Where is that in scripture? Galatians 2 contrasts fruits of the flesh vs fruits of the spirit, and I've yet to find a mention of masturbation. By your logic any kind of sexual act, including marital sex, would be a "passion of the flesh". Are we to be celibate?
The term uncleanness is the work of the flesh that mankind calls today as masturbation, but sinners do not refer to uncleanness as the same thing.
I've been involved in sexual immorality. And I mean real sexual immorality. Masturbation is not even in the same proximity. Again, where in scripture is masturbation regarded as sexually immoral?
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness,...
Between fornication; sex with another, and lasciviousness which is sexual excessiveness, the act of masturbation cannot escape inbetween that if one really believes uncleanness is not the same thing?
According to...you? Where do you find this in the bible? Fornication is prohibited, adultery is prohibited, masturbation is...well...not. We are not to add our own rules to scripture.
Galatians 5:24And
they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Masturbation does not always have to deal with lust either. Affections can refer to the body "needs" as well.
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Note "neither" above how it adds to not obeying sin in the lust thereof as deferring to other ways sin can have dominion over the body without lust.
Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time,
who should walk after their own ungodly lusts...... 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
The use of the phrase hating the garment spotted by the flesh has to involve an emission for walking after their own ungodly lust.
The consequence for not looking to Jesus for help in bringing our body into submission is testified by Paul.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway.
So the loss of the reward of crowns is not the only consequence there is. Being left behind at the pre tribulational rapture to face the fire coming on the earth as well as the coming great tribulation ... is.
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sinful society may have changed the definition of uncleanness to mask masturbation today, but they cannot hide the act of masturbation as it is a similar act of uncleanness in the Bible.
Leviticus 15:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean. 3 And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.
2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the
uncleanness and
fornication and
lasciviousness which they have committed.
Seeing two sexual sins listed above, how can masturbation not be uncleanness?
Believers need to know that there is hope in Jesus Christ to deliver us from the bondage to sin and to death. Many do not see how they can avoid fornication or change "who they are" as a "homosexual", but that is why Jesus came into the world to save sinners from their sins.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.....8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
1 John 2:1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
So there is hope in the Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance from masturbation.
Arousals can occur in many instances when no thoughts are present at all. Sleeping on my stomach can cause them. I've had them after exercising. Women can get aroused from exercising. The mind is not the only trigger. I have no interest in sex with anyone.... I still have physical urges and drive.
