Is self pleasuring a sin?

[NeedsGrace]

What if someone is ADDICTED to masturbation?

1Co 6:12 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Regardless of how you feel of masturbation in and of itself, if it begins to drive your life, it's sin.

P.S - Most of the health benefits you put down is absolute baloney...sorry.

However, Here's a medically prooven one from the BBC's web site:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3072021.stm

 

[swordsman]

You didn't answer my question at all melvaugn but instead you're putting up all these so-called 'facts'...you ignored my simple question altogether, however NeedsGrace did answer my question, and I thank you. I was also going to post that verse up for melvaugn.

See, I'm a bit more hesitant when going to these studies by secular people...because these same people say the following:

"pornography reduces sexual violence towards women"
"people who have pre-marital sex, more likely to remain married"

and yes, there are other studies that say that masturbation is healthy for you, which by the way, I'm not buying into that.

Melvaugn....I do not touch at all anymore, and what you mentioned in your previous post, I don't know where you got all that from, but it certainly is untrue (most, not all)for a guy like me, and many other guys. I can't say for a girl because I'm not a girl. The only one which is relevant for the male would be this: "Reduces the number of unwanted wet dreams for young men"

most of the time for me, it comes out with the urine. The rest is pretty much untrue.

Let's go back to the bible...shall we? Something which J.Dobson never did when he talked about this subject.

fact: it doesn't specifically say in the bible that masturbation is a sin. Some pastors believe it is a sin, some pastors don't.

I believe that it is a sin because it is in the category of lust (1Peter 2:11). I believe it is as much of a sin as is overeating (gluttony), lying...etc. but hey, that's my opinion. If you believe it isn't a sin...so be it. I'm not going to bother convincing you otherwise

What is quite disappointing is that there are so many people who are SLAVES to masturbation, and who want to be FREE from it....and neither you or Dobson or some others choose to help them! They are clearly addicted to this habit, and NOTHING is being done by people like yourself who believe masturbation is not a sin. (This is irrelevant of whether you believe masturbation is a sin or not)

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

here's another version of that verse if you didn't understand it.

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything

Regardless of whether you believe masturbation is a sin or not....you ought to be trying to help out a person who is ADDICTED to the habit, and to help them become FREE from it, and not be a continued SLAVE of it.

 

[Marie D]

I agree. You can't take vague passages from the bible, that have many different interpretations and then feel all this guilt that is most likely man-made anyway. I think people are taking too much of a legalistic view to Christianity. God didn't intend for people to be binded down by rules. Rather than talk about 'what's right and what's wronge', christianity should center around developing a personal relationship with God, not obsessed with 'leading a good life'...I don't believe that's what christianity is about. Otherwise, I'd be a Jehova's witness.

As for Masturbation, people are viewing only the negative side..as in getting addicted to Porn, or objectifying women. But If masturbation is wronge, how come there are so many health benefits from masturbation?? For example:

Relieves menstual Cramps
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Helps for insomnia (i.e. when a person is having trouble falling asleep)
[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Stimulates the immune system to help build up resistance to common infections.
[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Releases mood elevating hormones[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Reduces embarrassing spontaneous erections for teen males
[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Reduces the number of unwanted wet dreams for young men[/font]
Helps you become a better lover from knowing what you like and
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]You won’t catch an STD from yourself
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Makes many people calmer in general -- and they tend to smile more [/font][/font]
Helps you fall asleep.
Promotes realease of the brain's opioid-like neurotransmitters (endorphines), which cause feelings of physical and mental wellbeing
Reduces stress
Enhances Self-esteem

These were all found from scientific studies and the release of an [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]. (I'm minoring in Psych)

