Masturbation: a biblical point of view

I agree with the writer's thoughts on sex, but I don't feel that masturbation is sex, and therefore verses prohibiting fornication, adultery, and homosexual sex don't apply. Yes, Jesus said that whoever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart, but let's be careful not to pull that (or any verse) out of context. What is the context of that scenario? It is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is full of "you have heard it said" (the old, traditional teaching) and "but I say to you" (Jesus' interpretation of the Torah) statements. The problem is that many of the religious leaders of the time had "missed the mark" in correctly interpreting Torah. They had gone astray from God's intent in his Law. So, Jesus, the Son of God, was correcting their misinterpretations, to bring them back to what the Father was after in the first place.

In the case of adultery, there were Jewish men who would harshly condemn those who committed adultery (think of the adulterous woman situation in John 8), and thought that they were so righteous because they hadn't done so. But since God know's people's hearts, Jesus was pointing out that one should not think they are so superior and free from sin when they are committing the same acts in their mind. So, it's not that the hypocritical guys were indeed so righteous, because their hearts were full of adultery even if they refrained from committing the actual act. Is committing adultery in your heart "as bad as" doing the real thing? Of course not, the real thing involves so many other factors and likely consequences. Jesus wasn't saying that to say that they two sins are the same, but rather don't think you are so righteous and sanctified if you are wanting to to these things in your mind and fantasizing about them. You, too, have sin in your own heart.

So, in other words, Jesus point wasn't to focus on the idea that lusting after a woman who isn't your wife is wrong, because that should be obvious, but he was making a comparative statement about sins of the heart mattering to God just as sins committed in the flesh, and that one should be humble and repentant regardless of the type of sin committed, and not be so quick to act judgmentally towards others, sine we all struggle with sin.

But more to the point, as the post starts out to say, the Bible specifically never addresses masturbation. Which, however you look at it, is odd, bec it talks about almost everything else. But keep in mind that most men and women were married at a very young age, women around puberty, and men around 18-21 in Jewish culture; late 20s in gentile Greek culture then. So, among Jews at least, MB probably wasn't as big of an issue. And porn as we know it didn't exist then. There were pornographic images in non-Jewish settings, but mostly in pagan temples and prostitution areas, so not where religious Jewish men would be.

But the MB is evil bec it involves self-pleasuring argument doesn't work for me, bec there are plenty of things that we do, that are clearly gifts from God, that involve pleasing ourselves and not others. When we eat something tasty, or have a nice walk alone, or a great exercise session, or enjoy a sunset or movie or book by ourselves--are those things sinful? Why, all of a sudden, is it evil if it involves our genitals? If genital self-pleasure is evil or "missing the mark," then what about a wet dream, or just feeling horny? You can't control those things, the Bible never says they are wrong, and biologically we understand those things to be normal, products of how our bodies, created in God's image, are designed. So.... the argument breaks down at that point for me, and doesn't seem so "obvious" any more.

We also have to understand the Biblical word for "lust" -- epithumia (transliterated into English from Koine Greek, as used in the New Testament). Epithumia simply means "a strong desire" -- and is actually used positively a couple times in the New Testament. A strong desire is only wrong when it is for something wrong. For some people, masturbating occasionally is a way that they have learned to "possess their vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God." For them, they find themselves lusting in their heart all too often when they don't mb occasionally to deal with the sexual tension. One doesn't need to lust when he MBs, if it's really that intense of a need. We just do so by habit bec of how we have trained ourselves. I'm not saying a guy NEEDS to MB, and that is not our intent here, but who am I to judge another man's servant, especially in an area that the Bible is silent on. If I am saying that, well, I always fantasize about that girl at the checkout stand when I MB, so therefore I don't see how you can do it without doing that, then I am universalizing my experience (always a bad idea, and a rather arrogant not), and assuming I know waaay too much about that other guy's life.

What I do trust is that God is able to speak to His children, and that one of the things that the Holy Spirit does faithfully with us is convict us of our sins. If a brother or sister is sinning in some otherwise "gray" area, then God will let them know. If not, then I must assume that God's will for them in that area may be different than it is for me.

But that's just how I see it.

 

I've "missed the mark" with masturbation...like the first time you fail after such a long time from abstaining.

I mean what was I thinking using a piece of tissue paper...I needed a bucket for that tsunami. Now its everywhere!

