Masturbation...NOoOOOoooOOOoo...

[ChibiLi]

Smexasaur

So I have a guy-friend. His name is Josh.

I found out recently that he masturbates. When I walked in on him. eek

I ran out of the room of course, but before that day he told me he was Christian. So I spoke to him the next day about it, (Very uncomfortably) and he said that it's not a sin to masturbate, because you're relieving yourself of sexual urges that the devil is giving you. He called it 'cleansing.'

What do you think I should tell him?

Masturbation is a sin, right?

No because it's sex with yourself not with other people. Actually, it's more of a natural occurance as to what humans do when there is no other way of well...>.> sexually relieving yourself.

 

[ChibiLi]

Lady Kayura

Enigma in a Scribble

If masturbation causes you to lust then cut it off.

And if it doesn't?

Exacly.

 

[soulreaper24]

Mein Kulturkampf

etchedspirit

Smexasaur

So I have a guy-friend. His name is Josh.

I found out recently that he masturbates. When I walked in on him. eek

I ran out of the room of course, but before that day he told me he was Christian. So I spoke to him the next day about it, (Very uncomfortably) and he said that it's not a sin to masturbate, because you're relieving yourself of sexual urges that the devil is giving you. He called it 'cleansing.'

What do you think I should tell him?

Masturbation is a sin, right?

Uh....Ok, Masturbation is a sensitive subject to say if it's wrong or not, uh...Personally I think it is kinda wrong and people shouldn't do it. My mother on the other hand (yes my mother) says that she doesn't think it's wrong as long as your not lusting over it or someone if and when you do it........When I heard this I was like ehh.....no i still think it's wrong but whatever.
If your friend 'relieves' himself of that sexual urge then all he's doing is giving in to the devil's tempations.... All masturbation creates is false expectations, so when you get married you might think that it will feel this |---------------------------------------------| good, when in reality, it might just be |----------------------------| this good. It's the same with watching porn, but that's it's own deal altogether
But all this is actually "natural". It's gonna happen whether the person know or thinks it's a sin or not. Best thing is to pray to God and ask for strength to help break the habit

Okay, first off, I would like you to find one guy who has had both his right hand AND another person, and thinks that the hand is better. I can guarantee you, you won't find one.

That said, I feel masturbation is completely natural. Ultrasounds have shown fetii masturbating in the womb, babies do it from about the same day they figure out they can move their hands past their stomach, small children will do it without seeing a thing wrong with it, simply because it feels good. It releases dopamines into the brain, calming and relaxing the person. I've read about tribes in Africa where the mothers will masturbate crying children to calm them down.

As for your friend's notion of "cleansing", he could have chosen a better way to describe it, but in essence, it is correct. If you don't masturbate for a few days, your lust and self-control in regards to it go completely out of whack. I've read dozens of testimonials from people who gave up masturbating, and days or weeks later, found themselves climbing happily into bed with their girlfriends, boyfriends, friends, or people they met off the street. They could easily control their lusts towards people when they were masturbating, but without that, they have no outlet for those sexual urges.

To etchedspirit, I have a question: why is it still wrong if no lust is involved? Isn't lust supposed to be at the root of every kind of sexual immorality?

While I feel for you (It's VERY uncomfortable to walk into a room and find your friend/s naked, as I found out a few months ago. @_@ Especially when you have this sneaking suspicion that you might be at the root of it.), I can't really tell you to do anything about it but accept him for it. ^-^;

Any questions for me? (I've researched the matter fairly thoroughly.)

i have to agree with Mein Kulturkampf its only natural guys start to feel urges sorta like girls and there "times" if u will. im not that shure if bible even says anything about it.  

[PhaseBurn]

soulreaper24

i have to agree with Mein Kulturkampf its only natural guys start to feel urges sorta like girls and there "times" if u will. im not that shure if bible even says anything about it.

Quite right. Some guys can't resist those urges. Others can, but don't want to. Since there's no statement that clearly defines "Yes it is a sin" or "No it is not a sin", trust his judgement. Let him have his fun for now. Just because you can't enjoy your body in that way doesn't mean he shouldn't be allowed to enjoy his.