I mean, is giving yourself a breast examination a sin? Of course not, and masturbation is no different. I think it's more harmful to supress all thoughts of sex and fantasy and walk around in guilt. This will lead to adverse effects- like porn) Sex should be celebrated. The reason why people think about sex is because God created it, therefore It's instintually apart of people's cognitive thought processes. The average Male thinks about sex every 3 mins.. and this is normal. God gave men an extremely high sex drive. I say, touch as a way of explorating your body. This way you won't enter a marraige repressed and thinking sex is bad. You wouldn't throw someone into a car and expect them to know how to drive without learning about the controls would you? Many women enter marriage with orgasmic problems and have to seek councilling, because they weren't able to relax and be comfortable with their body.
As long as you don't let masturbation control you/ or you view porn or objectify women in a degrading way, masturbation as becoming intune with your body, is healthy. (Otherwize, God wouldn't have given men such a high sex drive, and he wouldn't have given women a [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]- whose soul function is for pleasure)
I'm not trying to tempt people, I'm just trying to give a more positve healthy view since some of the other posts sound rather negative/depressing and kind of uninformed.

NO!

You could say the same things about premarital sex, prostitution or drugs. Just because an activity has some selfish short term benefits to one person, it doesn't make that thing morally right, especially in the eyes of the Lord.

Tonight I want to get off to sleep. There are two things I could do to make myself tired: write to a young child in the third world that I sponsor, sending her some verses from the Bible and praising her on her English, or I could abuse my body in a way that would increase my sexual drives and increase the chances of me committing further sins.

Your academic studies are saying the second option is OK, but my Bible tells me the first is the more Godly...

 

[ascribe2thelord]

Is this an argument for aranged marrage??

Kind of ... it might help some people knowing that they would marry and have children. Think of all the people in the world who suffer from loneliness and are afraid they'll be single for the rest of their lives. It causes them to lose half of their lifetime in doubt.

 

[Liger14]

By slave do you mean masturbating like once every couple days to get it over with,or once or twice everyday?

 

[wkforgiven1]

Phil 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. (NASB)

Good Evening - I just asked this very question to one of my friends the
other day, and the scripture above I think says it all. For me when I am
relieving myself if you will whether it be in the shower or in my bedroom
my thoughts are not pure and true and lovely they are of sexual acts
that I have performed while with other lovers in the past, and like yourself
I usually dont feel much better afterwards and sometimes it actually makes
it worse for me making me want to go and have sex instead so I too have
vowed to stop doing it all together for I am not benefiting from it and I myself believe that it is a sin.. I am going to go to the Lord to help me with this.

Happy Holidays
Forgiven1

 

[Komplex001]

You didn't answer my question at all melvaugn but instead you're putting up all these so-called 'facts'...you ignored my simple question altogether, however NeedsGrace did answer my question, and I thank you. I was also going to post that verse up for melvaugn.

See, I'm a bit more hesitant when going to these studies by secular people...because these same people say the following:

"pornography reduces sexual violence towards women"
"people who have pre-marital sex, more likely to remain married"

and yes, there are other studies that say that masturbation is healthy for you, which by the way, I'm not buying into that.

Melvaugn....I do not touch at all anymore, and what you mentioned in your previous post, I don't know where you got all that from, but it certainly is untrue (most, not all)for a guy like me, and many other guys. I can't say for a girl because I'm not a girl. The only one which is relevant for the male would be this: "Reduces the number of unwanted wet dreams for young men"

most of the time for me, it comes out with the urine. The rest is pretty much untrue.

Let's go back to the bible...shall we? Something which J.Dobson never did when he talked about this subject.

fact: it doesn't specifically say in the bible that masturbation is a sin. Some pastors believe it is a sin, some pastors don't.

I believe that it is a sin because it is in the category of lust (1Peter 2:11). I believe it is as much of a sin as is overeating (gluttony), lying...etc. but hey, that's my opinion. If you believe it isn't a sin...so be it. I'm not going to bother convincing you otherwise

What is quite disappointing is that there are so many people who are SLAVES to masturbation, and who want to be FREE from it....and neither you or Dobson or some others choose to help them! They are clearly addicted to this habit, and NOTHING is being done by people like yourself who believe masturbation is not a sin. (This is irrelevant of whether you believe masturbation is a sin or not)

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

here's another version of that verse if you didn't understand it.

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything

Regardless of whether you believe masturbation is a sin or not....you ought to be trying to help out a person who is ADDICTED to the habit, and to help them become FREE from it, and not be a continued SLAVE of it.