Sigh...control, alt, delete...

 

It's clear that BullseyeChris knows the Bible well. Though both point of views are valid. Jewishguy, if considering M as a sin helps you to quit porn, then so be it. Do it.

As for my personal view, I strongly believe that Gods commands for us has a reason behind them. They are not just made because God is bored of of his mind and likes to see His creations struggle. I believe that some of God's commands were meant for the time when they were made. Other's are universal. How do you differentiate? Through logic and common sense. Is masturbation a sin? No, I don't think so. Does it help us? That's not so obvious anymore.
Also, I tend to look at "sins" more like "mistakes". In my opinion God loves us, and the commands he gave hold truths that make humans life simpler and easier and better of course. So when it comes to a question where the Bible doesn't give a straight answer, one should ask himself? Does this particular thing aids me to become a better and more respactable man? If it does, than by all means, continue it. But if it doesn't, it might be time to think about it more deeply. How does that particular thing affect me? Is it really THAT necessary? Could I do without it? What would be the benfits? And this approach does not conflict with the Bible, and in general, has nothing to do with religion. Common sense. You have it. Use it! Becuase it's very very easy to become a hypocrite yourself if you just judge everything quickly.

 

I do not believe in a God

 

I agree with your approach, EarthDragon (and thanks for the compliment!). You're right: some things the Bible makes clear are universally sins (e.g., the 10 Commandments). Other things are more situational, cultural, or individual. Romans 14:1-15:13 is probably the best New Testament passage on dealing with this type of issue. Some Christians in the church in Rome were debating over whether followers of Jesus (and they had both Jews and Gentiles in that church) had to keep the Jewish sabbath and other holy days, whether they needed to keep kosher rules about food, etc. The Apostle Paul brilliantly said that one should not judge another believer in these types of disputable issues. If a person is keeping the Sabbath or refraining from eating pork or drinking alcohol, or whatever it is, and does so to honor God, then all power to him. If another believer believes it's ok to eat any kind of food (ok in the religious sense), and gives God thanks for the food that he eats, then more power to him. Why? Because both Christians are doing things to please God and are thanking Him for them. Paul was convinced that God would convict them otherwise if they were doing something wrong. But as much as the Bible stresses unity among believers, Paul here clearly doesn't understand that unity to mean that we have to agree on every little issue or worship practice. God may very well be ok with person A doing it this way and person B doing it that way (same could be said with different types of worship music being sung/played in churches!), as long as they are doing it truly to worship Him.

So for things like masturbation, since the Bible doesn't offer us a cut-and-dry yes or no on the issue, I want to refrain from "making" it say that it is a sin, when it doesn't do so. But, the principle here in Romans suggests that God's will may be different for different people in this matter, as it it with other gray areas. I have and may share my opinions as to why I feel convicted this way or that on those types of issues, but at the end of the day, I will honor my brother or sister to stand before God on that issue and act accordingly, according to their conscience.

Paul does say there: "Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." So, one must make sure that their conviction is acted upon in faith.

"Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand."

And re: your thoughts, EarthDragon, on asking not just is __ a sin or not, but rather is it something wise or helpful to me--that I also agree with. Makes me think of 1 Cor. 6:12 ""I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but I will not be mastered by anything." Masturbation might be permissible, but it may not always be beneficial. A guy should ask himself, will I be better off MBing right now, will I be able to serve God better, get other things done, etc., even if it is not sinful for me to? Just like he should before he eats a meal. I CAN eat that super value meal form McDOnald's, but is that the best thing for me to eat right now? Once in a while it is fine. Mayb e a guy is so freakin' horny he can't think straight, praise God, do his homework, or talk to women w/out starting at their breasts. In that case, a quick MB w/out porn might allow him to focus better. But on another occasion to do so would only be him indulging his lusts and habits, a poor waste of time, make him feel lazy the rest of the day, or not fulfill some other responsibility that is taking priority then.

For a young Christian, black and white rules are great and can help one adjust to the new Christian lifestyle. Like the above quote says "Welcome those who are weak in the faith... the weak eat only vegetables" (because they were afraid that the meat might have been sacrificed to an idol). But eventually, God wants us to grow into maturity, and maturity means learning to navigate through the grey areas of life. The people of God were originally given the Torah, the Law, to help them navigate their walks with God. Everything was spelled out, black and white, for them. Then, in Christ, God's people were brought to a new level of faith, in which we "walk by the Spirit" and then we will truly not "fulfill the lusts of the flesh." Instead of black and white rules for everything, we are brought to the maturity (and deeper insight) of Colossians 2:21-23: "21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."

