Is self pleasuring a sin?

[Danielof the Island]

I've an honest and sincere question. I discovered "self pleasure" in the shower some 2-3 years ago. I've done it ever sinse. However, I don't get "pleasure" out of it... it's more like a release, that's the best word I can think of. I don't know why I do it, I just do. However, I've decided that not knowing if it's a sin is too risky, so as of tonight, I've made the decission to cease in such actions.

My question:

Is it a sin to do it once a day, before bed, to avoid waking up with a "mess" in the morning?

Thanks for your input.

Incase there's any question, this is not a struggle. It's not a temptation, I just do it out of boredom, really... However, if it is a sin regardless, then I have no problem with ceasing to do "it." Thanks again for your input.

 

[apologia25]

Bro,
It is interesting to see your objective look at masturbation. The problem lies that at first it seems to be that way. But each time you do it your sex drive becomes more in control and your spirit is suppressed. I have had friends that ask that same question. Isn't it just a release?, isn't it something God made our bodies to do? I will say that we really have no control over wet dreams. As someone who has struggled with masturbation I can tell you a wet dream can sometimes be the escape from falling into sin. It sounds funny but let me say it is our natural valve to let it out when there is too much.
The problem with doing it once a day is that eventually you will do it more. From this position it is like a casual smoker saying to a smoker that he can quit any time without realizing the full extent of the addiction. Medically speaking the endorphins released while masturbating give us a sort of high along with what follows. EVentually our bodies get used to having the high and begin needing it every day like a dose of heroin, just as powerful and destructive
I will also encourage you to read your bible when your bored. Most who struggle will say idle times are when they fall. There are so many things to add to this world that we can use our free time for, instead of self-pleasure

 

[Beanface]

Yes Daniel, this is infact a sin. I would definately say stop doing it - you're lucky that you don't have a problem stopping!

 

[orichalc]

/delete

 

[Chajara]

I think the difference is whether or not you're heavily fantasizing about things, and whether or not you're doing it constantly. I used to do both, while I was going through the puberty years and dealing with a rough home life.

Nowadays, I still do it every so often but it's never an addiction anymore. My sex drive has cooled its jets some, especially since I'm using birth control and an anti-depressant. When I do, it's just because I'm tired of feeling aroused and want to get rid of it, or sometimes I'll do it to get my period to hurry up and start so I won't have a surprise the next day at school or something.

In any event, there are many views on whether or not its a sin. I personally am not convicted that it is for me anymore.

 

[Ilovemyhusband]

I've an honest and sincere question. I discovered "self pleasure" in the shower some 2-3 years ago. I've done it ever sinse. However, I don't get "pleasure" out of it... it's more like a release, that's the best word I can think of. I don't know why I do it, I just do. However, I've decided that not knowing if it's a sin is too risky, so as of tonight, I've made the decission to cease in such actions.

My question:

Is it a sin to do it once a day, before bed, to avoid waking up with a "mess" in the morning?

Thanks for your input.

Incase there's any question, this is not a struggle. It's not a temptation, I just do it out of boredom, really... However, if it is a sin regardless, then I have no problem with ceasing to do "it." Thanks again for your input.

I am not sure if you know Dr. James Dobson or not, but he is a Christian psychologist. I would post his view, but it is long. He is rational in his view of masturbation and I hold to it. It is reasonable.

I don't think that masturbation necessarily equates lust. I think for men, especially, it becomes necessary as the build up of sperm can be very painful at times. There were a lot of people telling me that Onan in Genesis was a good example of why NOT to touch, but it was not the act of spilling his seed on the floor or even pulling out. It was disobedience to God in not impregnating his brother's wife to bring up a child for his dead brother. It had nothing to do with that.

I think when you are married, you should cease masturbation without your spouse. It leads to problems in the marriage; however, repressing masturbation while single once you have engaged in it only makes the problem obsessive and problematic.

At any rate, I think you should read Dr. Dobson's rational response:

http://www.uexpress.com/focusonthefamily/?uc_full_date=20050327

 

[Marie D]

The Bible tells us that all sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin. Some guys say they do it because they could produce sperm in their sleep and some girls claim they abuse themselves to bring on their periods.
IMHO there's nothing sinful about sperm coming out if you've not made it happen, and periods are natural and nothing to be ashamed of. In both cases, these are just excuses for sin.

 

[Deiesous]

The Bible tells us that all sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin. Some guys say they do it because they could produce sperm in their sleep and some girls claim they abuse themselves to bring on their periods.
IMHO there's nothing sinful about sperm coming out if you've not made it happen, and periods are natural and nothing to be ashamed of. In both cases, these are just excuses for sin.