I'm just so glad I can easily resist it and not feel like a worthless slave.

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

The military actually advise men to do this whilst on long tours, due to long periods of time of abstinence - it can adversely affect the prostate.

Also there are certain disorders with the prostate that require 'release' frequently - so doctors prescribe masturbating to abstinent men/men who for some reason or another can not have sex with their wives/partners every single day.

Bit out there - but true. Masturbation has health benefits...

Sasch

 

[sebqian8382]

"Is masturbation a sin when your wife is sick/weak and you're still young and in need? Is it better than finding another temporary partner or is it just a stupid excuse because you just can't wait and you're too horny?"

Somebody once asked me.

 

[swordsman]

ok melvaughn...

I've abstained for about 300 days now....approaching one year. My mind and body is purified and innocent. My body feels like the time it was before I discovered masturbation. I'm no longer an addict of masturbation. The only setback is the nocturnal emissions...which has happened very rarely anyway. I got about 5, as far as I remember...that's once every 60 days, on average. (this is due to the abstinence training, and slowly, it'll get back to zero...unless I get married before then).

Otherwise, I'm happier than every, healthier, more relaxed....etc Yes, I still have my urges, but I control them.

Now, melvaughn....surely you can't tell me, personally, that I should revert back to the masturbation lifestyle because it's "healthier" and has other 'benefits'?

No doubt, I agree...that when someone is trying to abstain from it, they become stressed, and will go through various forms of withdrawal symptoms. I had a lot of withdrawal symptoms because my body was used to the 'masturbating lifestyle', and it wasn't pleasant at all. However, I've passed that stage and I've trained myself to abstain.

The 'masturbation lifestyle' is much more comfortable than the 'abstaining lifestyle', and dealing with urges ...etc...however what about for a person in my position? where I no longer touch, and I have no sexual issues? (yes, I do still have sexual urges). ie: I've gone PAST the withdrawal symptoms.

Not only that....there are spiritual issues you need to take into account also! masturbation can be addicting, and if you've told someone that masturbation is "healthy", they do it and they become addicted to it...you've become a great disservice to that person, and you'll even cause them to stumble further in the future!

1Cor 6:12: "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything"

I'm counselling people with this, and unfortunately, masturbation has lead a lot of people further into other sexual avenues such as cross-dressing, porn and homosexuality...because they want to intensify their [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]. You've seen the verses in the bible where we're supposed to abstain from fleshy lusts...(2Tim 2:22, 1Pet 2:11)

Also, there are some people who have been convicted to stop masturbating....whether they were addicted to it or not. If they'd ask you to help them and be accountable to them, I'd sincerely hope you'd make an effort to help and pray for them.

 

[ascribe2thelord]

While I don't think "self-pleasuring" would lead to any of those strange things ... it's lust that does that ... I can see how you've chosen to stop, and I respect that.

 

[melvaughn]

The guilt that one feels towards masturbation has been socially conditioned. Our bodies are hard-wired towards a high sex drive. Although some people are asexual meaning you get no pleasure, nor have any desire to have sex or touch. (It's actually not that uncommon)
But Masturbation is not a sin. God provided masturbation for man. Physically stimulating one's self to [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] in privacy is not a sin. God speaks of it in Leviticus 15:16. If you also read verse 18 the message is clear. God is speaking of two ways to have an [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]: alone or with a woman. He compares them on an equal with each other. There is no sin offering specified for either one.
God connected uncleanness (social quarantine) with both ways of having an [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]. This was not a punishment, but a way to encourage his people to do it at the right time of day. If it were done at the end of the day, followed with a bath, just before sunset, His people would gain the greatest benefit from the release of endorphins to promote better sleep and the uncleanness would be virtually null. By this timing method, God is allowing a person to have an [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] as much as once a day without suffering any significant uncleanness. It also discourages a person from neglecting his sexual feelings until he has a wet dream that would make him unclean and quarantined for the whole next day. Paul supports the principle of frequent sexual attentions in 1 Cor. 7:5.

