Masturbation

[FatefulFluke]

I know it is clear in the Bible that all sexual immorality is wrong and sinful. I also know that masturbation is an act that only promotes sexually immoral thought. But recently there has been a lot of research over masturbation, and it has many supposed health benefits for men and women who touch. I was wondering if these claims were true to be scientific fact. If they are, why would God refrain us from something that would be beneficial to our health? If they are not true, are these health professionals claiming a simple correlation rather than a hard fact? Are the health benefits of masturbation minimal?

 

[Johnnz]

In the past the catalogue of ills attributed to masturbation is huge. They were obviously so crazy and we laugh at them now. Issues with masturbation reflect unease with human sexuality more than anything else.

John
NZ

 

[Gale]

Masturbation in itself is not a sin. In the Bible, it is never referred to as a sin, and it does not necessarily go hand-in-hand with lust - it's certainly possible to touch without lusting after other people.

 

[Forealzchola]

but for most people it would be hard to not lust without masturbation...it is as if the two were hand in hand

 

[Johnnz]

That depends on what you see as lust. For too many Christians it can mean virtually anything even vaguely sexually arousing, thereby causing them to struggle against their natural human sexuality. That can become a tragic internal civil war.

John
NZ

 

[SuperSaint4GodDBZStyle]

I know it is clear in the Bible that all sexual immorality is wrong and sinful. I also know that masturbation is an act that only promotes sexually immoral thought. But recently there has been a lot of research over masturbation, and it has many supposed health benefits for men and women who touch. I was wondering if these claims were true to be scientific fact. If they are, why would God refrain us from something that would be beneficial to our health? If they are not true, are these health professionals claiming a simple correlation rather than a hard fact? Are the health benefits of masturbation minimal?

Yes I do understand what you're talking about. I have studied the benefits to masturbation and sex in general. I used to be a biology major and was very interested in Immunology. I have found out that 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] will make your brain secrete endorphins. This hormone will help stimulate your white blood cells. So it could help you get better when you get sick from an infection. Also it helps the male prostate in reducing the risks of cancer in the prostate. For women, it helps relieve menstrual cramps. It relives stress also.

Also, you could research it yourself. It would be best to go on webmd or better yet to look at real scientific research go to google scholar or any reliable research site to find out more information.

 

[Revived]

It's absolutely impossible for me to touch without lust...so...I don't.

 

[bliz]

I think the CHristian community has dumbed down the idea of lust so that any sexual feelings or any sexual arousal gets slammed with the "LUST!" lable, and that is very misleading and creates a great deal of guilt where there need not be any.

 

[praisehimalleluia]

Brother, "You are what your mind thinks. You are what your thoughts are". I recently attended a motivation seminar, and this was the caption. The motivator claims that we make up certain chemistry reaction within our bodies at the thought of something. Believe it? Yes, it does. If we think or focus on food, just when our tummy is empty, we shall be hungry, and the food we thought we should have, often at times, we have it. Almost always its what we're thinking of that is being evolved. This is human and God created us with such chemistry!

Its the mind that is being driven by Satan today to make mankind thing it is perfectly "NORMAL" and safe to do anything that is "lighter sin" such as masturbation. Perhaps by talking about it now, we can imagine there is no such thing as "lighter sin" and "heavier sin". A sin is a sin. Aren't we all bound to it unless we decide to break free?

I am in no position to judge you either. We are all weak in flesh. But we cannot afford to allow Satan to gain credit in devouring our minds. Satan can use technology to spread porn via MANKIND's brains and skills. So how much smarter is the ancient serpent to use mankind's Scientists to proclaim masturbation as good for health. They have created so much Rx medication that have side effects and yet we, consume them just because we believe in their "SCIENTIST" position.

I have seen many friends spend thousands of dollars for surgeries today. Not all doctors are genuine, as mostly are reaping money from the patients even for a small problem with health. Its the era where professionals are being used to trick us into believing stuff. Its psychology, brother. If we claim a normal somebody said such and such, we will take it ever so lightly. But if the same thing is said by a somebody as a scientist or in the professional area, we will make a big statement of it to consider it good and appropriate.

ITs up to your judgemental mind in deciding if there is guilt conscious when you touch or not. There will be some voice speaking to you when you really want to deeply ponder on something.

Think for yourself, Brother and ponder upon your thoughts.

 

[JM]

Two works to consider, http://www.christianforums.com/t7410522/

Richard Baxter offers excellent advice against lust, in all it's sneaky forms, in his massive work on practical theology titled, "The Christian Directory."

A few directions for dealing with lust:

Direct. IX. Look always on sin as one that is ready to die, and consider how all men judge of it at the last.—What do men in heaven say of it? And what do men in hell say of it? And what do men at death say of it? And what do converted souls, or awakened consciences, say of it? Is it then followed with delight and fearlessness as it is now? Is it then applauded? Will any of them speak well of it? Nay, all the world speaks evil of sin in the general now, even when they love and commit the several acts. Will you sin when you are dying?

