Is Masturbation a sin?

Reeniee · Jun 12, 2015

KTS said:
Since when does my husband have any authority over what I do with my own body? The only person with any authority over my own body is ME.

I'm not disagreeing with you on that, but out of curiosity would that argument not also allow adultery? Is fidelity in marriage not an example of the partners having 'authority' over each other's bodys, to some extent?

More on topic: I think it'd be pretty odd for someone to demand that their spouse did not touch, what would be their reasoning?

StephanieSomer · Jun 12, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
Since Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in the first century.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

I suggest you take a look at a person's declared faith before replying. Quoting Scriptural grounds for your understanding to an atheist is pretty silly, especially if you seem to indicate a belief that they should agree with you because of the Scripture. They deny that authority, so your argument is worthless to them.

Dave-W · Jun 12, 2015

StephanieSomer said:
Quoting Scriptural grounds for your understanding to an atheist is pretty silly, especially if you seem to indicate a belief that they should agree with you because of the Scripture.

I do understand that. But this is a christian discussion site.

While I understand those of other religious persuasions or no persuasion are here and can discuss; they should not be surprized at a scripture response. And it is the only real basis I have, any of us have, for what is ultimately true. They can engage at their own risk - or choose not to.

Kylie · Jun 12, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
Hey - you get complete control over your husband's body as well.
It is just not a one way street with you being the recipient of abuse.

No one has the right to control the body of another person, even if that other person gets to control their body.

No threat intended. I gotta stand there too.
We all do.

I'm sure you'll understand if I say I don't believe you are right...

Kylie · Jun 12, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
I do understand that. But this is a christian discussion site.

While I understand those of other religious persuasions or no persuasion are here and can discuss; they should not be surprized at a scripture response. And it is the only real basis I have, any of us have, for what is ultimately true. They can engage at their own risk - or choose not to.

You can quote scripture to me all you want, just don't be surprised when I remain unconvinced by it.

Kathryn Jensen · Jun 13, 2015

"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable."

Personally, I don't believe that you aren't looking at porn. If you are, you know it's sin. However, I'll take you are your word that you aren't. If you are married, sex is about love and love is about giving. Sex is about giving. Masturbation is ALL about self and self fulfillment. I believe that masturbation is a type of sin against your marriage. Further, if your masturbation at any time takes away from your having sex with your wife, it is wrong. If you touch and then your wife wants to have sex and you can't because you have sexual fulfilled yourself, it is wrong and sin against your wife and marriage.

Why isn't your wife enough?
Why is there a need to have sex with your wife AND touch?
How often are you having sex with your wife?
~ all rhetorical questions...
We aren't an animals. We should be able to control our sexual appetites to the point that our spouses are all we need.
If she has sexual problems, she needs to seek God and counseling
If there are problems in the marriage, fix them.

That's my advice...lol

Love, joy, and peace to you...

Kylie · Jun 13, 2015

Kathryn Jensen said:
If you are married, sex is about love and love is about giving.

Actually, sex is about procreation. Plus it's fun and a good way for two people to bond together.

Masturbation is ALL about self and self fulfillment.

And there's a good deal of evidence that suggests that masturbation is healthy, for guys at least. [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][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] regularly can help reduce the risk of getting problems with the prostate.

Further, if your masturbation at any time takes away from your having sex with your wife, it is wrong. If you touch and then your wife wants to have sex and you can't because you have sexual fulfilled yourself, it is wrong and sin against your wife and marriage.

No it isn't. If my husband wants to do it himself, and later I want sex, then I can take care of it myself, because I do not expect my husband to be ready to serve me sexually. He has his needs and I have mine, and neither of us is responsible for satisfying the others. I find the idea that one person can see another person as being necessary for the satisfaction of sexual needs to be a very abhorrent one.

Why isn't your wife enough?

No person should EVER be expected to act as the sex toy for someone else.

Oh, and two people might have very different sexual needs. If one person has a very low sex drive and the other person has a high sex drive, does this mean that they should not get married, despite being perfect matches in every other way? Or should the person with the lower drive just simply grin and bear it and have sex when they don't want to? There's a word for that - RAPE. Or how about the person who wants sex can just go and touch if the other person isn't in the mood?

Why is there a need to have sex with your wife AND touch?

