Is Masturbation A Sin?

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» left by Creative Blogger ^(5,776)
Creative Blogger (94 days 23 hours ago.)

Good article, I don't even think masturbation is about 'teeenagers developing their sexuality' either though, as any parent knows, as soon as that little mite can reach their nether regions, they are! Nappies tend to prevent too much activity as then do restrictive clothing such as jump suits, dungaree's , all in ones etc. But when they can, they generally do but are generally discouraged in front of others at least!

In which case, I think masturabtion begins as a form of stress relief and pleasure and later with knowledge and parental caution it takes on sexual connotations.
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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (94 days 17 hours ago.)
Thanks, Creative Blogger.  I do have to agree with you.  I've seen too many children that are forever stretching their hands down south to take care of business. Kinda makes parents hypocrites to some extent doesn't it? I appreciate your comments.

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» left by Avis Ward ^(8,236)
Avis Ward (92 days 4 hours ago.)

Mark, I am not, of course, a teenager. In that regard, I am thankful to have the physical and spiritual maturity to abstain from all sex acts. I agree with your findings on masturbation in the Bible. The word is not there. For me, masturbation is a sin because of Romans 8:1. (There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirt.) That's my recollection. Being able to have control over something the enemy would love to use against me has helped in my Spiritual growth. In a more natural sense, I would feel embarrassed to think God was with me as I performed on myself. In my attempt to die to the flesh, I abstain from all sexual acts. I don't pass judgment about it. What condemns me may not condemn another. For me, it's a sin. I don't want to give the impression I'm holier than thou. On the contrary! Our relationship with God is personal and I obey His guidance of me. Do you see why I consider it sinful for me based on that scripture reference? I'm interested to hear your reply.
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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (92 days 4 hours ago.)

Hi Avis, I absolutely understand your position on this subject. And I respect your faithfulness. For some eating meat that is sacrificed to idols is also a sin. However, some were able to eat such meat because it did not offend their conscience. When it comes to abstaining from all sexual sin, I suppose many people would have to pluck out their eyes. In fact, I believe most people would be running around without their eyes.

 

There are many teenagers that have a terrible hangup about their sexuality. Some of these children become suicidal over the guilt and shame of touching themselves. I believer, however, that self exploration and gratification (within reason) is a perfectly normal and acceptable part of maturing. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Cor. 13 that, "When I was a child, I thought and acted like a child, but now I have put away such childish things." (My paraphrase)

OK... so to get to the point, self gratification is a matter of spiritual maturity. The Apostle Paul taught us that, "Whatsoever thing a man doeth doubting, is a sin." So, to this extent, I believe it falls into the "each man must work out his own salvation" category.

 

When my daughter was still under five she discovered her private area. She would spend quite a bit of time down there. Oh, blessed little child.

 

Let us forgive the children, for they know not what they do.

 

Blessings to you, Avis. Thank you for your insightful comments.

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» left by Avis Ward ^(8,236)
Avis Ward (92 days 4 hours ago.)

Mark, again, your scripture references were right on the mark, no pun intended. You made me chuckle a few times in your response. Visual of people with eyes plucked out and your daughter when she was five. I did that as well. My oldest sister has reminded me over the course of my life about it. 

I am thankful you have spiritual guidance and a calling to minister to teenagers about this especially. Thank you for your understanding. I may have this one thing right and another wrong. But for the Grace of God and His tender mercies, yes? 

Blessings to you. Thank you.

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (92 days 1 hour ago.)
Thank you again, Avis. I can't take credit. But I do serve a God that is filled with love and mercy. Blessings to you always.

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» left by Rev M Bresciani ^(1,834)
Rev M Bresciani (91 days 9 hours ago.)

I am shaken to see this article after reading the wonderful piece about the California wildfires.

Because Jesus said that To look at a women in a lustful way is an act of adultery (Mark 5:28) I am sure that the images a young man or women use or conger to aid their masturbation are no different than scanning porn online or in some magazine. Sin? No doubt it is.

Christ I'm sure does not want our heads to be filled with lust.

Rev Michael Bresciani

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (91 days 9 hours ago.)

