Q.

A.

You ask if masturbation is a sin. Based solely on this question, the assumption is that you know that sin is "missing the mark" and "falling short" of God's commandments for our lives – and God fully explains the boundaries for our lives in His Word. Also, because you asked if it is a "sin" – another assumption is that you do not want to sin – and that you want to please your Creator. Thank you for visiting our web site and taking time to ask us this question. You did not provide any information about yourself…

• are your female?
• are you male?
• are you attending church?
• do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Now to address this important question:

Sexuality is a Language

Our Creator ordained it to be a means of communication – addressed to your spouse ( future spouse). But when one masturbates the person is directing this language to oneself... which is mere lust. Masturbation is sin. It is conforming to the world's way of "getting by" or "getting over." It calls out for more and more because lust can never be satisfied. What does God say in His Word about lust?

Helpful Scripture References

2 Timothy 2:22

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

1 Peter 4:3

You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy– their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

2 Peter 2:14

They commit adultery with their eyes, and their lust is never satisfied. They make a game of luring unstable people into sin. They train themselves to be greedy; they are doomed and cursed.

1 John 2:16

For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.

Silence

Masturbation is silence – mute isolation. No communication, no relationship emerges from it. The person speaks to no one and gives to no one; he only takes something for himself. There is no gain in this form of taking. The person takes something for himself which he desires – and fears will be withheld from him. Once you can say to yourself: I am able to renounce it, I no longer have to live under the compulsion of continually taking away something from myself – then you will discover a new inner joy and sense of freedom. The Bible calls "renouncing" fasting. A person fasts from something that is allowed, not from something that is forbidden. In renouncing the allowable, you acquire the ability to renounce the forbidden! By asking your Creator to help you with this addictive behavior and lustful thinking -- He will help you and give you the strength to overcome.

Fantasizing

A danger of fantasizing (this does play a part in masturbation) is that it may become a necessity in order to get "turned on." Later on in marriage one may be unable to really encounter one's partner because his reality does not correspond with these fantasies. This behavior is so strong and if it is not controlled now – it carries over into the marriage and then what was a substitute for the real thing is now a bondage of agony. Also our imaginations may drive us into actions against our better judgment. What is the bottom line answer? If you are participating in this behavior – immediately stop. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior – you can cease this behavior through the power of the Holy Spirit living within you. Renew your mind with the things and attributes of God... and fix your mind – moment by moment – on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Commit this to the Lord and then mediate on His Word (daily read, memorize, and apply it). This is the most excellent way – and keeping in every close communication with God in this manner will keep your mind on Christ Himself, how He is working in your life, and it will keep your mind off these urges. Satan can torment an empty mind. When the mind is consumed with praise and worship – Satan will flee!

Examine Yourself

What are you watching on television? Where are you going? What are your conversations like? What are you searching for on the Internet? Who are your friends? Do you have a scheduled, committed time to pray and listen to the Lord, your Savior? God loves you and wants to spend time alone with you. His voice is quiet and it is important that you recognize His voice – so that when you are not alone and you encounter loud distractions outside of you – you can still hear His voice. God is the only power from within that is stronger than the influences outside of you!

Before this response was sent to you – we have already prayed for you... and for you to be released from these thoughts and this sexual activity of self-pleasure.

We sincerely hope we have answered your question and your concerns. Please keep in contact with us to let us know how you are doing and if this response was helpful. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father...

(Colossians 1:11-12)