WWWWOOOOOO!hold on there buddy.
No, not all sexuality is a sin when outside of marriage! How do people decide to merry? They spend time with each other, get to know each other, kiss (or makeout), and do a number of things that are "sexual" without being sex! otherwise, any guy who ever thought a girl was pretty would be in sin!

 

[Danielof the Island]

It may be "natural" to happen while sleeping, but it sure as heck isn't good for the undies and sheets.

 

[janny108]

I am not sure if you know Dr. James Dobson or not, but he is a Christian psychologist. I would post his view, but it is long. He is rational in his view of masturbation and I hold to it. It is reasonable.

I don't think that masturbation necessarily equates lust. I think for men, especially, it becomes necessary as the build up of sperm can be very painful at times. There were a lot of people telling me that Onan in Genesis was a good example of why NOT to touch, but it was not the act of spilling his seed on the floor or even pulling out. It was disobedience to God in not impregnating his brother's wife to bring up a child for his dead brother. It had nothing to do with that.

I think when you are married, you should cease masturbation without your spouse. It leads to problems in the marriage; however, repressing masturbation while single once you have engaged in it only makes the problem obsessive and problematic.

At any rate, I think you should read Dr. Dobson's rational response:

http://www.uexpress.com/focusonthefamily/?uc_full_date=20050327

But Dr. Dobson is not the only Christian doctor. I would not do something or not do something based on what someone notable believes. I would check it out with scripture. He may be leading thousands astray on this matter.
Jan

 

[Ilovemyhusband]

Okay I trust Dr. Dobson...he is very scriptural in his beliefs. I challenge you to look in scripture and find one instance where masturbation is incorrect?


I suppose a better question is: Is masturbation wrong when your spouse is watching you do it?

If not, what is the difference?

 

[Marie D]

WWWWOOOOOO!hold on there buddy.
No, not all sexuality is a sin when outside of marriage! How do people decide to merry? They spend time with each other, get to know each other, kiss (or makeout), and do a number of things that are "sexual" without being sex! otherwise, any guy who ever thought a girl was pretty would be in sin!

I'm sorry but I don't agree with you *one little bit*!
People decide to marry because they love each other's souls, as children of God. Sure, some people (not all) kiss and hig before marriage, but they definitely *shouldn't* do sexual things (even if these fall short of full intercourse) because the Bible tells us that sexual activity outside of marriage is sin.
No way is a guy who thinks a girl is pretty committing a sin. But if he has lustful thoughts about her and commits self abuse then he's sinning, and also insulting her.

 

[Christian24]

I only do it when I cant stand the urge any longer and I want to suppress my sexual drive. Its ok to do once in awhile or you will just explode with sexual feelings sooner or later. Saying that it is just an excuse is foolish in my eyes . Sin is anything that isn't faith. It's everything that sepertes us from God physically or mentally. Just don'lt let it get control of you like it did to me , buddy.

 

[Marie D]

I only do it when I cant stand the urge any longer and I want to suppress my sexual drive. Its ok to do once in awhile or you will just explode with sexual feelings sooner or later. Saying that it is just an excuse is foolish in my eyes . Sin is anything that isn't faith. It's everything that sepertes us from God physically or mentally. Just don'lt let it get control of you like it did to me , buddy.

I don't think that committing sexual self abuse means you are suppressing your sexual drive. On the contrary, you are making it stronger, by giving in to lustful urges and fantasies.
If you rid yourself of this addiction by being strong, you will not explode with sexual feelings - you will learn to control them.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

I'm sorry but I don't agree with you *one little bit*!
People decide to marry because they love each other's souls, as children of God. Sure, some people (not all) kiss and hig before marriage, but they definitely *shouldn't* do sexual things (even if these fall short of full intercourse) because the Bible tells us that sexual activity outside of marriage is sin.
No way is a guy who thinks a girl is pretty committing a sin. But if he has lustful thoughts about her and commits self abuse then he's sinning, and also insulting her.

Just curious as to why you describe masturbation as Self Abuse? The kid is not cutting himself or in inflicting any other self harm. The kid is jerking off on occasion. And any male that states he does not Jerk off on occasion, is a Liar. Thus YOU HAVE TWO SINS LOL.

 

[phnx]

Okay well i ceased doing it about 5 months ago now and havn't done so since. It became almost like an idol at times and would always come around again in a few days. But each time i defeated the temptation it built me up to be stronger for the next time. Heck i'd even go as far to say that i needed to struggle and be in lets face it pretty mild pain compared to what lots of people go through. People who have stopped for the length i have will often share my view that you really don't need to do it, as opposed to those who havn't. That says something to me..

To be honest i think a lot of guys (and girls) like to make excuses when they know deep down that it's lust. It's very difficult, some may say impossible to do without having some lustfull thought in you're head.