Hi Michael, Yes, it is true that Jesus said that to look at a woman with lust was the same thing as commiting adultery. But, we must remember to whom he was speaking. He was talking to the self-righteous Pharisees whom thought that they were better than others. These Pharisees had a reputation for making accuasations against people for the least infraction against the law. Yet, these same Pharisees would marry young women and then divorce them at the drop of a hat for any impurity or taint. This would include any blemishes, moles or other problems. Then they would go and find another young bride and repeat the cycle all over again. They used the law to justify their own lewd behavior. To help the Pharisees understand that the law pertained to matters of the heart Jesus said, "To look upon a woman with lust was to commit adultery. I believe that this establishes very clearly that ALL have sinned. But, Jesus also said that it would be better to pluck out one's eyes than to go to hell for adultery. We want to enforce the prohibition, but we don't want to enforce the punishment? What is up with that?

 

I appreciate your comments, Michael. I do believe, however, that the Scriptures are silent upon the subject of masturbation, and therefore we cannot expect others to comply to a law that was not established. Do we want to encourage people to masturbate? Absolutely not. But, do we want to condemn them for this behavior? How can we? For we are not to judge. Only God judges.

 

When it comes to teenagers, I assert again, "Forgive them, for they no not what they do."

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» left by Douglas Richards from Lakeland, Florida (90 days 1 hour ago.)

Brother Michael,

I myself have been confronted with this same topic. I have told married men that should they feel the need for sexual relief at a time of spousal neglect, serperation or inability, then they should envision only their wife to prevent the sin of adultry in their heart. As for unmarrieds, I warn them to consider only the physical feeling that they may not fornicate or adulterate in their heart. I believe that Christ came to deliver us out of bondage, even the bondege of this topic. Who are we to place them back into the bondage of sexual deprivation?

Pastor Douglas Richards

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (90 days ago.)

Pastor Richards, Very well said. I find this to be good Christian advice. Thank you for your comments.

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» left by Anonymous male from London (88 days 21 hours ago.)

I started writing this message to clarify a particular point, but have since re-wrote it as it became something of a confession and a plea for help. So I apologise that I have leapt into a theological debate with a personal request. Perhaps it could add something to the exchange nonetheless, but I wanted to take this opportunity to address a matter which I have been wrestling with for some time, but have been too embarrassed to disclose to my local vicar.

 

Pastor Richards, the particular point I wanted to clarify was this: it is my understanding that adultery is sin which by definition can only be committed by someone who is married. In that sense therefore, Mark 5:28 wouldn’t, in my mind, apply to those who are unmarried. But on the other hand, it may apply in potential rather than actuality: if one who is unmarried and is habituated in behaviours which would constitute adultery when in marriage, they show God that they have not yet mastered those disciplines which are important when they do marry.

 

 The confession. Sometimes I wonder whether God is preventing me from finding (the right) spouse until I have learnt to break those habits. I attract women, but not those who I would be able to commit my life to (as these women are either live abroad, are already in relationships or are not sufficiently attractive to me), so I find that I’m never in a position to marry... though that is my heartfelt wish. Sometimes I feel angry towards God that he hasn’t given me what I seek. But then I look at my own conduct and wonder whether he is trying to teach me something.

 

This is an area where I struggle. Once when I abstained totally for a period of (only) two weeks, I felt I received a sign that I would attract the kind of spouse who I am seeking if I tried harder. Unfortunately, that period was followed by a lapse rather than a sustained effort. I always feel caught in a never-ending cycle. One instance of unaided masturbation leads to another, which leads to pornography: soft porn at first and then finally hard porn. At time point I become disgusted with myself, repent and attempt abstinence again yet fail to overcome sin for very long. Abstinence appears possible only when I am strongly connected to the Spirit, but when I feel the guilt and shame of my sin, I no longer feel that connection and soon give in to flesh. I ask for God’s help on this (though maybe not often enough), but still fail to overcome.

 

Pastor Richards and Mark… and even Brother Michael (though please be sensitive to my sinning selfl!), I would welcome your advice and counsel on this matter, which troubles me.

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (88 days 17 hours ago.)

Hello Anonymous in London, the struggle which you are describing fits perfectly with the behavior of addiction. I would encourage you to find a Christian sex addiction recovery group in your area that you may attend. Celebrate Recovery is an excellent program and is international, at over 10,000 churches worldwide.