For what it's worth, it's been proven that babies, infants, and young children masturbate, albeit usually not to climax. They don't understand what's going on or why, they just know that it feels good to touch themself down there (link).  

[SilentNinjaFox]

O.K. So I'm not a member here. I was looking at Christian guilds and I saw this topic in the forum and went ".... I'm just curious enough to click," which tends to get in trouble quite a bit. sweatdrop I was surprised to find how many people accept masturbation as ok when it isn't.

The idea of using it to relieve sexual urges and to avoid lust is a good motive. However, part of what makes it wrong is actually found in where the Bible talks about sexual immorality. Seeking sexual satisfaction outside of marriage is wrong. The Bible is clear on this. While that concept is generally applied to adultery, it can be applied to masturbation because it too seeks to satisfy sexual desires outside of marriage. Sex is more than an act between two people; it is something deep and spiritual between a man and woman. Mark 10:7-8 "7'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh.'So they are no longer two, but one." The phrase "so they are longer two, but one" implies that the unity remains after they have consummated their marriage. Adultery is a sin because it defiles this unity. Masturbation defiles marriage too because it gives the option for a person to look towards someone besides their spouse, namely themselves, for sexual satisfaction. Point being, don't look for sexual satisfaction outside of marriage regardless of whether you are single or married.

I saw a couple people mention how babies will masturbate. That fact of life does not make the action ok but rather confirms the fact that we are sinful from our very conception (see Psalm 51:5). If we looked at all the "natural" things that we do as children and justify them then it would be ok to lie, steal (or not share :p ), be selfish, etc. We can't trust what feels natural as being what is right. Our nature is towards sin. We can't trust and do what feels good. We have to work in the knowledge of Christ and in the power of His spirit, knowing what is right and trusting in Him to guide our way. We live in dual existance of our sinful nature struggling against our new found life in Christ. Paul talks about this struggle in Romans 7.

Back to the matter at hand, here's a really good article on the subject: http://www.rbc.org/bible_study/answers_to_tough_questions/answers/30915.aspx

As a note, I totally understand how hard it is to deal with sexual urges but if you're struggling with this, pray. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  

[Enigma in a Scribble]

SilentNinjaFox

O.K. So I'm not a member here. I was looking at Christian guilds and I saw this topic in the forum and went ".... I'm just curious enough to click," which tends to get in trouble quite a bit. sweatdrop I was surprised to find how many people accept masturbation as ok when it isn't.

The idea of using it to relieve sexual urges and to avoid lust is a good motive. However, part of what makes it wrong is actually found in where the Bible talks about sexual immorality. Seeking sexual satisfaction outside of marriage is wrong. The Bible is clear on this. While that concept is generally applied to adultery, it can be applied to masturbation because it too seeks to satisfy sexual desires outside of marriage. Sex is more than an act between two people; it is something deep and spiritual between a man and woman. Mark 10:7-8 "7'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh.'So they are no longer two, but one." The phrase "so they are longer two, but one" implies that the unity remains after they have consummated their marriage. Adultery is a sin because it defiles this unity. Masturbation defiles marriage too because it gives the option for a person to look towards someone besides their spouse, namely themselves, for sexual satisfaction. Point being, don't look for sexual satisfaction outside of marriage regardless of whether you are single or married.

I saw a couple people mention how babies will masturbate. That fact of life does not make the action ok but rather confirms the fact that we are sinful from our very conception (see Psalm 51:5). If we looked at all the "natural" things that we do as children and justify them then it would be ok to lie, steal (or not share :p ), be selfish, etc. We can't trust what feels natural as being what is right. Our nature is towards sin. We can't trust and do what feels good. We have to work in the knowledge of Christ and in the power of His spirit, knowing what is right and trusting in Him to guide our way. We live in dual existance of our sinful nature struggling against our new found life in Christ. Paul talks about this struggle in Romans 7.

Back to the matter at hand, here's a really good article on the subject: http://www.rbc.org/bible_study/answers_to_tough_questions/answers/30915.aspx

As a note, I totally understand how hard it is to deal with sexual urges but if you're struggling with this, pray. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Amen, utterly amen. You hit the nail perfectly on this matter... lol  

[Trix Starlight]

No where in the bible does it say masterbation is a sin.  

