Is Masturbation a Sin?

Christians are Divided on the Issue of Masturbation.

“Is it wrong for a Christian to masturbate? There is probably no more controversial a question in the field of sex than this.” Tim LaHaye

Christians are divided over the issue of masturbation. In Samuel Perry's book "Addicted to Lust" https://amzn.to/2OgMZW5 he shows the research on why Christians can't agree on the topic of Masturbation. When it comes to the issue of pornography, Christians are united. “I have not found one person make an allowance for the possibility that watching pornography might be morally acceptable.” (Page 39)

But the division over masturbation comes down to the perspective of Biblicism. Christians only feel confident about an issue that has clear Biblical direction. Is the Bible silent on masturbation? This video explores the arguments for and against Masturbation for the Christian.

#Christianity #PurityCulture This is part two of a six part series looking into the content of the book “Addicted to Lust'“.

I have never been on the side of arguing that masturbation is OK for Christians. I believe God’s design for sex is to be self-giving in marriage and masturbation is a self-focus driven behavior. It is often paired with lustful thinking and therefore leading us into sexual immorality. I don’t argue with someone who says they can masturbate without lustful thinking. I can’t be sure what’s going on in their head, but for me it was always paired with lustful thinking. I believe the better path is to pursue abstinence.

One argument against masturbation is that it is training you to be a poor lover in an actual God-honoring married sexual relationship. The focus of masturbation is on self-pleasure and the is habit forming. For someone who says they will stop masturbating when they are married, in what way will marriage solve the built in habit of masturbation when the urge hits? Marriage is not the solution to sexual temptation and there will be long periods of time in marriage when sex is not an option, like pregnancy or separation during periods of travel.

Masturbation can lead to you “becoming enslaved: The neurochemicals released during masturbation have the same addictive effect as drugs. Single men who think that masturbation helps relieve their sexual desire before marriage set themselves up for addiction that will continue in their marriage. Don’t be deceived. If God is not enough for you when you’re single, your wife will not be enough for you when you’re married” (The Conquer Series Study Guide, page 84).

Tim LaHaye on the topic of masturbation for Christians

“…the consensus of virtually all pastors I interviewed and writers I surveyed is that the Bible does not contain any explicit teaching on masturbation” (Addicted to Lust, Page 43). So is there any Biblical support to help with this controversy? Romans chapter eight details the mind set on the flesh:

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5, ESV)

 I would counsel the Christian to take this controversy directly to God and pray for discernment. I do not believe that Christians need to masturbate and I believe there’s a strong Biblical case for disciplining your body away from gratifying the flesh:

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14, ESV)

Masturbation is a self-centered practice going against God’s design for sexuality