There is a concern though, in the New Testament Jesus warns about what is going on in the imagination. He stated that lusting for a woman in one's mind is adultery. So, thankfully enjoy the great sensations that God created into your sexual organs for you to delight in and let those great feelings bring you up to [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] without imagining any forbidden relationships.

The idea is not to hurry things. Remember that God is the Creator of your sexual organs. He is the Great Physician. He can help you discover your body. That is why He turned on your hormones long before you are old enough to get married and have children. He would not have designed your body to start producing the hormones that create sexual desire so long before you should marry if He had intended sex to be for procreation only. He turned on your hormones early because He has provided a way for you to take care of them and intended for you to do so. In doing so, He also intends for you to discover how your body works and what will bring you the most pleasure. Your future wife should be doing the same thing, so when you are married, you can show each other the things that will bring you both the greatest delights. Proverbs 5:15-20 metaphorically tells us to satisfy our thirst for sex from our own fountain, not to do it with anyone else; then, when we marry, we may enjoy it to the fullest with our wife.

Remember, Satan can cause you to feel guilty. The Bible says he is the accuser of mankind. Wouldn't he want to make you feel guilty about masturbating so you would avoid it and have no escape from his temptations when your hormones built up? You bet! So, now you can send the Devil and his false guilt on his way with the assurance that God's Word has clearly provided for you to touch. This is what 1 Cor. 10:13 is speaking of, because without the provision of masturbation, man's hormones could drive him beyond his ability to resist the real temptation to commit sexual sin upon another person.

 

[onlooker]

Wow....there sure are alot of different views on this subject. From definate "Nos" to "Yeses" and everywhere in between.
I struggle with it all the time. Why do I struggle with it...instead of just doing it? Because the Holy Spirit is telling me it's wrong.
All I can say is this: Satan is loving what he's hearing on here!!!! Every time we justify masturbation by saying things like "It's just a release" or "sperm back up can be painful" or "How else would someone know if they should marry that person" or "It's perfectly natural" and so on, Satan is laughing his head off because he has convinced you that it's not a sin and to keep on doing it!!
Wet dreams are messy to say the least. But they are the only other way to release, other than while making love to your spouse that is not sinful.
Here's an idea for you: My grandmother always used to tell me if I was unsure weather or not something was sinful that I should do it if front of a picture of Jesus. I really don't mean to sound sick and twisted, but I know it's going to sound that way anyways...but how many of you honestly could touch while sitting if front of a picture of Jesus???
Like I said, my 2 cents.

 

[melvaughn]

[font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

The Action of masturbation is CLEARLY in the Bible and is CLEARLY NOT a sin at all. This would also include sexual lust and sexual fantasies that would naturally and normally go along with it. The word masturbation is not in the Bible but the action is CLEARLY stated in Lev 15:16-18 and CLEARLY NOT a sin.

Also anyone who comes up with another Bible verse out of context and they think it said that masturbation was/is a sin is a major contradiction to Lev 15:16. If masturbation, wet dream, and sex with a partner, which would also have included sexual lust and sexual fantasies, clearly are not a sin during the time period of the strict demanding age of law, then it is clearly not a sin under the age of grace, where we Christians are under grace and the law of love.

Acts 10:13 Then a voice said to Peter, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "No, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unholy or unclean." 15 But the voice said to him again, "God has made these things clean so don't call them 'unholy'!" 16 This happened three times

(Note: this was not only about food, but almost everything.)

Most all "unclean" issues were called clean in Act 10 and 11.



Leviticus 15:16-18 reads: If any man has an emission of sperm, then he shall wash all his body in water, and be unclean until evening. And any garment and any leather on which there is sperm, it shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening. Also, when a woman lies with a man, and [there is] an emission of sperm, they shall bathe in water, and be unclean until evening (NKJV).

This would clearly include masturbation, wet dreams, and sex with a partner. All three: masturbation, wet dream, and sex with a partner would have also includes sexual lust and sexual fantasies along with them. These also did not require any sin offering. This also clearly shows it is not a sin. There is no requirement of any sin offering of any kind.

