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 secrets and thoughts. He or she usually knows 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) and are experiencing sexual pleasure that should be experienced with your husband or wife in a committed relationship. It falls into unlawful sex, 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 for perfection.
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– Nope. 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 Spiritual sense: God created sex and sexual pleasure for a husband and wife. 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.
Also, have you ever thought about the dark entities you 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
Hmm… 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 sexual 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. Now, there are other scenarios we could explore and discern, but I can’t cover every possibility in this piece.
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.