Blanket rules about things like food and alcohol and perhaps even masturbation can SOUND really wise and religious and holy, but Paul again warns here that they often "lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." Christ works on us primarily from the inside out, not the outside in. Let us learn to walk in the Spirit, and live by the Spirit, walking in wisdom and doing what's "profitable" and loving, and thus perfectly fulfill the law of Christ!

 

It goes way deeper than that and is even more specific in 1 Corinthians that we should not be mastered by anything! Because PMO is an addiction to many of us on this site, we are mastered by it; therefore, it is sin. Going even deeper, we are taught through the wisdom of God to not have idols; porn, worshipped by many, is an idol because it takes away our committed relationship with God. Our body is the home of the Holy Spirit and is a holy temple. Further, these bodies do not belong to is but to God and sin and mans carnal desires have led us astray. I PMO just this morning and I feel bad about it but God has given us the riches of his grace and forgiveness and I will continue to fight the good fight like we all should.

 

I totally agree with you, rlrecovery, but the point I was making wasn't about PMO, or porn specifically, it was about masturbation, in and of itself. Porn depicts people fornicating and/or committing acts of adultery, and the viewer, via his masturbation and thoughts, is taking part in that sin in his heart. I don't think a person could argue otherwise. I was talking specifically about the act of masturbation, which is, in and of itself, a gray area, where personal convictions and wisdom and the leading of the Holy Spirit must guide. I don't want to try to make Scripture say something it doesn't (like forbid all masturbation), based on my personal convictions. That, too, is a sin.

 

rlrecovery, BullseyeChris, you're both right. I just want to add thing, but Chris was so clear, I can't really argue with anything.

rlrecovery, you say that porn is being put on a pedestal, and are worshipped instead of God. First of, a lot of us is not religious, and it makes no sense for them. Also I really don't think that we would really "worship" PMO. However, you're right, just not for the reason you think. (IMHO) Consider this: God has a plan for you, however you're free to act otherwise. But should you choose that you actually co-operate with the will of God for you, you need to find what it is, and you need energy, and motivation to do as required. Since PMO robs you of your willpower, your lifeforce, your motivation, you won't have enough left to actually follow the will of God. This way, you will not be able to live your life the best you could, and that conflicts with the will of God. Because God wants us to live our lives the best we can. And PMO stands in the way.

 

I think we must all make our personal convictions about the topic of masturbation, but also must not fools ourselves and rationalize a way out. I'm speaking from my experience, that I allowed and rationalized that masturbation should remain in my life. Unfortunately, for me, it allowed my fantazy world to kick into overdrive, start acting out detestable things, and eventually led me back to the PMO cycle.

Bottom line, to a point posted above, if you know God is telling you that you shouldn't masturbate, don't look for an excuse to do it anyway. I hope that is coming out right so that there is an even greater depth of understanding of the views around this topic.

 

Great topic guys! In my life P was a idol. I definitely bowed down before my computer screen and PMO many more times than worshipped God. My routine would be PMO then immediately put on J Vernon McGee sermons to try and make myself feel better.

Now since I haven't PMO I feel a lot better and closer to God. I am starting to feel some withdrawals, and find it pretty hard waking up in the mornings because my flesh is like hey time to PMO like we always did. I just have to stay strong, pray, and read some scriptures or listen to some sermons.

Since this topic was on MO, I totally see it how Chris sees it. I think Paul summed everything up. He was that Apostle who God used to help the young in Faith transition to being Mature in Christ. How he handled these topics and how they are so timeless (if you use common sense obviously) is a true act of him being filled by the Holy Spirit.

If your convicted by MO then its probably wrong for you, if you aren't then its a non issue for you. If you have been born again then you have the Holy Spirit in you, and you will know conviction when it comes in to play.

Again great topic guys. Keep your eyes on Jesus/Yeshua!

 

BullsEye, I see this issue like you do. I mean should I stop eating because I am "pleasuring myself"? The thing I am against is pornography. Pornography = Evil.

 

I would say that the three things to remember when trying to overcome addiction to fapping and porn are self-control, self-control, and self-control. Yes, it's all about self-control. For Christians, self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.