Is Masturbation a sin?

[BukiRob]

Agreed that it is very disturbing. But IMO it goes back to the whole concept of making "M" sinful to begin with. So it is easy for the devil to come in and since you are sinning anyway, why not enhance the experience? And once you have done that a few times, the brain gets wired to need that additional visual stimulus. And now you are hooked.

BTW - the numbers of women using porn for solo enjoyment is growing by leaps and bounds. It will be equal to men in a few years.

Well, being a guy, Im not really equipped to speak for the ladies

 

[Kylie]

BTW - the numbers of women using porn for solo enjoyment is growing by leaps and bounds. It will be equal to men in a few years.

If by porn, you mean pics or videos, then it's not really my thing, although my husband likes it. I prefer reading stories.

 

[Dave-W]

If by porn, you mean pics or videos, then it's not really my thing, although my husband likes it. I prefer reading stories.

I would include the stories as "porn" as well since the greek words that generated "pornography" were pornas and graphos - which means the writings of slave prostitutes.

But the stats I have seen were collected from internet video sites who have been tracking the demographics of their clients/customers.

 

[AlexDTX]

But my real question is, is it a sin if you do it and not look at porn. Because I do touch but I don't don't look at other women.

Calling anything sin misses the point of salvation. For those with the new birth which is the evidence of our covenant with Jesus, the question is it wisdom or folly? For in Christ, God only sees us as righteous saints. Now, does that mean am I saying there is no sin? No. Consider what Paul told the Romans in chapter 5. From Adam to Moses there was no law, and where no law was there was no sin. Nevertheless death reign until then (paraphrasing).

Even if you do not look at porn while you touch, I suspect that you imagine women while doing so. But at its root it remains sensuality.

We are told whatever is not of faith is sin. The very fact that you ask shows that you regard it as sin, so it is sin for you. Getting back to wisdom and folly, anything called sin in the Bible, or is regarded as sin by the individual always has spiritual consequences. One consequence is hardness of heart so you no longer see the damage being done by the action. This is the folly I referred to. Wisdom is doing what is considered right because the consequences are beneficial, not detrimental.

 

[Kylie]

We are told whatever is not of faith is sin.

Does that include things like making a sandwich, washing the car or going to the toilet?

 

[AlexDTX]

Does that include things like making a sandwich, washing the car or going to the toilet?

Hi Kylie,

The context of Paul's statement is in Romans 14 where he admonishes brothers stronger in faith to be considerate of those weaker in faith. This was an era of idolatry and legalism and the issue was eating meat offered to idols. Paul states that meat is just meat and is to be received with thanksgiving. However, there were believers who still had not made the separation in their minds that the meat was still apart of that idolatry. Paul's point was that he knew that the meat was nothing, but if he knew his brother regarded it as idolatrous, and he was going to eat with that brother, then he would refuse the meat for sake of the weak brother's conscience.

So in regards to your sandwich, washing the car or going to the toilet, it would depend on the person you are with. Some believers are still heavy legalists and those things could be an offence to them. And my use of the phrase was in regard to the one masturbating. If he regarded it as sin, then to him it was sin.

Sin is a poor way to think on these things. The question is, does this activity draw us further into our discipleship with Christ. Very few people understand male sexuality, including most men. Male sexuality is 90% imagination and 10% hormonal drive (my percentages are hyperbole for effect). Viagra does create male erections. All it does is increase the heart rate and blood flow. A man's erection is triggered in his mind. He sees something that might arouse him; he feels something that might arouse; etc. then his imagination anticipates [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] and he becomes erect.

Christian discipleship is the renewing of our minds and controlling our thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10 tells us that we are to keep captive those thoughts that are obedient to Christ and with a readiness of revenge to cast out those thoughts that are disobedient to Him. Philippians tells us to think on whatsoever is lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy and so on.

While there is no direct statement in Scriptures forbidding masturbation, the Spirit of discipleship puts a check in our heart not to do so. A disciple of Christ is sensitive to the still small voice of the Lord and seeks to please Him in everything.

 

[Kathryn Jensen]

• Does that include things like making a sandwich, washing the car or going to the toilet?

Sigh, Kylie, really....? ; )

 

[dayhiker]

Its not hard to make a sandwich in faith ... if we do all to the glory of God or thank God for it then we are living in faith and its not a sin.

Clearly not the same as sins that hurt people. But it is a standard that we Christians are to live to.

That's what I thank God for the pleasure I receive when I touch. Sexual pleasure is one of the best gifts from God as far as
I'm concern. So I often take time to thank Him for it.

 

[AlexDTX]

... if we do all to the glory of God or thank God for it

That's what I thank God for the pleasure I receive when I touch. Sexual pleasure is one of the best gifts from God as far as I'm concern. So I often take time to thank Him for it.

Oh my... you touch to the glory of God? Beware of hardness of heart, friend.

 

[AlexDTX]

This topic has stirred up many more thoughts than I realized I had. The bottom line in every question of right or wrong is does the behavior express the love of God? Specifically, what is called in the Greek, agape love, which is a selfless love that cares more for the welfare of another than for oneself. Masturbation is selfish, not selfless.