[Mein Kulturkampf]

SilentNinjaFox

O.K. So I'm not a member here. I was looking at Christian guilds and I saw this topic in the forum and went ".... I'm just curious enough to click," which tends to get in trouble quite a bit. sweatdrop I was surprised to find how many people accept masturbation as ok when it isn't.

The idea of using it to relieve sexual urges and to avoid lust is a good motive. However, part of what makes it wrong is actually found in where the Bible talks about sexual immorality. Seeking sexual satisfaction outside of marriage is wrong. The Bible is clear on this. While that concept is generally applied to adultery, it can be applied to masturbation because it too seeks to satisfy sexual desires outside of marriage. Sex is more than an act between two people; it is something deep and spiritual between a man and woman. Mark 10:7-8 "7'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh.'So they are no longer two, but one." The phrase "so they are longer two, but one" implies that the unity remains after they have consummated their marriage. Adultery is a sin because it defiles this unity. Masturbation defiles marriage too because it gives the option for a person to look towards someone besides their spouse, namely themselves, for sexual satisfaction. Point being, don't look for sexual satisfaction outside of marriage regardless of whether you are single or married.

Actually, I take the opposite interpretation. God allows sex within marriage because he sees married couples as one person. He allows masturbation because it is one person.  

[Lass Kyon]

<3

Masturbation is not a sin. End of discussion.

<3

 

[RockJoe32X]

I have a strong conviction on the subject of masturbation: it is a sin. I have this conviction because as a Christian, I struggle constantly with with it (along with lust), and unfortunately have fallen into this sin.

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Matthew 5:21-22

Jesus goes to the source of all things that cause sin in Matthew 5: the heart. Here, Jesus explains the old law, where Moses said, "Do Not Murder". But Jesus goes straight to the heart: anger itself is murder, just as lust in itself is adultery (Matthew 5:27-30). For me, if anger is the root of the sin, then murder is the by-product. To God, both are evil things. One is the thought and emotion; the other is the action. Jesus makes it clear.

So it's the same thing with lust: it is the thought/emotion, and masturbation is one of the end-actions. They are evil to God.

What does God say?

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15-16

God wants us to be Holy. I don't think that masturbation is a sign of being Holy; rather, it is a sign of no self-control. Also,

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any man has a bodily discharge, the discharge is unclean. Whether it continues flowing from his body or is blocked, it will make him unclean. This is how his discharge will bring about uncleanness...
Leviticus 15:1-3

If you read the chapter, it is all about how bodily discharges make a person "unclean". True, there are Old Testament teachings that we have been freed from through Christ (circumcision for example), but the reason behind these laws, as well as the spiritual intent of God, can be seen: to keep his people Holy. Cleanliness is a trait of Holiness.

God wants His Kingdom to be full of Holy, Clean, and Pure Disciples. I do not believe masturbation leads to this. The thought that masturbating without a lustful thought is far-fetched. And even if you are not having lustful thoughts, the act itself is selfish, that is, it is done to satisfy the bodily desires, but not the desires of the Spirit of God.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Cor 6:18-20

One of the important points Paul points out to us is this: you are not your own, you were bought at a price! And that price is the blood of Jesus on the Cross. It is not your body! But rather God's body you are living in; He has made it His temple. You should try your VERY BEST to keep it Holy.

Finally, I think there are some who say that masturbation is not a sin, because I feel they themselves are caught up in the act; they may be afraid of admitting to it, and of confessing to it.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

I am sorry if I am harsh, but I do feel strongly when topics of sin are being discussed. Sin leads to death, and anyone playing with it only plays with fire; they will burn themselves eventually.

I myself am not claiming to be without sin; I have fallen many times in my walk with God. But I keep on fighting; that is the important part for me. I do love God, and I pray every day to Him to help me through my temptations.

I will pray for all who are suffering through sin, that they may be healed and not be slaves to it. biggrin  

[Manual Calavera]

Mein Kulturkampf

I would like you to find one guy who has had both his right hand AND another person, and thinks that the hand is better. I can guarantee you, you won't find one.

Actually, if they talked to me, they'd have found one. My first girlfriend raped me, but after that I figured I didn't need to resist, so I had sex with her voluntarily.

I prefer my hand.