This unclean is more along the lines that you got yourselves and clothes dirty and you had to go to the shower located out side of camp and clean up both yourselves and wash your clothes and wait for them to dry and return with every one else later in the early evening. Remember they had no bathrooms, laundry room, dryers, nor many pair of clothes.

This unclean is clearly not a sin. No sin offering of any kind is needed.

If anyone wants to say masturbation a sin, to be consistent, they also will have to call wet dreams, sex with a spouse and a women's period a sin also. A women on her period had to give a sin offering, but not a emission of sperm. But both were declared 100% clean in Act 10. Today a women on her period, masturbation, wet dreams, or sex with spouse does not have to ask forgiveness and feel any shame or guilt of any kind.

Also anyone who comes up with another Bible verse that they think it said that masturbation was a sin is a major contradiction to Lev 15:16. If masturbation, wet dream, and sex with a partner, which would also have included sexual lust and sexual fantasies, clearly are not a sin under the strict demanding age of law, then it is clearly not a sin under the age of grace, where we Christians are under the law of love.

Acts 10:13 Then a voice said to Peter, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "No, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unholy or unclean." 15 But the voice said to him again, "God has made these things clean so don't call them 'unholy'!" 16 This happened three times

(Note: this was not only about food, but almost everything.)

Most all "unclean" issues were called clean in Act 10 and 11.

These rules in Lev. Were for a special time with a special purpose. In Acts 10 God clearly calls these things all clean. Before Lev. they were clean also. Only during this special time were they unclean.

Also since, they have over 50 health benefits along with them,

I go a step farther and call masturbation, wet dream, and sex with a partner a wonderful gift from God for us all to enjoy. Other Christians call sex with a spouse a gift from God and I just expand on that. I also say that every detail of sexuality was designed by God and God said it was very good. (Gen 1:31)

Sexual lust and sexual fantasies are a very important parts of God's sexual plan, with out them God's sexual plan would not even work properly. If you removed sexual lust and sexual fantasies 100% then God's sexual plan would not even work. They are very important parts of God's plan.



Ge 1:31 - Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

*** 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

1Co 10:23 – All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.



Ro 13:9 - For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting – and any other commandment – are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself."



If an individual feels healthier or better about themselves not masturbating, because they either have no desire or other reasons, then good for them. If people want to touch, good for them also. No one way is better than the other. The guilt one feels is far more harmful then masturbating will EVER be. And it's a myth that only single people touch. Married couples touch just as frequently, and again there is nothing wrong with this. All the arguments about lust and Onan, seem like very 'weak' arguments.

Infants as old as, THREE days can get erections. (The human body is hard- wired this way...the guilt one feels develops from society,parents, religion as one ages and is completely man-made.





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[carb]

As a minister, I would never consider masturbation a sin, nor would I tell anybody else so. Many of these nonsensical rules--i.e. missionary position, no masturbation, don't spill sperm--are carried over from when people thought sexual control was the key to solving the world's problems. Then they thought that sperm was a necessary fluid for a man. Let's not revert back to that thinking please. We're smarter than that.

 

[melvaughn]

Here's accurate/scientific/medical information I picked up at the health centre at my University concerning masturbation.

Many medical professionals and sexual health authorities have reported that "solo sex" (Litten, 1993), "sex for one," "self loving" (Dodson, 1996), and "self pleasuring" (Rowan, 2000) can be beneficial to one's physical, emotional, and sexual health, and the health of one's relationships. They have demonstrated that arousal and [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] from masturbation may