Heck yeah it's hard to supress sometimes. But try praying when it comes on! If you sincerely don't want to sin sexually and not be seperated in God then spend some time with him, calling on him for help. Remember Jesus went through the teenage years too i reckon he had a few difficulties along the way!!

Just my 2 cents though, I can't say I know the "right answer". Only what has worked for my life

 

[MaryBurwell]

I've an honest and sincere question. I discovered "self pleasure" in the shower some 2-3 years ago. I've done it ever sinse. However, I don't get "pleasure" out of it... it's more like a release, that's the best word I can think of. I don't know why I do it, I just do. However, I've decided that not knowing if it's a sin is too risky, so as of tonight, I've made the decission to cease in such actions.

My question:

Is it a sin to do it once a day, before bed, to avoid waking up with a "mess" in the morning?

Thanks for your input.

Incase there's any question, this is not a struggle. It's not a temptation, I just do it out of boredom, really... However, if it is a sin regardless, then I have no problem with ceasing to do "it." Thanks again for your input.

I don't think it's a sin but I do think you would be alot happier to excercise willpower than to do that. It's just a mental thing that you will feel better about yourself because you seem to think it is something to be ashamed of and you sound convicted by the Holy Ghost about it. You would probably be alot more confident in yourself and it would be one less thng to be plagued about. It isn't about it being right or wrong. It's just about what is best for you as an individual.

The way I know this is because the Bible says in Romans 14:23- "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

Your own conscious "damns" you in the action you do- which means it produces rotten fruit in your life and sorrow instead of good fruit of joy and love to others. Continuing to do things that you do not feel 100 percent confident about that God approves them will keep you from other blessings that God wants to give you. Just work at not doing it and see if you don't start getting blessings in your life from relationships that the action is maybe currently keeping you from.

 

[BrianAloisi]

This is pretty amazing and embaressing but I'm going to go ahead and say it.

My understand is that masturbation is infact a sin and here is how I know..

I was doing it myself and once I had release I went to the bathroom to dispose of it...As I sat down then to use the toilet I wondered to myself God...Is this a sin? Thinking I would skim over the bible to see if I could find anything in there about it I reached to the counter and opened up the book to a random page. The first thing I saw were these words....

"The law concerning bodily discharges"

Just as I had asked God aloud if it was a sin I opened to the EXACT page that it talks about it! I was stunned.

Look it up for yourself...Leviticus 15:01 page 101 of the old testament.

 

[headedhome]

No its not a sin. The word of God no where says it is, man does. God knows what masturbation is and He doesn't condemn it. He condemns beastiality, He condemns sodomy, He condemns many forms of sexual activity but masturbation isn't one of them. Now what your thinking about while doing this could be a sin. If your fantasizing about someone or having other impure thoughts that would be a sin, but it would be even if you weren't masturbating. If your not masturbating out of lust but just enjoying the feel of a warm shower and the relief of masturbating, biblically I see no reason to stop. Don't become obsessed with this. Overindulging in anything can become a sin. So be careful, stay in the Word of God, Talk to Jesus, and enjoy the relief God has equipped us with.

 

[KindGuardian]

Masturbation (self pleasuring is a sin for many reasons). First: it can hurt marrages later in life because it teaches selfish sex as an act to pleasure yourself but when you get married you have to catter sex to both of you and this can hurt the sexual part of your relationship if you are used to selfish sex. Secondly, I would ask you what you would be doing that leads for the need to touch. What do you do during the day that makes the sexual tension build up? Are you watching sexy television shows in cable or looking at softcore porn in magazines or looking at a girl in the hall in a way you shouldn't? The need for the release of sexual tension came from the sexual thoughts and such. So then, what sin is making your need for it? If you can slow down the stuff during the day; little things here and there that us as humans may do, the natural way of release God provided us (we-dreams) will suffice for us and not even occure as often. While you can technically have masturbation without fantasising and lust; I believe it's very rare and puts yourself too near that temptation to think about things we shouldn't, I believe we need to stay as far away as we can from even a possibility to sin. There can be two types of Christians: ones that ask how far can I go and it not be sin, and ones that ask how holy can I be and how far away can I get from sin. One last reason. The Bible talks about how God doesn't want us to be bound to anything of the flesh. While masturbation may not be that for you now, eventually your body gets addicted to that rush it recieves and chemical releast that your body is bound to that feeling. That is a sin to be bound by the flesh and if you look around in some other masturbations threads, you can see people who have been masturbating longer and it's escelates eventually into something that is wrong and they can't control. It gets worse and worse and eventually grows into a beast. My advice: get out now. If it's not a struggle for you, there are so many reasons why you shouldn't do to even think about doing it. For release of the build up of sperm God has already taken care of that for us through wet-dreams, even though it may not be too pleasant, theither is using the bathroom but we still have to do it kinda an odd note to end on. So yea: get out while you can, or else plan on fighting a battle out later.