Like I said, maybe because one person has a higher sex drive than the other?

We aren't an animals.

Actually, we are.

We should be able to control our sexual appetites to the point that our spouses are all we need.

So we should change who we are in order to satisfy others?

If she has sexual problems, she needs to seek God and counseling

Religion is far to occupied with what people do with their genitals and the genitals of others. If someone has sexual problems, then by all means seek counselling, but you don't need religion in order to get help.

If there are problems in the marriage, fix them.

That's the only thing you've said that I can agree with.

rosenherman · Jun 13, 2015

Albion said:
It's still considered a sin.

No it isn't a sin.

rosenherman · Jun 13, 2015

dayhiker said:
Just shows those that think its wrong don't have much to stand on.

You got it right.

rosenherman · Jun 13, 2015

Patrick Bateman said:
Doesn't make it any less wrong.

Doesn't make it wrong at all.

Albion · Jun 13, 2015

rosenherman said:
No it isn't a sin.

YOU may not consider it to be a sin, but my comment was not about what rosenherman thinks about masturbation.

StephanieSomer · Jun 13, 2015

Kathryn Jensen said:
Masturbation is ALL about self and self fulfillment.

Not necessarily. It can be used simply to relieve sexual tension to alleviate temptation to lust. I'm convinced that overuse will do the opposite and inflame lust. But, very occasional use would tend to reduce it. In that sense, it would actually provide the "way of escape" that the Scripture promises.

It is needful to recognize the principle of moderation which is all over the Scripture. Every single need we have can be met in a Godly way through the appropriate means. Food for hunger, drink for thirst, etc. But each and every good path to the meeting of needs can also be abused. Hence, we have gluttony, drunkenness, etc. The thing that is sinful in each case is not the use, but the misuse. The use is good and given by God for us to enjoy. So, I recognize the possibility of using masturbation in a similar manner, since there is no direct Scriptural prohibition.

I would question it's use within marriage, and advise a lot of consideration and openness between spouses. If one spouse has a greatly lower libido then the other, I could see a possible use for it to help eliminate the temptation to wander. But, that would have to be endorsed by the spouse, and not done secretly. In that case, I would view it very similar to adultery, since it would then be secret sexual satisfaction without the spouse. Satisfaction is meant to be shared, whether actually physically, or at the very least, emotionally and with consent.

Kathryn Jensen · Jun 13, 2015

Kylie, I see that you are an atheist. Obviously, I am a Christian. Therefore, we are going to find our 'truths' from completely different sources. Debating is a waste because neither will change the mind of the other. I choose to base my truths on what God says is truth because, otherwise, quite frankly, I'd probably be basing them on whatever feels good TO ME and whatever i decide is truth based on who knows what. And who knows where that would lead, to be honest. Well, I do know where that would lead; I have been down that road. And I look around today and see the road that others are taking. It's a scary thing.

My only response will be that sex is important to us because sex is important to God, and when He speaks on the topic, we should listen because he didn't just include them in the letters to the churches to fill up space and for the Apostles to have something to say.

One mention of it in particular is I Corinthians 7: 4,5
"The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self control (maybe we are animals LOL)

Love, joy, and peace to you today, Kylie.

Kathryn Jensen · Jun 13, 2015

It is needful to recognize the principle of moderation which is all over the Scripture. Every single need we have can be met in a Godly way through the appropriate means. Food for hunger, drink for thirst, etc. But each and every good path to the meeting of needs can also be abused. Hence, we have gluttony, drunkenness, etc. The thing that is sinful in each case is not the use, but the misuse. The use is good and given by God for us to enjoy. So, I recognize the possibility of using masturbation in a similar manner, since there is no direct Scriptural prohibition.

Ok, I could agree with the "moderation in masturbation" theory. There is no mention of it as being forbidden (and I doubt it was an oversight lol) so if there is a practical use of it, perhaps. I didn't realize that I called the act a sin in my post. I thought I said that it would be a "sin to the marriage." I still believe this.

I don't know that I can go so far as to say that the "use is good and given by God for us to enjoy." Where masturbation isn't forbidden, it doesn't say that the action is from God. If anything, i would say that any kind of "replacement" of what God designed would be from Satan, who is the author of God replacement. Sex between a man and a woman is God designed. Self-sex was God's design or man's design? I am not saying that merely because it was not God's design but man's that it is sin, but neither can we say that "the use is good and given by God for us to enjoy."

