Is Masturbation a Sin in The Bible?

Is masturbation a sin in the Bible or is it ok? Nope! It’s not okay. Though this might seem like an obvious question, it isn’t. Most teens and adult Christians are not decided when it comes to masturbation.

What is Masturbation?

Masturbation is the act of an individual stimulating their genitals for sexual pleasure, which may or may not lead to orgasm.

Masturbation is common among men and women of all ages and research indicates that 74% of males and 48% of females aged 14-17 masturbates in the United States. In adults, around 63% of men and 32% of women aged between 57 and 64 masturbate. Of these figures, Christians are also included, and the question “is masturbation a sin in the Bible?” is a common one in youth and couples’ seminars. Since the word “masturbation” is not in the Bible; many religions have different views of masturbation.

To mature Christians who understand the Bible principles of holiness, masturbation is a sin that needs no Biblical proof: a mature Christian is one who is fully filled with the Holy Spirit and walks in Christ’s footprints. To the young believers and other religious leaders, masturbation is just a “normal part of adolescence which involves no one else and not a direct sin to God!”

This article provides an answer to the most burning questions in youths and adults seminars: is masturbation a sin in the Bible?

8 Side effects that prove masturbation is a sin in the Bible

Before we find out Biblical proof as to whether masturbation is a sin in the Bible or not, let’s first find out what is the health side effects associated with masturbation. Research confirms that people masturbate for pleasure, fun, enjoyment, and tension release; and while others masturbate alone, some do so with a partner. The following are the side effects:

Frequent masturbation within a short space of time causes swelling of the penis called edema.
Feeling of guilt.

Leads to pornography addiction.
Decreased sexual sensitivity.
Disrupting daily life.

Risk of prostate cancer.
Addiction and enslavement.
Loss of strength and impotence.

Leads to homosexuality and lesbianism.

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Reasons Why Masturbation is a sin in the Bible:

Sin in the Bible is as going against the law of God.

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4.

The first human to sin was Eve in the Garden of Eden. She committed a sin by directly disobeying what God had commanded concerning the fruit of the Knowledge of good and evil.

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Genesis 1:16:17

When man disobeyed this command, the result was death for all mankind. From the verse above, we see a direct command from God concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; however, when it comes to masturbation, there’s no direct command on it. In fact, the word “masturbation” is not found in the Bible. This has led to some Christian leaders having differing views on whether masturbation is a sin in the Bible.

The following are Bible verses that define masturbation as a sin in the Bible:

Genesis 38:8-10 Shows that Masturbation is a sin in the Bible

Then Judah said to Onan, “Lie with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did was sinful in the LORD’s sight; so he put him to death also.

Masturbation is an act of self-gratifying by touching or caressing the reproductive organs until the climax, that is, ejaculation. This is mostly done when alone and when a man does this, he ejaculates outside of the female reproductive organ as intended by God. This is what Onan did and it was sinful in the LORD’s sight. Some Bible scholars argue that God killed Onan because he refused to produce offspring for his dead brother. However, that is not so because Judah told Onan to lie to his brother’s wife. Disobeying this was not disobeying God. In other words, this was not a direct order or command from God! Onan sinned against God when he spilled his semen on the ground!

Deuteronomy 23:10: Indicates that Masturbation is a sin in the Bible

“If there one of your men is unclean because of a nocturnal emission he is to go outside the camp and stay there.”

In this verse, we see that emitting sperm is unclean. While sex is honorable in marriage, masturbation is a dirty act.

Matthew 5:28: Jesus Prooved masturbation is a sin in the Bible

“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

To be able to masturbate, you must harbor sexual lusts in the mind so you may get sexually aroused. This is done by watching erotic imagery like porn or lusting at a person in your mind. Research confirms that people who masturbate regularly may capture an erotic scene during a particular time, and replay the scene in their mind as they masturbate so they can arouse themselves and ejaculate. This confirms that masturbation is a sin in the Bible.

From the verse above, adultery or fornication is not only physically engaging in sex, but by just looking lustily at a woman, one commits sexual sin. As a Christian, you must yearn to be full of the Holy Spirit, and only then will you be able to comprehend this powerful verse that was intended for all sexual sins including pornography.

When you are Spirit-filled, your thoughts should be holy and controlled. 2 Corinthians 10:5, James 1:14-15. When your thoughts are holy, there will be no room for sexual or lustful thoughts thus; no masturbation.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”Philipians 4:8-9.

As a Christian, you should aim to live a life free of any false thoughts, wrong thoughts, impure thoughts, sinful thoughts, etc. and by so doing, you won’t find yourself masturbating.

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Can you give glory to God by masturbating? Research has shown that masturbation can make you feel guilty and fear to face the world confidently.

Galatians 5:22-24 Is another verse that shows masturbation is a sin in the Bible

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

Note: Patience and self-control are fruits of the Holy Spirit. Most unmarried Christians engage in masturbation because they lack patience and self-control. When in courtship, you should have the patience that sex will come after the marriage ceremony. Have self-control and avoid burning with lust when with or without the other partner.

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Conclusion: Is masturbation a sin in the Bible when done with absolutely no lust…?

Since you must be sexually aroused to ejaculate, it obviously impossible to masturbate without having lustful and immoral thoughts in your mind. Therefore, there’s no way you can masturbate without having lust in your heart!

Finally, although the only penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23) there is hope when we confess and repent from the heart. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. For free online Christian counseling on how to overcome masturbation and any other addiction, CLICK THIS LINK NOW!