 

In the meantime, realize that your self-gratification may very well prevent you from entering into a meaningful relationship. In a sense, you have already found "someone" and that someone is you. Before I can give you further advice I am very curious about the relationship you have had with your mother. If this matter is too sensitive to discuss in a public forum such as this then perhaps we should bring this to a private e-mail level.

 

Blessings to you my friend.

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» left by Anonymous (88 days 13 hours ago.)

Thank you Mark, for your interest, your offer of help and your recommendation. I don't think I could bring myself to attend such a group as Celebrate Recovery, as it would be far too painful (shameful) for me to confront the issue in the company of others, particularly in the company of those who might see me again (and especially at my local church). I will, however, try to find a book which deals with the issue of sexual addiction as you are right in pointing out that this is what it is. I would also very much like to take up your invitation to exchange emails on the subject. Please let me know how we should go about exchanging our email addresses in a private manner.

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (88 days 12 hours ago.)

Dear London, I will update my SearchWarp feature for e-mail. Please send an e-mail to that address. God bless you.

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (88 days 12 hours ago.)

Hi, London! I tried to update my account to receive e-mails. But, for some reason I am having aproblem. Please send an e-mail to the address listed on my Bio.

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» left by Douglas Richards from Lakeland, Florida (87 days 13 hours ago.)

Dear Anonymous,

An unmarried person commits adultery when with a married person. That is how an unmarried person commits adultery.

Now concerning your need, you apparently do feel a conviction of shame for your actions. However, is the shame from God or from Satan? Don't think for a second that all feelings of conviction are from God. The devil is quick to lie to you and tell you that you are not worthy of God's grace. God said His people are destroyed because of the lack of knowledge. Satan will remind you of your past and present in an attempt to cause you to give up on God and if you don't have the knowledge to know how you are saved you also could become destroyed. I assure you that God will not give up on you. Please do not give up on Him.
You have to believe and understand the fundamentals of your salvation to overcome this thing. Your salvation did not come through your works, rather the works of Jesus Christ. If mankind could have been saved through their own works then the sacrifice of God the Son would not have been needed but apparently it was needed.  We are saved through faith but works will coexist with faith. Our works are the byproduct of our faith. Stop worrying so much about what you should not be doing and focus more on what you should be doing. The great commission of Christ was not to sit home and wait on self sanctification rather to GO OUT!!! for the sake of others.

Brother Michael made a good point about childish things in the comment above. I offer you another similar point. 

Heb 5:12-13  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

My question to you my friend is "Are you too young spiritually and in the knowledge of God to be considered an elder Christian?" If so, then....

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

My brother you seem to be looking forward to becoming unbound by getting married. I assure you that most marrieds still have occasions of masturbation. Think about this, your future wife has a child for you. She is unclean for 6 weeks and you have no sex because of it! Formally your comment above said that 2 weeks was a great stretch for you. You see, becoming married will not totally satisfy your physical need. We all face this including myself.

So what did it take for you to become saved to begin with? Romans 10:9-10 says that it was the faith within you and the confession in your mouth. If your faith and hope is still in Christ Jesus and your confession has not changed, then your salvation remains.

As for being led by the spirit...Your stomach leads you to the refrigerator every day but it's not a sin to feed yourself. God gave you a built in natural desire for food. He did the same thing concerning your sex drive. You cannot let your stomach lead your life but you can relieve it without sin. You cannot let your loin lead your life but you can relieve it without sin as well. Don't let Satan place you back into capitivity when Christ came to set the captive free. The day will come when this will all be elementry to you and easily overcome but in the meantime meditate on the proper things.

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» left by Anonymous male from London (86 days 20 hours ago.)

Thank you, Pastor Richards. I found your words contained much sound advice. The idea that Satan is making me feel unworthy is something important to remember. Also is the fact that I have a physical need requiring me to satisfy my sexual cravings and that not all instances of masturbation are habitual. Though I feel there has to be more effort on my part to overcome the habit.. and am struggling to find the source of that strength. Yes, it must be found in God. But when I ask for that strength and do not receive it, I don't lose my faith (as that is where ultimate hope lies) but I become disheartened nonetheless. There is no chance of me losing the bedrock of my faith. I fully understand that asking doesn't necessarily mean you shall receive (please don't assume that I am a spiritual baby in all matters.. though you are right, I am by no means an elder either!)  What I am seeking is a release from this earthly captivity... even if my spiritual salvation is intact. The question is... how can I break through the psychological habit of dependence on this, even if it is physiologically sometimes necessary to relieve oneself as even marrieds also do? What I have is not the hope that marriage will be the answer to everything, but the fear that I will fail at a marriage because I will still be bound by this habit. That is why I am taking the noble precaution of not involving someone else in my plight by getting married to them until I have broken the back of this. I shall be exchanging ideas with Mark via private email, but I welcome your the wisdom of your advice.