If one spouse has a greatly lower libido then the other, I could see a possible use for it to help eliminate the temptation to wander.
The only problem I have with this is that God seems to have a solution for the "libido" issue:
I Cor 7:4,5 The wife does not have authority over her body, but the husband does, and likewise, the husband does not have authority over his body but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self control.

Certainly, there are going to be reasons for not wanting to have sex one night or even a short season. However, this should not be a lifestyle; it should not be the norm. There should be no reasons for a man or woman to have to turn to self-satisfaction when neither is depriving the other on a regular basis. We would then only be dealing with it being acceptable during the short periods of abstinence. I am thinking that when one is fasting and praying and seeking God (which is when they are permitted to refrain from giving sexually to the other), that neither are masturbating...LOL

I would question it's use within marriage, and advise a lot of consideration and openness between spouses. But, that would have to be endorsed by the spouse, and not done secretly. In that case, I would view it very similar to adultery, since it would then be secret sexual satisfaction without the spouse. Satisfaction is meant to be shared, whether actually physically, or at the very least, emotionally and with consent.

Agree 100% with the last two comments.

Albion · Jun 13, 2015

There's another point that may deserve mention here. People who want to reject such ideas as a God who punishes as well as rewards, who holds anything that men do against them if it's a 'victimless' action or seems minor, or who cannot accept the thought that God cares about our misdeeds so long as we are loving and charitable towards our neighbor...tend to think in terms of sin being like murder or adultery. That's why we often hear "I haven't done anything wrong."

BUT in fact, "sin" is a falling short of the mark. It's a failing. It's anything that doesn't match up to God's ideal. In that sense, even what seem like minor and harmless actions can still be sins by definition. Even if God is not going to burn us in oil forever for doing them. Really. The question here didn't include any gray areas or qualifications so....

Kathryn Jensen · Jun 13, 2015

BUT in fact, "sin" is a falling short of the mark. It's a failing. It's anything that doesn't match up to God's ideal. In that sense, even what seem like minor and harmless actions can still be sins by definition. Even if God is not going to burn us in oil forever for doing them. Really. The question here didn't include any gray areas or qualifications so....

I am going to agree with you, and here's why, in short (I hope. I gotta git goin')

The Old Covenant (the Law) was specific to the nation of Israel (bottom line, to ensure the Messiah's birth)
The New Covenant is for all nations. New Covenant new way of dealing with people. In short, we are guided by the Holy Spirit
~ God writes his laws on our hearts...

They basically come down to "love God and love His creation whom He loves so much. When we love people, we won't lie to them, cheat them, steal from them. And, when we love God, we will do what He asks each of us personally, through the Holy Spirit. This, of course, is going to be different for each person and specific to their life. Ex: If God speaks to someone's heart to give money to a homeless person, or to whomever, and they don't do it, that is disobedience, and what I will call sin.

You are right, it's not just about the biggies. It's about whatever the Holy Spirit prompts us to do or asks of us.

StephanieSomer · Jun 13, 2015

Kathryn Jensen said:
The only problem I have with this is that God seems to have a solution for the "libido" issue:
I Cor 7:4,5 The wife does not have authority over her body, but the husband does, and likewise, the husband does not have authority over his body but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self control.

I recognize that truth. And I would hope all married spouses do also, as I'm sure you would agree. However, emotions don't always coincide with our understanding as they should. Whether or not that is wrong is not something I will address. But, I'm sure you do recognize that emotions can affect how we react. Often, with poor results. If one partner has a libido much higher than the other, one of them is going to end up feeling used all the time, while the other ends up feeling rejected. It's a difficult quandary, but it happens. And, it happens a lot more than people think. Since God obviously gives the ultimate power of choice over the satisfaction of the spouse to the partner, that spouse DOES have the authority, under God, to allow their partner permission to find temporary satisfaction, if they so choose. Read your quote carefully. It doesn't say that God has authority over his/her body. It says the spouse does. So, in the very verse you quoted is, I believe, the Scriptural formula under which masturbation IS acceptable, before God, in a marriage.

