are missing here is the urge to touch comes from a place of sexual desire or fulfillment, even in a non-adulterous way. Which you would be hard pressed to convince me that a person could even perform that act in such a manner. But that's a different issue I think.

The urge to climax and fulfill that are 100% sexual desires, one of the most dangerous urges that us humans combat. Masturbating can cause a loss of sensation in our sexual organs which means that when we get married, our sexual appetite and desires for our spouse can be lowered. It harms what God has given us as a SACRED and HOLY institution. Those are also reasons why it's wrong.

But all of that points back to the issue I raised a few posts back, it's about self control. We are told to keep our flesh in check and not give into it's demands and desires, that a fruit of the Spirit is Self-Control. It's a cop out to say that God is ok with me masturbating and giving in to my urges because I'm not lusting after someone else in my heart. You may not be lusting after another, but you are lusting after your own flesh. We are to rule over our flesh, not give in to it.

 

[Sabertooth]

I think what you are missing here is the urge to touch comes from a place of sexual desire or fulfillment, even in a non-adulterous way.

Apart from adultery, sexual desire/fulfillment is not inherently sinful.
Marriage is the ideal, long-term fix, but that does not criminalize (unadulterous) masturbation.

Masturbating can cause a loss of sensation in our sexual organs which means that when we get married, our sexual appetite and desires for our spouse can be lowered.

Only during the refractory period (in males) and that is true after married sex, too.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Only during the refractory period (in males) and that is true after married sex, too.

But that's missing the point. You get the urge to touch to fulfill your sexual needs, and give in to that. That's not self-control, that's self slavery. When I find fulfillment in myself, I don't need to be fulfilled in God, or in another (a spouse). When we are tempted with these things, we need to find our place in Christ. It's like an addiction, the more you give in to that, you are training your brain, your body that it needs that thing to continue, thus making a break from that addiction more difficult later. Be addicted to Christ! Find fulfillment in Him, not in the passing urges our flesh offers us!

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
Romans 6:19 BSB

 

[zoidar]

But that's missing the point. You get the urge to touch to fulfill your sexual needs, and give in to that. That's not self-control, that's self slavery. When I find fulfillment in myself, I don't need to be fulfilled in God, or in another (a spouse). When we are tempted with these things, we need to find our place in Christ. It's like an addiction, the more you give in to that, you are training your brain, your body that it needs that thing to continue, thus making a break from that addiction more difficult later. Be addicted to Christ! Find fulfillment in Him, not in the passing urges our flesh offers us!

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
Romans 6:19 BSB

What about other things in life? Are we slaves to sin if we need coffee or tea every now and then or need to take an afternoon nap every day? I wouldn't say we are. So self-control by itself is not needed to avoid sin in all aspects of life. If masturbation is a sin it is, not because it's a temptation, because we are tempted by all kinds of things that aren't sin, but because the act itself is sinful (if it now is sinful).

 

[dan.pine]

Every Christian tradition looks at sin differently unfortunately. If your tradition looks at sin in a very legal/ judicial way then masturbation is a problem because it’s not clearly written as a law. But that opens up a million problems, are 3 beers allowed by 4 a sin? Are 3 meals a day a go but 4 meals a no go? legalism also is a way for people who have a “pet” sin that they really don’t want to let go of, and to be able to hold on to that sin. They simply say that there’s no clear cut law banning the activity so it must be ok. These tend to be people who really enjoy some act Of self love and really want to a reason to continue doing it. These “pet” sins are cares of the world that choke out good seed. Satan attempted to twist Scripture with Christ. Something that legalism is powerless to defend against, Satan is an accuser, a prosecuting lawyer. He eats people up when they step into that realm.
The tradition that I belong to states that sin is simply the misuse of the intended purpose of anything as originally designed by God. Simply put, we were made to worship (λατρεία ) God at all times. That Greek word for worship paints a picture of extreme love and dedication. We also were the caretakers of creation. Jesus restored us to our original design. The reason for the language of love the Lord with all of your heart, love you neighbor as yourself, pick up your cross etc is because of this reconciliation and restoration by Christ. We also have the language from Paul that something lawful done in front of a brother that temps them due to weakness because a sin. So therefore we’re supposed to continue our originally role as men and women per Gods original design in a fallen world. (Which is tough, and this thread is an example of that complexity). So is self love and self satisfaction apart of Gods original design? That’s were righteousness and sin lie. In an Orthodox opinion. Not throwing stones at anyone. Hope this helps someone.

 

[Sabertooth]

You get the urge to touch to fulfill your sexual needs, and give in to that. That's not self-control, that's self slavery.

That is not slavery. It is a God-given appetite. Meeting it through adultery is the perversion.

When I find fulfillment in myself, I don't need to be fulfilled in God, or in another (a spouse).

No one is going to turn down a proper meal in favor of bread & water...

 

[ZephBonkerer]

We are the Temple of God, the church, holy ground. Our behavior is to be the same regardless of what building we are in.

Nonsense. There are things that would be highly inappropriate and sometimes even criminal if done in public, but not so in the privacy of our own homes.

 

[ZephBonkerer]

My response to any question that takes the form "Is X a sin?", I will consider these things:

(1) Is there some explicit mention of X as sin?
(2) If so, is it per se or only under certain circumstances?
(3) What moral principles are at stake?

This isn't a defense of moral relativism. There was a time in our society when something called "situational ethics" was considered a dirty word because it seemed to imply that moral principles can be cast away when they became inconvenient. But that is not necessarily so. In fact, all ethics are situational to some extent.

 

[HIM]

We are the Temple of God, the church, holy ground. Our behavior is to be the same regardless of what building we are in.

Nonsense. There are things that would be highly inappropriate and sometimes even criminal if done in public, but not so in the privacy of our own homes.

Situation ethics is nonsense due to the subjectivity it stems from. Sexually immorality is a sin. We are not to feed the lusts of the flesh anytime, anywhere. What the world sees as highly inappropriate, criminal or legal not does not always equal to that to which God deems.