Bible Study Masturbation is not a sin

[Isaiah90]

I've come to the conclusion that masturbation is not a sin. Several Scriptures have been misinterpreted to imply it's a sin. Here's reasons why they're taken out of context.

Gen. 38:9-10 "9 Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. 10 But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He took his life also."

Christians use this passage to say masturbation is a sin. They say Onan was killed for masturbating, but that's not what this passage is saying. It says he was killed for refusing to provide offspring to his brother's wife.

Matt. 5:28 says "28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman [gune] to lust [Epithumeo] for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

In Greek, Gune refers mostly to a married woman. We know this because addressed adultery in verse 27. Epithumeo is a Greek word meaning "to plan." It does not mean "to sexually fantasize."

Therefore, Jesus meant "if you plan to steal a married woman, you already committed adultery." It does not mean "if you have sex or sexual fantasies with a single woman, you committed adultery." It also doesn't mean "if you masturbate, you committed adultery" which would be ridiculous.

 

[Hopeful]

I've come to the conclusion that masturbation is not a sin. Several Scriptures have been misinterpreted to imply it's a sin. Here's reasons why they're taken out of context.

Gen. 38:9-10 "9 Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. 10 But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He took his life also."

Christians use this passage to say masturbation is a sin. They say Onan was killed for masturbating, but that's not what this passage is saying. It says he was killed for refusing to provide offspring to his brother's wife.

Matt. 5:28 says "28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman [gune] to lust [Epithumeo] for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

In Greek, Gune refers mostly to a married woman. We know this because addressed adultery in verse 27. Epithumeo is a Greek word meaning "to plan." It does not mean "to sexually fantasize."

Therefore, Jesus meant "if you plan to steal a married woman, you already committed adultery." It does not mean "if you have sex or sexual fantasies with a single woman, you committed adultery." It also doesn't mean "if you masturbate, you committed adultery" which would be ridiculous.

Satisfying a lust of the flesh shows one is not walking in the Spirit.
The cure for that is to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. (Gal 5:24)

 

[jasonc]

Satisfying a lust of the flesh shows one is not walking in the Spirit.
The cure for that is to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. (Gal 5:24)

not easy but this is. the way

 

[Truthfrees]

In Greek, Gune refers mostly to a married woman. We know this because addressed adultery in verse 27. Epithumeo is a Greek word meaning "to plan." It does not mean "to sexually fantasize."

Therefore, Jesus meant "if you plan to steal a married woman, you already committed adultery." It does not mean "if you have sex or sexual fantasies with a single woman, you committed adultery."

why do you say "plan to steal"? - it doesn't say "steal" -

having plans for a married woman is adultery - what kinds of "plans"? -

any kinds of "plans" - she belongs to another man - a man and his wife are the only 2 allowed to have "plans" for each other

 

[humble soul]

It's worth having a mass debate about this anyway.

 

[humble soul]

I've come to the conclusion that masturbation is not a sin

So have I. What is really sinister is pornography because it changes the brain. This is where Satan really thrives because it's deception, fraud and mind control.
When masturbation becomes an addiction, especially through pornography, then it becomes a problem. Users will rationalise their addictive behaviour " oh it's harmless really".

 

[Hopeful]

not easy but this is. the way

It is as easy as trusting God, and turning from all evil, and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; thereby killing the old man and being raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.. (Rom 6:4-6)
We serve who we submit to.

 

[jasonc]

It is as easy as trusting God, and turning from all evil, and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; thereby killing the old man and being raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.. (Rom 6:4-6)
We serve who we submit to.

if it was that easy,we would die sinless.

the life we are to take isn't an easy one ,they crucified Jesus .

you think they will,spare you?

I have heard some cast seen away while others struggle for years,never meant any person who is saved for decades not admit they dont have some sin issue . its called confession, and its good to do with a trusted person.also known as sanctification but yeah tell a 20 year old to turn off his hormones .in church ,yes in church cuz I saw it ,the ladies will play games with the boys .you have to be aware .singles ministries are problematic for sin .never mind the divorce problem of the church . how is that possibble if no choice to crucify is easily demonstrated on top of the bad habits taught .this I speak of my marriage ,it's been a thread mentioned by a former admin here

 

[Hopeful]

if it was that easy,we would die sinless.

Exactly!!!
Praise God for making that option available to men!!!

the life we are to take isn't an easy one ,they crucified Jesus .
you think they will,spare you?

I have heard some cast seen away while others struggle for years,never meant any person who is saved for decades not admit they dont have some sin issue . its called confession, and its good to do with a trusted person.also known as sanctification but yeah tell a 20 year old to turn off his hormones .in church ,yes in church cuz I saw it ,the ladies will play games with the boys .you have to be aware .singles ministries are problematic for sin .never mind the divorce problem of the church . how is that possibble if no choice to crucify is easily demonstrated on top of the bad habits taught .this I speak of my marriage ,it's been a thread mentioned by a former admin here

You seem quite familiar with the failures, but totally unfamiliar with the victorious.
That which you cite is not of God, but the alternative is of God.
"Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, NOT TO BE REPENTED OF." (2 Cor 7:10)
Make the "turn from" sin permanent, as that is possible with the Word, the Spirit, and the new mind converts receive at there rebirth.
"Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh". (Gal 5:16)

 

[for_his_glory]

Masturbation is a controversial topic, but the Bible does not directly address whether it is sin or not.