Direct. X. Look always on sin and judgment together.—Remember that you must answer for it before God, and angels, and all the world; and you will the better know it.

Direct. XI. Look now but upon sickness, poverty, shame, despair, death, and rottenness in the grave, and it may a little help you to know what sin is. These are things within your sight or feeling; you need not faith to tell you of them. And by such effects you might have some little knowledge of the cause.

Direct. XII. Look but upon some eminent, holy persons upon earth, and upon the mad, profane, malignant world; and the difference may tell you in part what sin is.—Is there not an amiableness in a holy, blameless person, that lives in love to God and man, and in the joyful hopes of life eternal? Is not a beastly drunkard or whoremonger, and a raging swearer, and a malicious persecutor, a very deformed, loathsome creature? Is not the mad, confused, ignorant, ungodly state of the world a very pitiful sight? What then is the sin that all this consists in?

Though the principal part of the cure is in turning the will to the hatred of sin, and is done by this discovery of its malignity; yet I shall add a few more directions for the executive part, supposing that what is said already has had its effect.
​

http://www.puritansermons.com/baxter/baxter16.htm

 

[freeport]

I know it is clear in the Bible that all sexual immorality is wrong and sinful. I also know that masturbation is an act that only promotes sexually immoral thought. But recently there has been a lot of research over masturbation, and it has many supposed health benefits for men and women who touch. I was wondering if these claims were true to be scientific fact. If they are, why would God refrain us from something that would be beneficial to our health? If they are not true, are these health professionals claiming a simple correlation rather than a hard fact? Are the health benefits of masturbation minimal?

Masturbation per se is not spoken of in the Scripture.

"Scientific fact" is, however, something to approach with skepticism. Studies can be biased and incorrect. What to examine is one's conscience, and to reason out what is right and wrong for their own self.

Indulging in porn, for instance, contributes to the porn industry. That sort of fornication ruins people and encourages them into great sin. Then, there are sins of fornication and adultery. The point isn't some checklist, however, of "what is sin" and "what is not sin"... the point is that people get trapped by fleshly desires and should seek to avoid that.

For younger people that generally means marriage.

As for lust, lust is designed to have a place in marriage. We are to seek to be beyond such things. This should be reasonable to anyone, whatever they believe. Because if you consider that the flesh is full of appetites, you might also note that feeding fleshly appetites beyond what is normal only ultimately increases the size of that appetite. This leads people into a spiraling condition.


Reasoning that out, that does not help gain a mate - in fact, it does the reverse and causes people to have serious problems relating with potential spouses - and it does not help one be who they want to be... something more then a creature of mere fleshly lusts.

 

[gzt]

The health benefits are minimal, really, especially when compared to the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise (note: include heavy weight training, particularly full squats). Going the few years between sexual maturity and getting married without regular [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] is also certainly not going to kill you.

In short: it is intrinsically evil and the minor benefit it may give you is small and can be dwarfed by other lifestyle changes.

 

[bliz]

As for lust, lust is designed to have a place in marriage.

NO!!

This is exactly the dumbing down I was talking about. Lust is not sexual desire or passion. I do not want my husband lusting after me. Lust involves obsession, intense sexual appetiite, uncontrolled sexual desire and overmastering craving. A person who is lusting is out of control.

A vigorous and joyous sexual relationship within marriage is not about lust. It is about enjoying God's creation and each other.

 

[makeupgirl]

Basically I had the same question for a long time when I was participating until I always felt guilty after I was done. I myself felt convictions after mastubating. So I asked questions about it, prayed and one day I got my answer. I was told that mastubation is fornication because of the thoughts that causes you to get to the arousal state and you're not with your spouse in the process. After that, I repented and ask God to give me the strength not to do this again and to learn from this. I still struggle with this but also I think of a hymn or gospel song whenever the urge pops up or I'll start praying to let God know what I'm feeling and I also remember that the bible says that we are not our own, we've been brought with a price and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit so that stops a lot of my activites as well. Just go to the Lord, as for guidance as well forgiveness. He knows what's going on but wants us to admit and come correct with him. Good luck to you.

 

[CShephard53]

I know it is clear in the Bible that all sexual immorality is wrong and sinful. I also know that masturbation is an act that only promotes sexually immoral thought. But recently there has been a lot of research over masturbation, and it has many supposed health benefits for men and women who touch. I was wondering if these claims were true to be scientific fact. If they are, why would God refrain us from something that would be beneficial to our health? If they are not true, are these health professionals claiming a simple correlation rather than a hard fact? Are the health benefits of masturbation minimal?

That depends upon if you are young or old, though it is unclear whether or not masturbation is what causes prostate risks. See link. Masturbation is never mentioned in the Bible. Lust, the next closest thing, is more along the lines of coveting than sexual desire. If it were simple sexual desire, it would be wrong for husbands and wives to desire each other, and then we would not have babies without being sinful. Coveting requires fixation and the intent to do something about the desire, it is essentially desiring to take what is not yours to take. For example, if I saw that a friend had an Xbox, and I wanted an Xbox, that would not be sin. If I wanted HIS Xbox and intended to take it, that would be sin.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[andre30000]

Masturbation is a sin.But don't see it for just a sin.Try to see it for a self destructive act that's selfish by nature.
You can't just tell yourself to not do it when deep inside you have the need to do it.I used to have a problems with it and that way didn't work.