I think just because the Greeks had a variety of names for love... eros for erotic love; phileo for friendship; etc ... there really is only one love, agape, which may be expressed through other forms. For example, just because Hebrews tells us that the marriage bed is holy and undefiled ( Heb. 13:4), that does not mean you can have any kind of sex with your wife. If she is reluctant and you force her using 1 Cor. 7 as a club, it is a violation of her will, thus remains rape. Likewise if you have intercourse without regard to her feelings, you are merely masturbating with her body. I have been married to my beloved for almost 25 years, and yet the Lord gave me a dream recently letting me know that my sexual behavior with her is selfish in 6 ways (I don't remember what they were, I only know I must be more considerate of her feelings in the future). I suspect that most wives tolerate their husbands fumbling with their bodies because they love them, but get little pleasure out of the duty.

There is a pastor in Denton, Texas who had gained renown for his expository study of the Love Song of Solomon. He acknowledges the metaphor of Christ's love for the church, but believes God really wanted to give direction on marital love. If you have a chance to listen to his tapes and study guide, it is an eye-opener on considerate love.

Sexuality is a gift with great pleasure, but I don't think many (myself included) have ever understood how to express agape love through erotic love. If one does not see the utter selfishness of masturbation, then I think those people are a long way from understanding what true godly love is.

 

[Kathryn Jensen]

That's what I thank God for the pleasure I receive when I touch. Sexual pleasure is one of the best gifts from God as far as
I'm concern. So I often take time to thank Him for it.

Out of curiosity, Dayhiker, do you look at porn when you touch? I am assuming that you are not looking at porn "to the glory of God." But have to ask. : ) And, are you married?

 

[Kathryn Jensen]

There is a pastor in Denton, Texas who had gained renown for his expository study of the Love Song of Solomon. He acknowledges the metaphor of Christ's love for the church, but believes God really wanted to give direction on marital love. If you have a chance to listen to his tapes and study guide, it is an eye-opener on considerate love.

What is his name?

 

[AlexDTX]

There is a pastor in Denton, Texas who had gained renown for his expository study of the Love Song of Solomon. He acknowledges the metaphor of Christ's love for the church, but believes God really wanted to give direction on marital love. If you have a chance to listen to his tapes and study guide, it is an eye-opener on considerate love.

What is his name?

Tommy Nelson. His material is quite old. I made my own study notes of his material, and put it on my website but hearing the tapes is much more fruitful.

 

[AphroditeGoneAwry]

I can't find that it's a sin anywhere in the Bible. I guess an argument could be made for it being sexual. But being with oneself isn't really considered 'sex'. God wants us to enjoy pleasure, just not sin doing it!

There is this little tidbit about [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]:

• 
  
  Do not play the harlot with images or things fashioned by your hand. ~Ezekiel 16:17
  
  

 

[AlexDTX]

I can't find that it's a sin anywhere in the Bible. I guess an argument could be made for it being sexual. But being with oneself isn't really considered 'sex'. God wants us to enjoy pleasure, just not sin doing it!

There is this little tidbit about [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]:

• 
  
  Do not play the harlot with images or things fashioned by your hand. ~Ezekiel 16:17
  
  

I encourage you to read Sheila Cooley's book, "Why the Hymen." She makes a compelling case that sexual intercourse is a covenant act for marriage which joins two together into one. She refers to the covenant act made by God and Abram wherein Abram cut a heifer in half and walked in between them, the God did the same as a light. Passing through the flesh is what intercourse does. She then argues that anything other than a man and woman passing through the flesh is perverse. As man is the head and woman the body, two men then are two head joined together, whereas two woman are two bodies joined together. A man passing his hand over himself is a perverse covenant with himself which hinders his ability to be joined to a woman. The world makes intercourse a recreational activity and too many believers in Christ accept that point of view. As a result we are all messed up in our understanding.

 

[AphroditeGoneAwry]

Hmm. Interesting. I can see the penetration angle but not the superficial touch aspect, of rubbing or stroking one's own flesh.
Also, the Bible does not say two women cannot lie together, only two men. Although Paul refers to 'unnatural acts' by women with women I believe. However, two women with one man (whom they are married to) does not seem unnatural an act at all. Perhaps he is referring to two women alone.


I definitely agree that sex should be a sacred expression of love reserved for those who are man and wife.

And I agree that one's spouse has the right to nix masturbation.

 

[Kylie]

I encourage you to read Sheila Cooley's book, "Why the Hymen." She makes a compelling case that sexual intercourse is a covenant act for marriage which joins two together into one. She refers to the covenant act made by God and Abram wherein Abram cut a heifer in half and walked in between them, the God did the same as a light. Passing through the flesh is what intercourse does. She then argues that anything other than a man and woman passing through the flesh is perverse. As man is the head and woman the body, two men then are two head joined together, whereas two woman are two bodies joined together. A man passing his hand over himself is a perverse covenant with himself which hinders his ability to be joined to a woman. The world makes intercourse a recreational activity and too many believers in Christ accept that point of view. As a result we are all messed up in our understanding.

The idea that the hymen breaks during the first sex isn't really an accurate one.

http://www.yourtango.com/201172815/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-hymen

 

[Kylie]

And I agree that one's spouse has the right to nix masturbation.

Could you say why?

 

[GrowingSmaller]

To the OP. It depends which end of the bell curve you are. I met someone who masturbated once a month. In the paper I read of someone who goes for it 20 or 30 times a day. Personally if I don't, well the way women are undressed nowadays, its not a wise option. Nervounness and all, Jenn D style.

 

[KitKatMatt]

But the stats I have seen were collected from internet video sites who have been tracking the demographics of their clients/customers.

I wonder how accurate those demographics are? Not that I think there would be an enormous discrepancy, but I would just be curious as to how many females chose "male" as their browsing gender for any reason. I always choose male for reasons.