Is Masturbation a Sin?
The question whether mastrubation is a sin is a topic that often sparks heated discussions. Sometimes as well many people try to tap dance around this issue never giving a definite yes or a no to whether it is a sin in the eyes of God or not. What’s the truth? Is it a sin to masturbate? Is any form of masturbation allowed for Christians?
Masturbation is when a person stimulates their own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, most of the time to the point of orgasm.
In today’s world, where open conversations about sexuality are becoming more common, the act itself is frequently normalized, and Christians are more confused than ever around this area. Just do a simple search for the word masturbation on Google. You’ll find that it is termed as a “natural and healthy part of human sexuality”. This raises questions? Does God allow it? One thing you have to remember as a christian is this; we do not learn from the world since the world stands in opposition to God, (James 4:4), (John 15:18-20) Our reference on all things sexuality does not come from the world. It comes from God’s written word of God. Anything that goes against the word of God is a sin! There are no two ways about it.
God’s intention for sex, is purely between a husband and a wife in marriage. Sex is an act of giving yourself to your wife or to your husband in intimacy, and the two become one (Genesis 2:24). That is the gift of sex in marriage. Anything outside of that is against God’s will. Masturbation is sex with self, it seeks sexual pleasure with self, and this goes against God’s purpose for sex.
Whereas many people in church argue that masturbation is not talked about in the Bible explicitly, we can clearly trace it back to sexual immorality, we are instructed that there should not even be a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s Holy people (Ephesians 5:3). Looking at key words here, “a hint of sexual immorality’ meaning not even a slight chance is allowed, for who? For “God’s Holy people’ Remember the life you have been called to live as a Christian, is a life of Holiness, “without which no one will see God”(Hebrews 12:14), a life of complete surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, a life of living in the Spirit and not gratifying the desires of the flesh, (See Galatians 5). This is our way of life in Christ. When you give your life to Christ the Bible says that you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19,20) that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you are bought by a price, your body, your thoughts, no longer belong to you, but to Christ. Everything we do with our bodies should honor God (1 Corinthians 6:20 ). Our sexuality belongs to God.
In 1 Corinthians 6:18 it is written ;
'Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body (1 Corinthians 6:18).
'This verse clearly says that sexual immorality harms the body. God takes your body very seriously. He makes it his dwelling place, his temple. Think about it. The Lord of Glory, comes down to live inside of you. How much reverence should you have for him in how you treat his temple? It is also written here that,
“The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body (1 cor 6:13b).”
When we read in '1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NKJV);
'Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NKJV)).
Here we are being warned against doing anything that would defile the temple of God, which is your body. Any form of sexual immorality including masturbation harms the body, harms God’s temple which He demands should be kept Holy. The idea that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit means that they are sacred and should be treated with respect and dignity.
Again, Masturbation always stems from lustful thoughts, pornography and objectifying a man or a woman sexually. If somebody is to do the act, they 100 percent of the time do it while having a picture in mind of another person, or even while watching an unclean pornographic video. This treats human beings made in the image and likeness of God as objects of one’s selfish gratification. Stripping them of their God-given dignity.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:27-28(NIV);
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right-hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell ( Matthew 5:27-28(NIV)).
Jesus says that looking at someone with lustful intent is next to committing adultery in one’s heart. This suggests that the thoughts and intentions behind our actions matter greatly. Lust is seen as a sin, and because masturbation is accompanied by lustful thoughts, it makes it a sin.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5;
'It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ' (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
This passage urges us to abstain from sexual immorality and to control our bodies in holiness and honor. Masturbation which involves lustful thoughts, conflicts with this instruction. Masturbation which is always an act of losing self-control against your sexual desires which also goes against the instructions to control our bodies in a way that is holy and honourable to God. Galatians 5:22-23, talks about the fruit of the Spirit. Among these fruits is self-control. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, by surrendering to his beautiful influence, self-control is a natural outcome. Self-control isn't just about resisting sin; it's about living a life where the Holy Spirit is in control of our impulses and desires.
Masturbation clearly does not honor God in any way or form and God detests it. Jesus makes it clear that sin begins in the heart and mind. If masturbation is accompanied by lustful thoughts, we must ask ourselves: are we not, in essence, engaging in a form of sexual immorality?
1 John 2:16 'For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
Pornography and masturbation are products of the “lust of the flesh” and the “lust of the eyes” which do not come from God. Masturbation is an issue of lust. You know lust distorts our understanding of love and intimacy. It reduces the beauty of sexual expression to just physical pleasure, detached from the emotional and spiritual connections that God intended for marriage. This leads us further away from the pure relationships God desires for us.
Now that we know Masturbation is sin, we also know that sin has consequences, both spiritually and emotionally. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
Engaging in behaviors that conflict with God’s teachings can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. This is particularly true for masturbation, guilt, lack of motivation, laziness, and more shame, as it often creates a cycle of addiction, leading people further away from God. The guilt and shame that comes with masturbation weigh heavily on a person.
If you’re struggling with the temptation to masturbate, I want you to know that you are not alone, and God has given us the grace to say no to all unrighteousness (Titus 2:11-14). Remember you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. No matter how much you have tried and failed try again, Jesus is going to set you free. Here are some steps to consider: Get into the word of God and make a habit of reading it often preferably everyday. This renews your mind, so that your thoughts and your ways will be in alignment with God’s word. Spend time habitually in prayer, asking God for strength and guidance. ( I Thessalonians 5:17) says, “pray without ceasing”. Seek to align your motivations and desires with God’s will. As Billy Graham said “ A prayerless Christian is a weak Christian” You are as strong as your prayer life. Meditate on the Word.
Psalms 1:1-2 'Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord , And in His law he meditates day and night.'
David says that;
I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you(Psalm 119:11)
Again in (Psalm 119:9) he says;
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word (Psalm 119:9).
The word of God is your shield of faith against all temptations. Identify situations or materials that trigger the urge to masturbate and establish boundaries to avoid them. Whether it’s certain websites, shows, or even conversations, be proactive in creating an environment conducive to purity.
Your only way out of this sin is Jesus. We cannot defeat sexual temptation in our own strength.
Psalms 73:26 'My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. '
Mark 10:27, Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.
With God all things are possible. God also promises to give us people a new heart, that is to mean new desires, longings, and thoughts and to;
“put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26–27)
1 John 1:9 reminds us that;
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Embrace this truth, knowing that God desires to restore you and heal any brokenness. When we draw near to God he draws near to us. Our confidence in Christ is that we can overcome. With God’s help! In Christ, we become a new creation.
“The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Now, he who is in us “is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
The one with “all authority in heaven and on earth” is forever with us.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
and with God working for us, we can now;
“hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,” certain that “he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24 ;
'May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. ' (1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24).
In conclusion Masturbation is a sin, the underlying principles of purity, lust, and self-control led us to conclude that it is. As believers, our goal should be to live in a way that honours God, aligning our actions with His teachings. By striving for purity and seeking God’s help, we can overcome the challenges of temptation and grow closer to Him.