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» left by Anonymous (89 days 18 hours ago.)

It does more than amaze me when I see what pastors are feeding their flocks today. It confirms to me that the promised apostasy is underway and the falling away from Holy Spirit santification has begun. The entire secular message is in one form or another telling people to indulge and not to deny themselves anything. When pastors join in this message we are indeed sliding down.

The question used to be how can I get closer to God, now it is how far can I go from him without losing my salvation. The best of two worlds is not possible in the real faith.

To wit: Be ye holy even as I am holy 1Pet 1:16,

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the table of devils. 1Cor 10:21

I don't go to both tables to eat and I would not dare to send those who depend on me to help them in their walk with God to both tables.

Rev Michael Bresciani



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» left by Anonymous (88 days 13 hours ago.)

Dear Rev Michael,

 

Let he who has not sinned, throw the first stone. Are you saying that you never even have a sinful thought? Being a rev. of your stature would scare me away from a relationship with God because I would never think I was good enough to be with the Lord. Thank God that we have all fallen short of His glory and He paid the price and loves us unconditionally. 

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» left by Douglas Richards from Lakeland, Florida (87 days 13 hours ago.)

I got this one Anonymous,

 

Reverend, I simply will respond to that with the word of the ONLY ONE who is reverent.... 

1John 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 

Pastor Richards

 

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» left by Anonymous (87 days 2 hours ago.)

Thank you Pastor Richards! AMEN

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» left by fellow "beater" from Credance ville (67 days 6 hours ago.)

 

   I can only say, that masturbation has been one of the best tools for bringing (some) sanity back into my life. After committing the "act" I find that I can redirect my thoughts away from women and onto better things. I have tried many different things to get rid of the "lust", prayer, exercise, work and nothing absolutely nothing

has worked as well.

 

As to the issue of this being "appropriate" behavior, I suspect that depends on where you are in your walk with the lord.

 

I am the father of 4 daughters, and I actually wish I could make it a requirement to masturbate 10 times before they come to take them on a date. I think that effort would likely take most (if not all) of their physical desires away.

 

If you can figure out who this is, give me a call, I want to talk to you about the meeting.   

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (67 days 2 hours ago.)

Well, Sir, I would imagine that your solution could be described as one way of beating fornication.

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» left by Anonymous from DENVER, CO (58 days 10 hours ago.)

Wow, some of the comments on here are 'wow factors'.

     I had a long talk with my pastor where my fiance and I are trying to do this God's way this time. See we had been broken up 2 times now and said we can't do this alone this time. We love each other deeply, but always fell short of God when it came to sex. Our pastor told us we would have to make commitment and stick to it. He said that our lives together would be blessed if we abstained from sexual behavior. Now, I was all willing, but my fiance was scared. He told me later that night on the phone that he didn't think he could handle it if he couldn't at least 'take care of himself'. I than, with no answer to whether or not it was okay, told him I would gently ask my pastor what to do. I emailed him the next day.

     He commended me on the guts it took to ask such an embarrassing question. He than said the same thing you did; that there was no where in the Bible stating that it was a sin to masturbate. He did, however, make special note that it's only okay if it's not sinful, meaning no pornography was used or thoughts of anyone else but me (his fiance). He also said mutual masturbation was wrong, which in turn I think he meant touching each other and/or being in the same room while doing it.

 

It's great to hear that others say the same things. --DENVER, CO (yep it's me)

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» left by Mark Parsec ^(34,520)
Mark Parsec (58 days 9 hours ago.)

Hi Denver, It's good to see you again! I'm glad that the article was validation for you. Please, feel free to read some more and don't forget to rank the articles. And, while you're at it, join SearchWarp and my fan club! I'd love to hear from you some more. God bless you.

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