Kathryn Jensen · Jun 13, 2015

Ohhhhhhhhh....good point regarding who has the authority ~ I'm gonna give that some thought. I am waiting for Jurassic Park to begin; however, regarding this post, I'm more inclined to agree with everything you said.

StephanieSomer · Jun 13, 2015

Kathryn Jensen said:
Ohhhhhhhhh....good point regarding who has the authority ~ I'm gonna give that some thought. I am waiting for Jurassic Park to begin; however, regarding this post, I'm more inclined to agree with everything you said.

I'm glad you are receptive to the truth in God's Word, and not simply what "seems" to be true. All too often, we are prone to miss what God really says about our freedom in Christ. We truly are NOT under law. The law is good, if we use it correctly. But, we are not intended to be under subjection to it any longer; only to the law of Christ. And HIS burden, is light.

Kathryn Jensen · Jun 14, 2015

I'm glad you are receptive to the truth in God's Word, and not simply what "seems" to be true.
LOL Ehhhhhh, not so fast..

All too often, we are prone to miss what God really says about our freedom in Christ.
I disagree. The pendulum has swung from "rules rather than relationship vs obedience because of relationship, to the hyper-grace era of anything goes....From "let's scare them into acceptance with "Hellfire and Brimstone" messages to church messages being so water down with the "God is love message" that accountability and sin is rarely mentioned...

We truly are NOT under law.
We truly are not under the Mosaic Law. Not being under the Mosaic Law does not mean that we are not required to obey God and His 'commandments.'

I John 5:1-3 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of GOd; and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments."

I John 12:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments."

3:22...and whatever we ask of Him we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
3:24 and the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him..."

Romans 5:32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.
Romans 2:6;
I Cor 6: 9- written to the believers at Corinth lists quite a few lifestyle actions that will cause eternal separation.

The majority of Scriptures that were written regarding the Law was referring to the Mosaic Law. One of the biggest obstacles the early church faced was Messianic Jews who struggled with being led by the Holy Spirit in obedience to God rather The Law given specifically to the Jews at Mount Sinai. Some of the major players were actually telling newly saved Jews and the Gentiles, that they had to be circumcised to be saved or refraining from foods sacrificed to idols, etc. All Mosaic Law biggies. It was causing so much confusion that the counsel had to gather and make some decisions on what to tell the new Jewish and Gentile believers.

Acts 15, for example deals with decisions made regarding Gentiles: "but that we write to them that they should abstain from thing contaminated from idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood...For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things you will do well.

Could those believers have said that they were under grace and therefore were going to disregard the Holy Spirit and "eat things contaminated from idols and fornicate and eat things strangled? Sure. Would it have been disobedience, and thus sin?

There is never a time when we aren't obeying some commands from God for various reasons. Further, there is still sin; it just isn't disobeying The Mosaic Law. Jesus didn't set us free TO sin/disobey God. He enables us to NOT sin and to obey God. He gave us the power to be obedient. "if you love me you will obey my commandments." It's not that a truly saved person is free to sin. A truly saved person can not live a lifestyle of sin.

"There is no temptation but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able but with the temptation will make a way of escape." No excuse.

As God says, the law is fulfilled when you love Him and love people...because when you love people you won't lie to them; you won't cheat them, you won't steal from them; you aren't committing adultery with their spouse. "go and sin no more."
When you love God, then whatever He tells you to do, you will do (obey) it. This is not the Mosaic Law, this is down to something as simple as, "Give that homeless man some money." If you don't do it, this is disobedience. If God says,"This movie is inappropriate for you," but you say, "Oh, that must be Satan trying to put me back into the bondage of legalism," that's wrong. Well, that's ignorance...lol But once you realize it is God and disobey, that's sin.

There is a saying, "Freedom isn't free."

Adam and Eve had a commandment...obey God
The Children of Israel had 613 lol in The Mosaic Law "written in stone" (obviously to govern the nation)
Christians obey the commands "written on their hearts" (being led by the Spirit).
And the New Jerusalem will certainly not be a free for all...

Can you live a lifestyle of sin and be saved?

The law is good, if we use it correctly. But, we are not intended to be under subjection to it any longer; only to the law of Christ. And HIS burden, is light.[/QUOTE]

Is Masturbation a sin?

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