We can try to justify and rationalize many things to bring it to a place where we feel something is alright to do, just like putting our own twist on scripture like you did in the OP. Genesis 38:9, 10 is not about masturbation, but about Onan not fulfilling his duty to provide an heir for his brother. God condemned Onan, not for spilling his seed, but because he was rebellious towards God.

Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31, 32 are about the meaning and purpose of sex. Self gratification doesn't match the purpose, goal and basic nature of sex. Masturbation also for the most part involves indulging in sexual fantasy. Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-30 that fantasy does represent a serious breach of a person's mental and Spiritual purity.

Masturbation often starts out as self-soothing behavior to help relief pressures that cause stress and tension that can lead up to high blood pressure and possible heartattack. I would say it is not a sin unless it involves lustful thoughts then it becomes sinful.

There truly are no yes or no answers to this, but if you feel you are being convicted by the Holy Spirit then you need to take it to God in prayer.

 

[for_his_glory]

I'm just going to throw this out there as this is an important topic. This is a controversial subject with no absolutes of yes or no as being sin or not. Let's keep the flow of the discussions in a mature attitude of walking in unity of love as there is no room for tearing down another for their thoughts and views as everyone has their own. Let's remember to build each other up in hopes of a stronger relationship with Christ Jesus.

 

[for_his_glory]

Exactly!!!
Praise God for making that option available to men!!!

You seem quite familiar with the failures, but totally unfamiliar with the victorious.
That which you cite is not of God, but the alternative is of God.
"Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, NOT TO BE REPENTED OF." (2 Cor 7:10)
Make the "turn from" sin permanent, as that is possible with the Word, the Spirit, and the new mind converts receive at there rebirth.
"Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh". (Gal 5:16)

You left out the important part of 2 Cor 7:10. Here is the full of 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. The sorrow of the world are those who walk with the godly sort of this world as they have never learnt to walk in the Spirit as they are yet fleshly and lovers of self.

If you read vs. 9-11 we sorrow to repentance that when we do recognize sin in us, as none of us are without sin, then we repent of it as this brings us into a closer relationship with Christ instead of the godly sort that walk in the flesh. All of us has certain sins we are convicted of and need to be seeking the Lord's help.


1 John 1:7 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.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

If one who masturbates is convicted for the thoughts that run through their mind and goes to God to repent of those wicked thoughts then God is quick to forgive and they need to turn away from the lustful thoughts.

 

[Hospes]

Masturbation is the degradation of a beautiful act that was meant for a husband and wife. Fantasizing of making love to anyone other than a spouse is the degradation of another person who bears the image of God. I can see no way to rationalize how God could be pleased by us taking what He values and created as beautiful gifts and debasing them into cheesy activities/objects simply used for satisfaction of animal desire. In a culture saturated thoroughly with the debasement of marriage and sex, it is sad how Christians conform under the world's pressure rather than battling to please God. Of course, waging battle is a man's endeavor; sadly, we seem in short supply of them.

 

[humble soul]

Fantasizing of making love to anyone other than a spouse is th

So what you are saying is that masturbation is ok if the object of fantasy is your partner?

 

[humble soul]

I think we need to avoid an all or nothing approach . minimising is best. Stay busy. Get a real hobby. Don't ever let masturbation become a preoccupation.
Also we should avoid burdening young people with guilt. Guilt can make it worse.
Sins of a sexual nature get a lot of attention from Christians who choose to be judgemental.
Yet I suspect Jesus frowns most on people who act high and mighty on such topics. Puritanical thinking creates more problems than it solves.

 

[Hospes]

So what you are saying is that masturbation is ok if the object of fantasy is your partner?

One chink in my argument and you use it! You make a good point; all my reasons for thinking it is wrong applies also to fantasizing about a spouse.

 

[humble soul]

One chink in my argument and you use it! You make a good point; all my reasons for thinking it is wrong applies also to fantasizing about a spouse.

Also I think it depends on the nature of the fantasy. Violent fantasies of being with your partner are obviously sickening and shameful.

 

[Link1983]

For from within, [that is] out the heart of men, come base and malevolent thoughts and schemes, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries, acts of greed and covetousness, wickedness, deceit, unrestrained conduct, envy and jealousy, slander and profanity, arrogance and self-righteousness and foolishness (poor judgment). All these evil things [schemes and desires] come from within and defile and dishonor the man.” Mark 7:21‭-‬23 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.7.21-23.AMP


Read full context too understand even better.

 

[Hopeful]

You left out the important part of 2 Cor 7:10. Here is the full of 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. The sorrow of the world are those who walk with the godly sort of this world as they have never learnt to walk in the Spirit as they are yet fleshly and lovers of self.

If you read vs. 9-11 we sorrow to repentance that when we do recognize sin in us, as none of us are without sin, then we repent of it as this brings us into a closer relationship with Christ instead of the godly sort that walk in the flesh. All of us has certain sins we are convicted of and need to be seeking the Lord's help.


1 John 1:7 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.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

If one who masturbates is convicted for the thoughts that run through their mind and goes to God to repent of those wicked thoughts then God is quick to forgive and they need to turn away from the lustful thoughts.

This a bit of a derail, and you can answer privately if you wish, but why would you think "none of us are without sin"?
Some do walk in the light, and there is no sin in the light.

 

[humble soul]

Wouldn't we be able then, to apply your logic to heroin usage? Murder? Adultery? Abortion?
Don't bother the kids about it, Its just a phase...?

We've gone from masturbation to murder. Quite a leap don't you think?