Pleasure

[seekingsomething]

Could somebody give me some scripture about masturbation . I know that lusting is NOT a good thing....infact some might call it a sin (teehee) but if you can do it with out thinking about anyone specific, just out of a physical need, is that ok? I know that it says that if you sin with you right hand it should be chopped off but anything more specific. I dont want to be making excuses, i dont want to displease God in ANYWAY, but its just something im curious about.

Thank you in advance and god bless x x x

 

[DaveKerwin]

This is highly debated. One thing I know for sure, if you know in your heart that it is wrong, then it is most definitely a sin. The physical act itself I personally believe is a sin, regardless of the state your mind is in. Sexual desire is strong at times, but that desire is meant to be directed toward a spouse. So wait for your spouse and honor God with your body. That is my best advice. If you are looking for something more, go to the women's forum and read up on the subject there. If you do not find anything, do a forum search for it in the women's section.

If your concern is about pleasing God and not yourself, then I would recommend not getting involved in masturbation.

 

[mathias1979]

You may want to check out the forum "for women who struggle."

http://www.christianforums.com/f233

I wouldn't be surprised if a moderator moves this thread over there anyway...

But I was just thinking, even without lust...what does masturbation do? It reduces sexuality to meer animal desires and cravings, which is not what God created sexuality for.

-Matt

 

[Rage4Christ]

seeking, balance and harmony are the key. God gave us all sexuality. You must give yourself, even your sexual urges unconditional love and respect. You'll know when things get out of balance. Knowing yourself is the first step to having a healthy relationship with others. You can't know yourself without first exploring your own body without guilt or shame. Discover what is comfortable for you, and then accept that--- realize God is omnipotent and there is nothing that he could "want" from you.

 

[DaveKerwin]

that is horrible advice, ignore the last post.

go with what mathias said.

 

[LifeInYou]

realize God is omnipotent and there is nothing that he could "want" from you.

What was the point, then, of the Bible and a plan for Salvation? God needs nothing. God desires obedience from the children He created.

 

[Rage4Christ]

why would God give us Sexuality if it runs contraditory to God?

lifeinyou you asked: What was the point, then, of the Bible and a plan for Salvation? God needs nothing. God desires obedience from the children He created.

That is clearly a choice that Seeking must make. If she wants to live a life of fear and anxiety everytime she has a sexual impulse-- that is her choice.

I think Dave has it right, I'm merely offering advice-- I don't want to "tell her what to do."

The path to Christ is a choice that must be made everyday. For one to choose, one must be willing to think and reflect beyond mere obedience. The plan of salvation is not instructions on unreflective obedience, it is a struggle and a choice to find the Christwithin. That is found by empathy, love and unconditional acceptance of all things. In this case, even oneself.

 

[LifeInYou]

why would God give us Sexuality if it runs contraditory to God?.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't see anyone here assert that acting upon ones sexuality is contradictory to what God desires. I believe (if it wasn't made clear before) that the discrepency here is: In what context is acting upon ones sexuality appropriate? And in what context is it in appropriate?

lifeinyou you asked: What was the point, then, of the Bible and a plan for Salvation? God needs nothing. God desires obedience from the children He created.

That is clearly a choice that Seeking must make. If she wants to live a life of fear and anxiety everytime she has a sexual impulse-- that is her choice.

I never said that choosing to obey God is not a choice that Seeking must make. I was simply responding to your statement "God is omnipotent---there is nothing he could 'want' from you."

The path to Christ is a choice that must be made everyday. For one to choose, one must be willing to think and reflect beyond mere obedience. The plan of salvation is not instructions on unreflective obedience

Interesting, ideally, I would think that the 'thinking and reflecting' part would come *before* the decision to be in a covenant with Christ is made, and once in that Covenant, because He is our master/Lord, less 'thinking and reflecting' is going on, and more unconditional obedience is taking place. I'm not saying we don't use common sense or logic, just asserting that Christians are told to have 'childlike faith' and therefore shouldn't constantly be questioning why Christ has asked us to do something. (This proposition is ideal of course, we are all human)

it is a struggle and a choice to find the Christwithin

Christ is in us if we have chosen to be in Him. I do agree that it is a struggle every day to choose to behave and think in the manner that Christ does. But it will get easier as we mature in our faith.

That is found by empathy, love and unconditional acceptance of all things. In this case, even oneself.

Hmm...you'll have to elaborate on what you mean by 'unconditional acceptance of all things.' I was under the impression that, as a Christian, we are not to be merely sitting on the sidewalk of life, accepting that we are eternally sinners, but *choosing* everyday, by the power of Holy Spirit to go against 'what is'. In this case, even the (sinful) nature of oneself.

 

[Rage4Christ]

lifeinyou, you said Interesting, ideally, I would think that the 'thinking and reflecting' part would come *before* the decision to be in a covenant with Christ is made, and once in that Covenant, because He is our master/Lord, less 'thinking and reflecting' is going on, and more unconditional obedience is taking place. Everyday we change. In every expereince we have we become a different person. In the path of Christ there is no “before” and “after” there is only “right now.” I see no real distinction between obedience and a process of reflection and unconditional love for the self, for others and Christ.

If you’re ever in a state of opposition. As in this case, Seeking is seeing herself in opposition to her sexuality, you are less likely to have unconditional love. One could even say one is incapable to have unconditional love if one sees anything as “other.”

To give God human like traits: wants, desires etc. Is to sully what God is. God is unconditional love. The goal isn’t to be obedient to Christ.. It is to be Christ “like.” Therefore, the need for unconditional love of all things.

To be Christlike is not to give into characterizations of oppostition. Even characterizations of self.

Unconditional love and acceptance is a struggle. It is too easy to see things as “bad” and “good” and then try to follow a formula to heaven. Formulas are easy, but life is not a matter of Cook book salvation. Its hard work, reflection and love.

Seeking came here looking for a Recipe to Christ. It is all too easy to say what is and what isn’t bad—but therein lies the danger. The struggle is for her to work out. She must find the inner Christ within herself.

 

[DaveKerwin]

that is a bunch of psycho babbly new age junk.

Don't touch, thats what I say. I will no go into some lengthy feel good explanation (no pun intended). Look, just don't do it and there will be no question of conscience.

Lock thread.

 

[IslandBreeze]

I personally believe that masturbation is a personal conviction. Some may feel convicted of it, and some may not. If you are, then don't. If not, pray about it, and if you still feel okay about it, then IMO it's okay for you as an individual.

 

[seekingsomething]

Hey guys thank you all for your opinions. I have been praying about it alot and givin it a lot of thought and i just fully want to be going for God so that means NOT doing it. It takes me focus away and then i spend time thinking about the fact i SHOULDNT do it which stops me focusin on God. Therefore it is a bad thing and i have made a promise to God to try and stop it wit His help. Dave Kerwin - YOU ROCK (IMHO!!)