Is masturbation wrong? When I was a teenager, we talked about this at church, and I figured it was only wrong if you thought about someone while doing the act, but I’ve come to realize that… Well, let’s first explore what sex symbolizes and what is meant for.
What is the Purpose of Sex (or Love Making)?
Well, love making is a symbol of the intimacy Christ’s Bride has with God (Songs of Solomon); it symbolizes the oneness we have with him through Jesus Christ, our mediator (1 Corinthians 6:17, Romans 12:5). And if you have a real relationship with Christ, you will produce fruit (John 15:8) (Matthew 7:20). So God created sex for intimacy, an expression of love, oneness, and for being fruitful on earth (Genesis 1:28).
A relationship with God can also be blissful at times. You can feel this during sex and with your mate in your day to day life. We reveal ourselves and confess our sins to God, and you also reveal yourself to your husband or wife when naked and with secret thoughts. He or she may know you better than anyone else. But God knows you better than anyone will ever know you.
But when you masturbate, you are feeding the desires of your flesh (Galatians 5:19). You are experiencing sexual pleasure that should be experienced with your husband or wife as we see in 1 Corinthians 7:2. It falls into unlawful sex, fornication (porneia), which we are commanded not to do. Masturbation may also dilute the sexual experience that you have with your wife or husband when you do get married. Of course, God can always fix and mend issues, but we should strive to be holy because it was commanded we do so (1 Peter 1:16).
But some say otherwise.
Some Say This, Some Say That
Now, some people say that masturbation is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, so that would make it a gray area. Humans and satan create gray areas. With God, something is either wrong or right (and we know some things are simply choices that God gives us to choose as we please, such as wearing black or gray or being a vegan or meat eater, etc)
There are many things the Bible doesn’t specifically say, but that does not mean we cannot find out answers to some of life’s questions. We shouldn’t be quick to throw things into the abused “matter of opinion” category simply because we lack Biblical understanding. That’s arrogant and prideful. We need to make sure there is No Biblical principle or scriptures that can provide clarity. We do this with a careful study of scripture. If you are Christian, you should be walking in the Spirit. If you do this, you will not satisfy the desires of the flesh, even if you cannot find a specific verse about a specific subject. (Galatians 5:16)
And you might you see…
Masturbation, a Form of Homosexuality?
As mentioned earlier, some believe that masturbation is okay when you do not bring in someone else (with your mind); they believe it is okay to simply enjoy the sexual pleasure.
Well, lets just think about this for a moment and use Biblical sense: God created sex and sexual pleasure for a husband and wife as mentioned earlier. When you masturbate–it is a form of sex, so you are having sex with yourself–if I can put it bluntly. That is a form of homosexuality, which God doesn’t condone as we see in Leviticus 20:13. He confirms he still does not approve of this in Romans 1:26-27. I know this is a touchy subject in today’s political climate, but God’s people should not change with the world. The Word speaks for itself. We can either listen and obey or shut our ears to the truth.
And, what about the dark entities that one may attract?
Masturbation = orgy?
Okay, let’s say it is just you in the act:
{> Possibly Satan or his minions
{>Yourself with Yourself
If you bring someone else into your sexual act (with your soul/mind), you have included:
{> Possibly Satan or his minions
{>Yourself with Yourself
{>The Person you are Fantasying About
Remember that Jesus said a person can commit adultery in the heart and not even touch someone (Matthew 5:28), so when you bring a person in your mind, you are still committing fornication or adultery.
So, what do you think? Is anything becoming clearer now? You might be thinking: What about in the confines of marriage?
Masturbation Within Marriage?
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. ~Hebrews 13:4
Some believe that if their husband or wife is not around, it is perfectly fine to think about their spouse and touch themselves sexually. Others believe it is also okay to masturbate during sexual acts with their spouses. I actually was not sure of this when I got married. So I talked to God, meditated on His Word, and prayed for discernment.
I studied many passages throughout the Bible. (The whole Bible is exploring this romance between man and God.) I realized we cannot do whatever we want in a sexually immoral way. Touching yourself is still a form of perversity, and you are bringing a form of homosexuality and adultery onto the marriage bed. It’s like you are cheating on your spouse with yourself as you touch your body in a sexual manner. The one that should touch you during sexual sessions is your husband or wife.
Just remember that if your spouse is away and you start longing for him or her sexually (emotionally, or physically), focus on your first love, God. He can definitely help you get through any sexual frustration until your spouse comes back. Besides, I’ve noticed that waiting builds up a lot of good, sexual tension = good lovin.
Shalom,
Photo Credit with modification.