. Reduces Stress

• release sexual tension (Francoeur, 1991, 393)
• provide sexual pleasuring and intimacy before partners are ready for vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse (Francoeur, 1991, 393; Phipps, 1977, 192)
• serve as a form of outercourse or safer sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy (Davidson & Moore, 1994; Francoeur, 1991, 393)
• provide a sexual outlet for people without partners, including the elderly (Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1986, 289; Phipps, 1977, 192)
• provide a sexual outlet for people who choose to abstain from sexual intercourse due to pregnancy, menstruation, or illness of a partner (Phipps, 1977, 192)
• provide individuals with the opportunity to learn how they like to be touched and stimulated (Phipps, 1977, 190; Zilbergeld, 1992, 129)
• alleviate premenstrual tension for many women (Brashear, 1974, 14; Davidson and Moore, 1994; Phipps, 1977, 190)
• induce sleep (Crooks & Bauer, 1983, 257)
• indirectly prevent disease and build up resistance to infections by increasing the flow of white blood cells and rejuvenating the circulation of hormones (Stein, 2000)
• strengthen muscle tone in the pelvic and anal areas, reducing the chances of involuntary urine leakage and uterine prolapse (Stein, 2000)
• increase blood flow in the genital region (LoPiccolo & Lobitz, 1972, 164)
• stimulate endorphin production, allowing better oxygen metabolism and more efficient cell functioning throughout the body (Stein, 2000)
• create a sense of well-being (Stein, 2000)
• promote higher self-esteem (Hurlbert and Whittaker, 1991)
• promote higher levels of marital and sexual satisfaction (Hurlbert and Whittaker, 1991)
• provide treatment for sexual dysfunction (Zilbergeld, 1992)

Masturbation as a Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction
Masturbation is often used as a therapeutic technique for overcoming sexual dysfunction (Christensen, 1995, 91; Mosher, 1979, 320). Women seeking therapy commonly complain of anorgasmia, or the inability to achieve [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] (Rowan, 2000, 184). Masturbation can assist anorgasmic or preorgasmic women in reaching [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] (LoPiccolo & Lobitz, 1972, 163). For some men, practicing masturbation techniques can increase ejaculatory control and prevent premature [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] (Zilbergeld, 1992, 459). For others, masturbation may serve as therapy for delayed [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] (Rowan, 2000, 185-186).

Guilt about Masturbation
Despite the health benefits of masturbation, people still feel guilty or shameful about it (Davidson and Moore, 1994). Approximately 50 percent of women and 50 percent of men who touch feel guilty about it (Laumann, et al., 1994). In fact, the majority of women and men who touch have mixed feelings about providing themselves with pleasure. Although masturbation is the safest sex of all, negative feelings that may be associated with it can threaten one's individual health and well-being (Masters, Johnson, and Kolodny, 1986).

Although most masturbation myths have been debunked, masturbation remains so stigmatized that people also worry about masturbating "too much." In general, there is no such thing as too much masturbation unless it is symptomatic of an obsessive/compulsive disorder. Symptoms of this disorder are repeatedly performing behaviors that are so time-consuming that they interfere with an individual's normal routine, occupational function, social life, and/or personal relationships (APA, 1994, 417-9).

Repetitive behaviors more commonly associated with obsessive/compulsive disorder than masturbation include hand washing, counting, checking to see if the stove or other appliance has been turned off, and excessive cleaning (APA, 1994). Such behaviors performed to prevent and/or reduce anxiety and stress, including masturbation, are not considered symptomatic of a disorder unless they interfere with a person's daily, personal, and/or professional life — if they hinder a person from fulfilling his/her commitments and responsibilities. (Crooks and Bauer, 1983, 258; Moglia and Knowles, 1997).

Masturbation as a Responsible, Healthy Choice
People who have positive feelings about their bodies, sex, and masturbation are more likely to be able to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and sexual abuse. One of the most important ways we learn about our sexuality is through masturbation. We all have a natural desire to learn about our bodies. We learn from our own experiences with our bodies and minds what it is we like, what it is we don't like, how and where we like to be touched, what turns us off, and what turns us on. Masturbation is the most common way we enjoy sex. It can enhance our physical, mental, and sexual health. By increasing our awareness of our sexual preferences, capabilities, and personal limits, masturbation may equip us to make better and more responsible sexual choices for ourselves (Moglia and Knowles, 1997).

 

[GQ Chris]

Has anyone here read "Money Sex and Power" by Richard Foster? Well in it he has his opinion on the subject of masturbation and I think he's on point.