The only way,is to understand yourself and why you really want to do this.Where does this need to touch come from.You have to understand that has a man you don't really need it.It's not beneficial to your health.

From my own experience it makes you tired and it removes motivation from within you.
After trying to understand I've realized its a pretty self centered act that is unfulfillable.Sex is good with a woman that you love,I guess.
Other then that ,its pretty useless.

But you have to figure it out for yourself,me it is out of my own experience.

 

[SuperSaint4GodDBZStyle]

I look at things from a biblical and scientific view (including using the sociological perspective). I first look towards the scriptures to find the answer. I researched masturbation for 5 or more years and I find a lot of conflicting arguments. I talked to a preacher about it and he told me that I would have to make the decision on whether to believe that it's a sin or not for myself. He gave me a lot of supporting evidence which I had printed out about why doesn't believe it's sinful. I even had a book written by a Christian family psychologist who gave his own opinion about it.

I looked at the several scriptures in the Bible about relieving oneself and sexual body fluids like nocturnal emissions and menstration blood. These scriptures do not forbid masturbation. It's God's way of telling us that diseases can be caught by human body fluids.

The sin of Onan was originally Onan fulfilling his marital duties by impregnating his brother's wife. He just withdrew his genitals from his new wife 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][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] on the floor or ground. No masturbation was mentioned. This is in Genesis 38 I believe.

Therefore, I don't believe that masturbation by itself is not sinful towards God.

 

[SuperSaint4GodDBZStyle]

NO!!

This is exactly the dumbing down I was talking about. Lust is not sexual desire or passion. I do not want my husband lusting after me. Lust involves obsession, intense sexual appetiite, uncontrolled sexual desire and overmastering craving. A person who is lusting is out of control.

A vigorous and joyous sexual relationship within marriage is not about lust. It is about enjoying God's creation and each other.

This sounds very interesting. I always wandered if lust is only just a simple sexual thought or getting aroused from seeing something or someone that looks sexy.

I wonder if any Gnostic beliefs have seeped into Christianity.

 

[SuperSaint4GodDBZStyle]

Brother, "You are what your mind thinks. You are what your thoughts are". I recently attended a motivation seminar, and this was the caption. The motivator claims that we make up certain chemistry reaction within our bodies at the thought of something. Believe it? Yes, it does. If we think or focus on food, just when our tummy is empty, we shall be hungry, and the food we thought we should have, often at times, we have it. Almost always its what we're thinking of that is being evolved. This is human and God created us with such chemistry!

Its the mind that is being driven by Satan today to make mankind thing it is perfectly "NORMAL" and safe to do anything that is "lighter sin" such as masturbation. Perhaps by talking about it now, we can imagine there is no such thing as "lighter sin" and "heavier sin". A sin is a sin. Aren't we all bound to it unless we decide to break free?

I am in no position to judge you either. We are all weak in flesh. But we cannot afford to allow Satan to gain credit in devouring our minds. Satan can use technology to spread porn via MANKIND's brains and skills. So how much smarter is the ancient serpent to use mankind's Scientists to proclaim masturbation as good for health. They have created so much Rx medication that have side effects and yet we, consume them just because we believe in their "SCIENTIST" position.

I have seen many friends spend thousands of dollars for surgeries today. Not all doctors are genuine, as mostly are reaping money from the patients even for a small problem with health. Its the era where professionals are being used to trick us into believing stuff. Its psychology, brother. If we claim a normal somebody said such and such, we will take it ever so lightly. But if the same thing is said by a somebody as a scientist or in the professional area, we will make a big statement of it to consider it good and appropriate.

ITs up to your judgemental mind in deciding if there is guilt conscious when you touch or not. There will be some voice speaking to you when you really want to deeply ponder on something.

Think for yourself, Brother and ponder upon your thoughts.

Where did this guy get his information from? I wonder if he understands how the science field works. I've been a biology major for five years. If he's gonna say something about science or research in general he needs to back up what he's saying with some hard evidence and list his sources. I hoped you would have written down those sources for yourself. It's just like doing a Bible study. When a preacher tells you something from the Word of God you should go and look it up for yourself to see if he's telling the truth. I'm just trying to help you on this part. If this guy doesn't support what he says about science with hard facts I won't believe it.

 

[freeport]

NO!!

This is exactly the dumbing down I was talking about. Lust is not sexual desire or passion. I do not want my husband lusting after me. Lust involves obsession, intense sexual appetiite, uncontrolled sexual desire and overmastering craving. A person who is lusting is out of control.

A vigorous and joyous sexual relationship within marriage is not about lust. It is about enjoying God's creation and each other.

Just to be clear: that is not what I meant at all, and I am not at all someone caught up in lust.


That is someone else's meaning and semantics imposed on my words - they are not what I meant nor what I was saying - not at all.