Self Indulgence

[chrisslort]

Is masturbation a sin? Cause I'm really struggling with that now. I mean, I'm not really sure if I should do it or not? I don't know. Would someone let me know what they think or something, cause it's really hard right now. Thans.

 

[Liger14]

It's not a sin,but every one else who replies here is gonna say it is.

 

[Annoula]

i don't know if it's a sin or not.

as far as i understand, anything that is of the material nature can take us away from God.

on the other hand, we have a body that we have to understand how it works and functions. and sometimes it's much better to sin (the least sin possible) than to lose our minds.

whatever behaviour of the material nature is done very often and in a pathological way can cause problems on our body and our spirit. eg. binge eating.

try to control it and most importantly try to understand that masturbation is linked with sex which is a gift from God.

so sex in itself is not bad.

now, how we use God's gifts is another thing...

 

[Johnnz]

This is an issue that Christians disagree on. Thus, you will need to come to your own conclusions. Here are some general comments.

Masturbation is very common. You are not alone.
It often begins as we mature sexually - it has a God-given biological basis.
Often when first discovered people may touch more than once a day.
Some then accept it as a way for sexual release, and set some limits - 2-3 times a week for example.
Many people have no need to touch when married or when they have a sexual partner. Then, they may have sex less frequently than they masturbated!

Problems can be:
It can become obsessive for some people, beyond just normal sexual release.
It can become associated with porn or seeking a sexual partner just for sex
It can become a self gratifying habit that inhibits mutual sexual pleasure and love within marriage.
It can lead to self condemnation and guilt, especially amongst some Christians who see it as wrong and never to be indulged in.
Masturbation began following abuse, trauma, or deep personal unhappiness. Then it is not just a sexual thing and other counsel is needed.

People differ in their intensity of sex drive, (masturbation is seldom an issue for someone with very low sex drive), their ability to intergrate their sexuality healthily into their lives, and their attitudes towards masturbation and sex generally.

You will see all these issues on the masturbation threads in this forum.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss anything more personal or in more detail.

John
NZ

 

[NewCovenant]

I don't think that masturbation in itself is the sin; it is not addressed in Scripture as a sin. However, all the thoughts and activities that go along with masturbation are clearly addressed in Scripture. Here's an example. Most people do not touch in a vacuum. They touch because they are experiencing lust. The lust is the sin. Jesus considered lust a sin equal to adultery. Coveting another person's spouse is a sin. When we covet another person, we are breaking a commandment. Aren't we coveting when we lust? What exactly do people think about when masturbating, anyway? Panda bears? Knitting? Snowboarding? No, they think about other people in compromising positions. And this further incites lust. This is the crux of the masturbation matter. You can't touch with sinning.

 

[martin75]

I'm not sure I'd call it self-indulgence, I cant imagine anyone who does it thinks of themself. Seriously though that you are struggling shows you're hearts in the right place. That counts for a lot I feel, the world needs more people like that

Martin

 

[apologia25]

as always in a forum there are many different opinions. It is obvious that you've come here because of your conscience and not public opinion. Jesus said that anyone who wants to follow God must deny himself. There are many verses people will use in trying to make the sin of masturbation obvious. It is not specifically mentioned. But is it possible that something that can be so damaging to everything in your life, be good. Did God give you hands for that purpose? people in this world want to legitimize so many things. In masturbation basically your penis becomes an idol that you worship at daily. I struggles with the big M for my whole life and honestly in my life when I fall into that sin it consumes my mind until a certain time. The answer is why even go there? You have a enough things to think about right now and Masturbation should not be one of your focuses
Fight the good fight

 

[ascribe2thelord]

Is masturbation a sin? Cause I'm really struggling with that now. I mean, I'm not really sure if I should do it or not? I don't know. Would someone let me know what they think or something, cause it's really hard right now. Thans.

It's not a sin. Don't you think the Bible would expressly say it was forbidden, and that it would teach fathers to warn their sons against "self-pollution" (an old dictionary term)?

 

[appointed]

I like what Christian Dr. James Dobson has to say on the issue. See what he has to say at Focus on the Family online. He believes that masturbation is completely normal, and God understands this. However, he also provides warning. If masturbation is controlling you, leading you into pornography, or causing any harm to you mentally, socially, or spiritually it should be stopped. Just pray about it.

 

[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)

I was just asking my friend this same question the other day as I too struggle in this area and I came across this scripture today -that I have pasted above - for the daily meditation.

while masturbating my thoughts are not of what is pure and lovely and good. my thoughts are of other's that I have been with sexually and somehow this does not seem like it would be pleasing to the Lord.

I have also found that when I am participating in this behavior it makes it worse for me, it does not really satisfy my need for sex and therefore it causes me to actually want to have sex, so I am really trying to refrain from it all together.

I sure hope that this will help you out - it is something that needs to be covered in prayer most definetly.

Happy Holidays
Forgiven1

 

[Annoula]

while masturbating my thoughts are not of what is pure and lovely and good. my thoughts are of other's that I have been with sexually and somehow this does not seem like it would be pleasing to the Lord.

i agree to that.

but i would like to add that there are occasions that one can use masturbation in another better way.
understanding our body, how it functions and even our spirituality through masturbation is an aspect that is not very popular in christian circles.

i suppose that most of the people use masturbation as a means to comfort their lust, bodily needs or whatever else.
they do not use it in order to find the beauty they have in themselves.

hm..i guess it's quite a radical position for one to take...i hope my priest doesn't find out...
heheheheeeeee

 

[Johnnz]

Masturbation will never really satisfy, because it is a solitary activity, whereas sex is meant to be an intimate sharing.

But it can take the edge off your sex drive for a while, and that is not always a bad thing for some people.

John
NZ