 

[stacy25]

Hi fellow Christians, there is a question that has been bugging me for the longest time, but have not spoken to anyone (except my husband) about it because of its intimate nature: if masturbation is a sin, how is a woman ever to attain [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] (it is a known fact that most women cannot reach [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] during intercourse) then? I mean, sometimes I wonder, not at all intending to be blasphemous, why is it that men can achieve [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] during intercourse and most women cannot? I mean I understand the physiological explanation, but if masturbation is a sin, then it makes me (as a woman) feel that (do I dare say it?) that God *gulp* is not very fair about this. For the longest time, after I married I had difficulties reaching [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]. It wasn't until I talked to my doctor and she recommended masturbation that my orgasmic problems (and my sex life) has improved ten percent!!!

I have been wondering why God has made the mechanism of women having menstruations and men having wet dreams and yet call it "unclean" as in the book of Leviticus. I guess the "unclean" here refers to poor hygiene and not sin. Regarding masturbation, I know that lust is a form of adultery and thinking about the act before putting it into action may be a sin, but what about "fantasies"? Are fantasies sinful? And if it's just the action and mechanism alone, is masturbation still sinful? I believe some of you out there would think that God does not give boys penises to "play with themselves" but eventually make love with a women and masturbation is actually misusing the organ, then isn't sucking our thumb, bitting our fingernails sinful too? Men have sex drives and it is very very difficult to control it, and if the penis is only for sex alone (as well as urination) then why did God give us the ability to erect (babies as well) even if we are not having sex? Why doesn't he make it that only married men can have sex? Why does he give people sexual feelings before marriage?'

Sexual release is just as important as any kind of emotional release. Saying that you shouldn't touch is like saying that you shouldn't cry when you're upset or hurt, or that you should hold in anger and other emotions. I see no difference between sexual release and emotional release. Not releasing will only result in stress and health problems. And I know that I need no more stress in my life. I figure, if something helps a person relieve stress, clear their mind, and make them feel better (that doesn't hurt others, mind you), then more power to them.

Masturbation--can produce guilt. Masturbation is rarely helped by a direct determination to quit. This focuses attention on the issue, increases anxiety, and makes failure more incriminating. Masturbation can be reduced by prayer, a sincere willingness to let the Holy Spirit control, involvement in busy activities involving others, an avoidance of sexually arousing material (such as erotic pictures or novels), a practice of not dwelling on harmful sexual fantasies, and a recognition that sin (including lust) will be forgiven when it is confessed with sincerity and sorrow... When there is open communication on the subject of sex, including masturbation... it will... not become a major problem... It's high time we stop making such a 'big deal' out of masturbation and give it the well-deserved unimportance it merits.

 

[swordsman]

Leviticus 15

16 And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.
17 And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.
18 The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even






Also, you don't seem to know much about the functions of the male sex organ despite the 'facts' you post, I don't intend offence to you there, don't get me wrong. I'll enlighten you with one fact: masturbating before sleep doesn't guarantee prevention of nocturnal emissions when waking up the next morning...so if you're seeing it as some sort of 'custom' in those days, you are gravely mistaken.

Going back to the passage perhaps masturbation wasn't even an issue in those times before, and men didn't need to resort to it. Remember, there are men in this world who have never masturbated. It's hard to find such men in the Western world, but much easier to find in the East, and other parts of the world.

The guilt that one feels towards masturbation has been socially conditioned.

This 'guilt' you are referring to...perhaps it is also a conviction from the Holy Spirit for one to stop masturbating...

Our bodies are hard-wired towards a high sex drive. Although some people are asexual meaning you get no pleasure, nor have any desire to have sex or touch. (It's actually not that uncommon)

Some have a lower sex drive, and also masturbation is less common around the world than what people think.

But Masturbation is not a sin. God provided masturbation for man. Physically stimulating one's self to [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] in privacy is not a sin. God speaks of it in Leviticus 15:16. If you also read verse 18 the message is clear. God is speaking of two ways to have an [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]: alone or with a woman. He compares them on an equal with each other. There is no sin offering specified for either one.

Interesting passage to link to masturbation...and I think you've taken the passage way out of context melvaughn.

The passage could refer to men's discharges after sex, and/or nocturnal emissions, and most likely no reference to masturbation at all. Hey, I'll agree...it doesn't specifically say, and this is yet again another example in the bible where it is silent on masturbation. You can't point this to masturbation specifically just as much as I can't specifically point out a verse for you that masturbation is wrong.

Paul supports the principle of frequent sexual attentions in 1 Cor. 7:5.

This verse is specifically for marriage. ie: Sexual attention between man and woman ONLY.

There is a concern though, in the New Testament Jesus warns about what is going on in the imagination. He stated that lusting for a woman in one's mind is adultery. So, thankfully enjoy the great sensations that God created into your sexual organs for you to delight in and let those great feelings bring you up to [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] without imagining any forbidden relationships.

For some people it is hard. It's as if you're encouraging them to walk a tightrope with no safety net underneath. ie: you could cause them to sin.

The idea is not to hurry things. Remember that God is the Creator of your sexual organs. He is the Great Physician. He can help you discover your body. That is why He turned on your hormones long before you are old enough to get married and have children. He would not have designed your body to start producing the hormones that create sexual desire so long before you should marry if He had intended sex to be for procreation only. He turned on your hormones early because He has provided a way for you to take care of them and intended for you to do so. In doing so, He also intends for you to discover how your body works and what will bring you the most pleasure. Your future wife should be doing the same thing, so when you are married, you can show each other the things that will bring you both the greatest delights. Proverbs 5:15-20 metaphorically tells us to satisfy our thirst for sex from our own fountain, not to do it with anyone else; then, when we marry, we may enjoy it to the fullest with our wife. .

This brings up another very interesting concept, and I'll write more on this interesting passage on my very next post.

Remember, Satan can cause you to feel guilty. The Bible says he is the accuser of mankind. Wouldn't he want to make you feel guilty about masturbating so you would avoid it and have no escape from his temptations when your hormones built up? You bet! .

Like I said before, The Holy Spirit could convict you to stop, because He understands the addictiveness and the slavery it can bring on a person's life. Take note: God also doesn't want us being controlled by our own bodies...

1Cor 6:12: "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything"

So, now you can send the Devil and his false guilt on his way with the assurance that God's Word has clearly provided for you to touch. This is what 1 Cor. 10:13 is speaking of, because without the provision of masturbation, man's hormones could drive him beyond his ability to resist the real temptation to commit sexual sin upon another person.

Let's have a look at this verse shall we? This is part of my post from my accountability thread.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man..."

ie: The temptation/s that you face right now. Someone else in the past, present and future has/will experience/d these temptation/s also. These temptations may have an incline to homosexual tendencies, cross dressing, incest or other things...So do NOT feel alienated or alone in this battle.

"...but God is faithful..."

Amen! He IS faithful! You do YOUR hard toil, and God will take care of the rest....but you must do YOUR hard work! Don't be complacent! Remember, God is faithful!

"....who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.."

Every temptation that you will face from now on...will NOT be more than you can handle. You will have EVERY resource ready and available to overcome the temptations that you have right now. Every piece of spiritual armoury and weapon is at your disposal right now!...AND, God is overlooking your every single move, and He's on standby for you if you need any help and/or refuge.

"...but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it..."

God is YOUR REFUGE!...HE is your escape route! The exit sign! The getaway car!

God has done 2 things for you:
- Makes the temptation bearable for you
- Provides an avenue of escape for you


In conclusion Melvaugn....you believe that masturbation is ok. I believe it is a sin. One thing that we SHOULD agree on is that we shouldn't feed our selfish flesh....and that goes with ANYTHING....drugs, food (gluttony), porn...etc, and it's not right to be a slave to masturbation.

 

[swordsman]

While I don't think "self-pleasuring" would lead to any of those strange things ... it's lust that does that ... I can see how you've chosen to stop, and I respect that.

masturbation is a fleshy lust. Some people unfortunately get addicted to feed their flesh, and they try various ways to make themselves 'feel good', so my original statement still stands.